THING TO DO

This act is known as "Sai Bat" or "Tak Bat". Every morning at dawn, Buddhist monks and novices in orange robe set out from their monasteries to receive offerings of food from the local people. The offerings consist mainly of sticky rice which devotees wake up before dawn to cook. But sometimes offering food may contain fruit or other sweet treats, forming the monks' daily meal. With more than 30 active Buddhist monasteries in Luang Prabang, the long column of monks walking silently and barefoot to receive their alms from people kneeling before them is certainly a sight to behold. The alms giving ceremony occurs not only in Luang Prabang, but in villages and towns throughout Laos

Luang Prabang night market is a must-experience. It's an amazing sight and offers the most extensive collection of handicrafts in the country. With around 250 handicraft vendors who sell their hand-made products nightly, the market showcases an extensive variety of handicrafts made by local ethnic groups. On display are many types of textiles, exquisite ceramics, antiques, paintings, coffee and tea, quilts, shoes, silver, bags, ornaments and cutlery made from recycled bombs. There are a lot of interesting items on display at the night market that are hard to find elsewhere.

The view of the Mekong River and the city from the hill top is superb, especially during sunset. However, first you must climb 328 steps to see the 20m high Wat Chomsi stupa. Please note that Phousi temple on the top of the hill is a sacred religious site. Please dress accordingly and remember that the consumption of alcohol here is strictly prohibited.

Set in a spacious, beautifully attended garden on Thanon Sisavangvong, one of Luang Prabang's main boulevards is where you will find the Royal Palace Museum, which is also known as Haw Kham. This was originally the residence for the King of Lao. Here you will learn more about Lao history and culture. The main building dates from the early 20th Century but many exhibits stretch back several centuries to trace the turbulent past of the Lane Xang kingdom and the colonial era, through to the present day. The museum was designed in the French Beaux-Arts style with elements of traditional Lao culture. The Communists came to power in 1975 and they took over the palace and sent the royal family to re-education camps. The palace was then converted into a museum that was opened to the public in 1995 after careful renovation. There are several other buildings including a Exhibition hall and a chapel (Haw Prabang), and a statue of King Sisavangvong.

The Nam Ou joins the Mekong beneath a dramatic karst formation that, from some distance south, looks like a vast green eagle taking off. Facing it is the village of Ban Pak Ou, where a handful of river-front restaurants gaze out across the Mekong. On the other side (there's no bridge) are two famous caves cut into the limestone cliff. Both are crammed with Buddha images of various styles and sizes. A few steps from the river, the lower 'cave' is actually more of an overhang. A group of Buddha's pose perfectly as silhouettes against the grand riverine backdrop. To reach the upper cave, follow stairs to the left and climb for five sweaty minutes. This one is 50m-deep behind an old carved-wooden portal. If you didn't bring a torch (flashlight), you can borrow one for a suitable donation from a desk at the front. Appealing as the scene may be, the caves themselves are less of an attraction for many visitors than the Mekong boat trip from Luang Prabang to get here. Be aware that you'll see the exact same stretch of river should you do a Luang Prabang–Pak Beng boat trip. Between January and April, villagers along the Mekong sandbanks en route pan for gold using large wooden platters. Whether by road or by boat, most visitors en route to Pak Ou stop at the 'Lao Lao Village' Ban Xang Hay where the narrow footpath-streets behind the very attractive wat are full of weavers' looms, colourful fabric stalls and a few stills producing the wide range of liquors sold.

Become a mahout for the day, bathe with an elephant, or ride one of these beautiful beasts through the jungle. There are many elephants camps, with different ethical approaches, to visit in Luang Prabang. But the country is home today to fewer than 1000 Asian elephants, and many traditional mahout families, once dependent upon the timber industry, can no longer afford to feed or care for the animals. Elephant Sanctuaries and Centres provide veterinary care and a way for mahouts to earn money for their families and keep elephants alive and healthy. Many of the centres offer opportunities for you can bathe, watch, feed or ride these majestic animals; along the way, you'll witness the intimate and incredible relationship between mahouts and elephants.

The Nam Khan and its tributaries are great for kayaking. In a kayak you'll float past river life slowly and at your leisure. Occasional rapids — depending on the season — may require some concentration and preparation, but kayaking is among the most serene ways to get a look at ordinary life along the river. Kayaking tours range from easy afternoon paddles down the Nam Khan to multi-day excursions on the Nam Ou, and tour operators often combine these trips with homestays, camping, trekking, and biking. To learn more, have a look at tour operators in town (mostly located on the main street).

Want to fly through the jungle canopy? Hundred Family Waterfall, Nahm Dong Park of zipline that takes you straight over the beautiful blue pools below. Guides will help you with the harnesses and the safe departure from platforms about 10 meters above the ground. Gear up, clip on, keep your eyes open, and go! To learn more, have a look at tour operators in town (mostly located on the main street).

One of the best way to appreciate the abundance of natural beauty that surrounds Luang Prabang is trekking with a local guide. Many options exist, from difficult hikes across challenging terrain to leisurely walks through the countryside. Trekking pathways often crisscross the traditional routes between ethnic villages in Laos, offering you the chance to experience traditional rural life and meet locals. You'll never forget the views of mountains, rice plateaus, and dramatic sweeping valleys.

The people of Ban Chan ('pottery village') have been using traditional methods to make pottery for centuries. The story goes that the first king of Laos, back in the 16 th century, held a big celebration after winning a battle. He asked different villages to bring different things to the party. He requested the people of Ban Chan bring clay pots. Now, many, many generations later, the families of Ban Chan still carry on this tradition – pulling the clay from the earth on site and using their hands to create beautiful vessels.

Learn about rural life in Laos with this guided half-day visit to an organic farm. You'll be picked up at your guesthouse and ferried to The Living Land, a community tourism project, where you'll learn all about traditional farming and get to ride through rice paddies on a buffalo-drawn plough.

A wonderful way to gain insight into Lao culture is through the medium of the kitchen. You will not only gain knowledge about the components and dishes, but you will also learn about the significant relationship that Lao people have with food as well as the traditional manner in which they dine. A cooking class in Luang Prabang to learn some of the most delicious dishes that Lao cuisine has to offer. Get information from the chefs in the area, and then use that knowledge to make your favorite recipes back at home. Rainy days are a great opportunity to learn about Lao cuisine. Sign up for a fun, interactive cooking class and learn about the flavors of Laos by preparing traditional dishes such as sticky rice, laap (minced meat salad), and tam mak hoong (Lao papaya salad).

In the dry season the water at Kuang Si (pictured here) takes on a bluish hue, owing to the presence of minerals like copper. In the wet season the water is a deep green and you can hear the sound of the falls well before you can see them. Look for signs indicating pools for swimming; nearby, you'll find changing rooms. While in the Kuang Si Waterfall park, you should visit the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary. You can find great information about Asian sun and moon bears and the Free the Bears protection program.

Experience the enchanting beauty of Luang Prabang with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. As the sun begins to set, embark on a leisurely boat ride along the tranquil waters of the Mekong, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Marvel at the golden hues reflecting off the river, casting a magical glow over the landscape.