Things To Do In Luang Prabang, Laos

1. Visit the Kuang Si Waterfalls 

When visiting Luang Prabang, the Kuang Si Waterfalls, the largest falls in Luang Prabang, should be top of your list. Expect natural waterfalls, azure pools and beautiful clear turquoise water cascading down rocks. There are swimming spots and luscious green tropical trails to walk along, and benches placed in the shade for those who aren't so keen to swim. The falls are dense with greenery and luscious jungle which means the majority of the falls are under shade, making it the perfect spot to escape the heat and humidity for a few hours. When visiting, we took a tuk tuk there, but other alternatives are to rent out a moped and drive there yourself or take a mini-bus or boat ride. There is an admission fee of 20,000 kip (£2.00) which goes towards maintaining the paths and walkways. On your walk to the falls you will also pass through the famous bear sanctuary, where you will have the chance to see two Asian black bears that have been rescued from poachers!
To read all about my experience at the Kuang Si Falls, click here.

2. Relax at Utopia 

Utopia is a bar and restaurant on the riverside that is described as 'zen by day, groovy by night'. Boasting beautiful tropical gardens, riverside decks, a volleyball court and an airy jungle lounge, Utopia has become the number one stop for people travelling through Luang Prabang. In the day you can sit back and relax on the comfy cushions and beds overlooking the riverside, and at night you can expect to dance, drink and mingle with other travellers. Utopia offers a good, diverse menu and the food is very tasty - try one of their fruit shakes to give you an extra boost in the morning! There is a curfew of 11.30pm for all bars in Luang Prabang so make sure you get there early to find a spot and enjoy some drinks. It has become a bit of a trend to visit the bowling alley when Utopia closes - the bowling alley is the only place that stays open later. Find a group (there are always plenty of people flooding there), jump in a tuk tuk and enjoy some drunk bowling!

3. Go to the Handicraft Night Market

Compared to other markets and street events, the Luang Prabang Handicraft Night Market is a lot less crowded and nicer to walk around. The market is pretty big, selling souvenirs from beautifully crafted bags, blankets, lanterns and ash trays to jewellery and clothing - and it's all pretty cheap. The market also offers a range of different foods all of reasonable prices, from your traditional Laos dishes to more Western-based foods. There is a lovely buzz and atmosphere round the market; it's a great chance to try out some new street foods and pick up some handmade gifts. The market takes place between 5pm and 11pm every evening, closing off the whole street to vehicles. Be prepared to barter and haggle prices!