Luang Prabang is often called the ‘Heart of Laos’ and many visitors choose to come here instead of Vientiane as it is known for its gorgeous countryside and scenic views across the majestic Mekong River.

Luang Prabang also lies on the Nam Khan River, meaning that you can take to the water on a trip here and this is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which tells you everything you need to know about the splendor of the city.

Another reason to come to the city is to check out the temples as you will be spoilt for choice on a trip here and can take in the gorgeous religious architecture at almost every turn. If you want to get out of town, then you can find spots that include lush waterfalls and pools.

Here are the 25 best things to do in Luang Prabang…

1. Climb Phousi Mountain

One of the main attractions in Luang Prabang is Phousi Mountain.

To get to the top you will need to walk up some 355 steps to get to the viewing platform but from here you will be able to look out over the city and take in the views.

There is also a small temple at the summit of the mountain which is actually a small hill rather than anything too taxing.

With that in mind, it is well worth the trip to the top for the panoramic vistas of famous spots in Luang Prabang.

2. Tour Wat Manorom

Wat Manorom is said to be one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang and you and the signature feature is the main ordination hall which is also known as a sim in Lao.

Inside the sim you will find a statue of the Buddha which is made of bronze and said to date back to 1372, although it has been restored several times.

Getting to the wat is an adventure in itself as you have to walking through twisting streets to get to the main courtyard but it is more than worth the effort.

3. Trek to the Kuang Si Waterfalls

For many the highlight of a trip to Luang Prabang is the chance to visit the Kuang Si Waterfalls.

To get to the falls you can cycle through the countryside or sign up for a tour.

Once there you can trek through the jungle to the different falls which reveal themselves to you in stages.

There are also plunge pools at the base of the falls which are perfect for swimming in if you are hot after your hike.

The waters around the pools are known for their emerald green hue and you can watch families and monks taking in the scenery at the weekends.

4. Admire Wat Xieng Thong

Luang Prabang is known for its monasteries but none is more famous than Wat Xieng Thong.

This temple is known for its large ordination hall and the walls are adorned with intricate mosaics which have a tree of life mural in the center.

There are also a number of stupas here and some smaller chapels on the property, which means that you need to leave several hours to explore here to see everything.

There is also an image of the Standing Buddha and a Red Chapel which was built during the French colonial period which has an image of the Reclining Buddha.

5. Explore the rice fields

If you want to do something a little different in Luang Prabang then you need to visit Living Land Rice Farm which is on the outskirts of the city.

Here you can learn how rice is cultivated and harvested in Laos and you can have a go at walking through one of the many rice paddies here.

If you are feeling adventurous then you can even try ploughing a field with a water buffalo.

6. Take a cooking class

If you want to learn how to make delicious Laotian food then you need to take a cooking class while you are in Luang Prabang.

There are a number of different places where you can learn to cook, but one of the most famous is called Tamarind and you get to learn in an open kitchen which looks out over scenic fields.

There are a number of different classes that you can take but if you opt for one in the morning then this is also paired with a market trip so that you can learn all about the delicious local produce for which Laos is famous.

Some of the dishes that you can learn to make include laap or laab which is the national dish of Laos and is made of minced meat in a kind of salad.

You can also try your hand at making mok pa which is a kind of fish cooked in banana leaves.

7. Visit Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham has a rather long name so it is often just referred to by locals as Wat Mai.

This amazing monastery and temple is known for having a five tiered roof and the front patio has a series of gorgeous murals which show famous scenes from the life of the Buddha as well as the Ramayana.

This is also the home of the head of the Lao Buddhist faith who is known as the Sangharat so this is a very important spot in Laotian Buddhism.

8. Cross the river

Luang Prabang lies on the mighty Mekong but make sure that you take the time to get on a boat and jump across the river to the other side.

On the opposite side of the Mekong from Luang Prabang, you will find Wat Chompet which is a temple that sits on a hill and looks directly across to the city.

There are also a clutch of other temples here and some small caves if you want to spend the day exploring this side of Luang Prabang.

9. Tour Wat Sensoukaram

Wat Sensoukaram is known for its walls which are a deep crimson hue and are covered in gold leaf decorations.

As you would imagine, this makes it one of the prettiest temples in the city and it takes its name from the 100,000 Kip that it is said was used to build it from the ground up.

This may not sound like a lot now but it was a huge sum in the days of old, and this temple dates from 1718.

10. Get outside at Green Jungle Park

Some thirty-two kilometers outside of Luang Prabang you will find Green Jungle Park which is a great slice of greenery in the middle of the countryside.

One of the main activities here is zip lining and there are some 900 meters of zip lines to try out in the park.

As if that wasn’t enough you can also enjoy monkey bridges as well as rope lines which will let you check out the jungle canopy from above.

You will also find a nice cafe here and some gardens that make a good place to go for a stroll in the afternoon.

The park is also studded with limpid pools which make the perfect place to cool off in the afternoon.

The park is also known for its elephants which are all animals that were rescued or retired from the logging trade.