Things to do in Luang Prabang

17 activities, venues and outings in Luang Prabang, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Big Brother Mouse
A worthwhile organisation devoted to encouraging literacy in young adults and children. Depending on sponsorship and volunteers, it welcomes tourists to help with English conversation and reading practice. You can just hang out and chat with locals about whatever you like. They publish and distribute books in Lao and English. Consider buying some books to take as gifts to village children if you travel through Laos. They have another branch in Vientiane. Two, 2 hour conversation sessions per day. Lots of nice locally-written kids' story books available to buy, starting from 50 cents for their A6 size books.
09:00-11:00 & 17:00-19:00 daily
Do
Donate blood at the Lao Friends Hospital for Children
Lao Friends Hospital is the only free children's hospital in Laos, and they are chronically short of blood donors. Among the many children in the area who receive care, the volunteers at the hospital treat over 200 children with thalassaemia, a genetic condition which requires frequent blood transfusions in severe cases. If you are able to donate blood, consider doing it here. Conditions are clean, all equipment is single-use and sterile, and you get some snacks and a t-shirt for your trouble.
Closed · opens 10 am
Do
Elephant Village
It has 14 elephants. They are kept away from abusive work and cared by veterinarians, and seem well looked after and relaxed. Offers basic elephant rides, or 1 or 2 day mahout course where you learn the commands to control the elephant. You also get to wash the elephants in the Namkhan River which is a lot of fun.
Closed · opens 9 am
Do
MandaLao Elephant Conservation
The first non-riding elephant attraction in Laos. They offer three different tours (morning, afternoon, or all day) where you feed and walk elephants. A shuttle is provided from your hotel with and English guide. They seem genuinely concerned about elephant welfare and have programs to help change perceptions of elephants in Laos away from viewing them as purely beasts of burden. In the high season they do seem to book out a few weeks in advance. They do have an office in Luang Prabang.
US$80-150
Do
Nava Mekong Cruises
2 cruises on the Mekong with full meals. Pak Ou Cave cruise goes upstream, includes a visit to the "1000 Buddhas cave" (entrance fee included) and a whisky village, where passengers are given enough time to visit. Sunset cruise goes downstream, includes a traditional music and dance show.
10:00-14:00 & 17:00-19:00US$25-30
Do
P 70 Pottery, Cooking and Candle Making Classes
Moved in 2024 to this place with lovingly designed interior. Typical Lao dishes such as Laab or mango sticky rice. Asked for dietary requirements multiple times. Also offers pottery and candle making classes.
Half-day course for US$37 per person
Do Not mapped
Fair Trek Project
People who love activities and treks may find some interesting interactive tours which are designed to support villages outside of Luang Prabang in the north of Laos.
Do Not mapped
Hike or bike across the river in Chompet
Hike or bicycle alongside the river through a few small Hmong villages and past a few temples (10,000 kip admission) and a cave. Beware the children at the temples with the ticket-takers, especially at the temple with the white stairs leading to the water opposite Luang Prabang. They will swarm over tourists' backpacks, and money will later be found missing. Enquiries to police and village officials will not be fruitful. Island map
Do Not mapped
Lao Red Cross Sauna
A traditional Lao sauna and massage, very popular with locals in the afternoon.
Closed · opens 9 am1-hour massage 150,000 kip, massage with extra oils 180,000 kip, foot massage 150,000 kip, herbal sauna 25,000 kip (October 2025).
Do Not mapped
Lenou's Library
A great way to experience Lao village life without a tour bus. The owner started a library and children's English tutoring centre in his house a few years ago and since has been steadily expanding services with help from volunteers. Lenou sometimes organises dinners on the Num Ou river by request and generally seems to appreciate a helping hand.
Do Not mapped
Living Land Farm
Offers a "rice experience" tour, or you can just stop by this farm. If you visit without a tour, they will still show you around the farm, pointing out the organic vegetables and rice and showing you the traditional tools they use to process rice.
Do Not mapped
Rent a motorbike
Although prices are high by regional standards, riding around the surrounding areas of Luang Prabang is a fantastic way to see the countryside. Fuel for the whole day will cost around 20,000 kip. Common practice is the rental company retains your passport, so make sure they know when you leave and how to recover your passport (or find a shop that doesn't do this). Choose the rental agency carefully, keep the motorcycle safe and take your own lock. Some rental agencies, particularly Khamsay, have been widely accused of stealing bikes after they rent them out to tourists, then demanding US$2,500 compensation from the tourist. Research rental shops thoroughly before choosing one. Motorcycle accidents are common among visitors to the area, particularly on the road to Kuang Si falls. If you are not an experienced motorcyclist in your home country, do not rent a motorcycle in Luang Prabang.
US$20-25 per day
Do Not mapped
Tamnak Lao
They offer day and evening courses. For day class, there are 2 mandatory plus 5 optional dishes to choose from (choose only 3) for a total of 5 dishes plus demonstrations only on how to cook sticky rice and Lao chili paste (very good). Variation is not much as 4 of the 7 dishes presented require eggs (standard class). Instruction is no-nonsense and very fast paced, but Mr Lee, the instructor, is very helpful. It starts with demonstration, then hands on. All the dishes made are eaten, so it may be useful to bring a cooking and eating partner.
Closed · opens 10 am200,000-250,000 kip
Do Not mapped
The Bamboo Experience
Located in a village near rice paddy field and bamboo plantation. Not only you'll learn to cook Lao dishes using bamboo shoots as the main ingredient, but as well you'll learn what can be made out of bamboo, play with bamboo stilts, crossbow, attend a small music+dance show by a Hmong man, get a weaving lesson with a local craftsman & make your own small souvenir.
08:30-13:30 or 16:00-20:30336,000 kip, special rates for families & children
Do Not mapped
Tum Tum Cheng
Classes have more of a demonstration orientation, with participants helping instructors with various tasks. All courses can be booked at the relevant restaurants.
Half-day course for US$38
Do Not mapped
Tamarind
Lovely gardens by the water a short ride from the city.
Closed · opens 9 amSep 2016: 285,000 kip
Do Not mapped
Viewpoint Café and Restaurant
High quality Lao and Western food.
Closed · opens 7 am

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