Luang Prabang is a little Lao gem where the Mekong and Khan rivers meet. Steeped in history, it’s a perfect meeting of rivers and mountains, spirituality, and man-made creations, from serene temples to colonial shophouses. The World Heritage listed former capital, has somehow managed to hold on to its best qualities despite its growing popularity with travellers.

The magic may fade a little during the busiest months on the tourist calendar, when the town is overcrowded, but Luang Prabang has done an impressive job keeping the spirit of the riverfront and the town centre low-rise, and free of the tackiest trappings of mass tourism. That’s no small accomplishment in this part of the world.

Weather and when to visit

Luang Prabang has a tropical climate typical of Southeast Asia with several quite distinct seasons. Between November and January is the traditional time to go, when temperatures are mild. But this is also the season when tourist numbers are highest. Go in the rainy season (April-July and Sept-October), when 'rain' means a brief cleansing shower most afternoons, but otherwise lovely weather. If you visit in October, you shouldn't miss the Bun Awk Phansa boat races held on the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. Avoid March when temperatures are searing. The Lao New Year festivities (from 13 to 15 April) are a worthy draw, and the tradition of throwing water is delightful - and tonic.

Currency

The currency unit of Laos is Kips (Laos Kips/LAK). Its par values include 500 Kip, 1000 Kip, 2000 Kip, 5000 Kip, 10,000 Kip, 20,000 Kip, 50,000 Kip and 100,000 Kip. The exchange rate between USD and LAK is 1 dollar equals 8115 Kip. It’s not difficult for you to pay in USD and Thai Baht (THB), or you can also use Vietnamese money in some places where Vietnamese people live. In addition, visitors can exchange money at banks, airports and currency exchange offices in Luang Prabang.

How to travel to Luang Prabang?

By plane:

Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is located 4 km from the center of Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang International Airport serves domestic and international flights. Several international and domestic airlines operate scheduled flights to/from Luang Prabang Airport, including Lao Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, China Eastern Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Luang Prabang Airport Terminal provides various services, shopping, restaurant, information, currency exchange, ATM and transportation options.

By bus:

- Within Laos: The bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang takes about 10 hours and costs 150000 kips (18.38 USD) and has a few morning departures from Vientiane's Northern Bus Station. From Luang Prabang's Naluang (Southern) Bus Station, travelers can take a shared tuk-tuk ride to the town center for about 10.000 kips per person. A faster alternative to a public bus is minibus. You can buy a ticket from most travel agents and some guesthouses. The journey on a minibus is faster but they can also be pretty cramped. A minibus from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang takes 5 hours and costs 60000 kips (7.35 USD). From Vientiane, it takes about 7 hours and costs 150000 kips (18,38 USD).

- International bus: There are international buses from Hanoi, Vinh (Vietnam), Loei (Thailand), Kunming (China) to Luang Prabang. Prices and time depend on point of departure.

By boat:

One of the nicest and most popular ways to get to Luang Prabang is to cross the border at Chiang Khong in Thailand to Huay Xai and take a boat up or down the Mekong through spectacular and scenic countryside. If you take the slow boat, it will take 2 days and the journey costs 20 USD, with an overnight in the small town of Pakbeng.

If you want to spend considerably more money, but enjoy considerably more comfort, you can take a trip with Luang Say Cruise, which offers a 2-day or 3-day luxury Mekong jaunt going in both directions. The 2-day cruise leaves Luang Prabang on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in the high season and only Wednesdays and Saturdays in low season (May - September). There is an overnight at the Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng. This package costs 758 USD to 1,084 USD (for a double cabin), depending on the season. The 3-day option departs every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday in the high season, and on Tuesdays and Fridays in low season. It follows the same route with an extra overnight stop at the Kamu Lodge near an ethnic Kamu village. It costs between 970 USD and 1386 USD. Meals are included as is wine and coffee. The boat has a fully equipped bar, but drinks apart from tea and coffee are not included in the price.

Alternatively you can take a Lao speedboat. These are flat-bottom skiffs with an outsize outboard motor attached that propel you at alarming speed. You have to wear a helmet on these trips. Tickets can be bought at all travel agents and cost 400.000 kips (49 USD) to Huay Xai and 250.000 kips (30.64USD) to Pakbeng only.