Museums and galleries in Luang Prabang

Museums and galleries in Luang Prabang

1. See

   Heuan Chan Heritage House

   A museum with one of the few remaining pre-colonisation houses. It also features an area to dress in costumes, learn different crafting technique and quite a good cafe for lunch.

   Closed · opens 9 am·30,000 kip

2. See

   Phou Si Hill

   ພະທາດພູສີ

   Phou Si Hill dominates the city, and you can get a great view of the whole area from the summit. There are trails from both sides of the hill, including one just across the road from the Royal Palace/National Museum, and it's about 320 steps to the top. Sunrise and sunset are the most sensible and rewarding times to go. There is a near-panoramic view from the top. The ticket office closes at 18:30, so climbing to the top is virtually free afterwards, which gives you about 30 minutes before it gets dark. If you take the south path down, you'll go past several temples including one claiming to enshrine the Buddha's (rather large!) footprint.

   20,000 kip (children free)

3. See

   Royal Ballet Theatre

   ຫໍຄຳ Haw Kham

   Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening there is a show featuring one part of the Lao epic Phra Lak Phra Ram. The show is about an hour long and in Lao with story and dance sequences. There are Lao, English and French synopsis available at the ticket desk. The ticket desk opens at least 1/2 an hour before the show and is accessed by entering Royal Palace Museum entrance gate. The museum is closed at this time so entry is free. Curiously the ticket desk is not attended while the museum is open, although they do have the schedule and current ticket prices. Also, the website has a form for tickets, but they do not seem to respond to it.

   Oct-Mar: 18:00, Mar-Oct: 16:30·200,000 kip, 50% for children

4. See

   Royal Palace National Museum

   ຫໍຄຳ Haw Kham

   The former royal palace, now a national museum. It is not a national history museum however. You pass through the state rooms and the private rooms of the royal family and can see the collection of official cars. No photos, videos, bags, or shoes allowed, free locker provided. No bare shoulders, midriffs or knees; you can rent a cloth for 5,000 kip at the locker room if needed. Also on the grounds of the palace is the former royal temple.

   08:00-11:30 and 13:30-16:00·30,000 kip

5. See

   Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

   This small, but perfectly formed museum is dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Laos. Find out more about the groups that make Laos unique and enrich your visit to Luang Prabang. Closed on Mondays, and occasionally other times for exhibitions. On site shop and cafe, with an outlet shop close to the Ock Pop Tok shop.

   30,000 kip

6. Buy Not mapped

   Ock Pop Tok

   An ethical trading company with superb galleries. Also run classes and visits to village weaving facilities.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Luang Prabang (CC BY-SA 4.0).