Luang Prabang, also Luang Phabang, Luang Phrabang and Louang Phrabang is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. 

Vientiane  - Air-con VIP bus costs 115,000, more if booked through an agent. It should be noted that tickets purchased in Vientiane to Luang Prabang are more expensive than those purchased in Luang Prabang. Travelers have reported that the VIP bus can been a bit of bumpy ride, but is generally more reliable than the public bus. Those prone to motion sickness should know that this trip travels a winding, mountainous road. 

Slow boats leave every day, usually around 8-9AM. The trip to Huay Xai costs 220,000 kip (Dec. 2008)

Monks at dawn collecting alms of rice from kneeling villagers (and early-rising tourists). Ask your guesthouse host to assist you the day before in preparing if you'd like to get up and give alms in the morning.

Haw Kham — The former royal palace. lunch break closure from 11.30AM to 1.30p.

Kuang Si Falls — 29 km south of Luang Prabang. A large multi-stage waterfall, accessible by boat or truck hire.

Night market — The night market features vendors selling all the typical Lao arts and crafts, some more touristy than others, and is set up every day along the main street parallel to the river. Be warned that it closes down around 9PM

Pak Ou Caves — The famous "Buddha caves" are north of town on the Mekong and can be reached by road (approx 1 hr) or river boat (around 1.5 hrs). Alternatively, you can hire canoes and a guide for the day, which would allow you to view the beautiful scenery and visit the caves without throngs of other tourists. A candle or torch recommended to see the upper cave, as it is dark. 

Phou Si — The main hill in the city from which you have a good view of the whole area. Entrance fee 20,000 kip. 

Vat Xieng Toung — The oldest monastery in town and one of the most beautiful. Opens from 6AM - 6PM. Entry fee 20,000 kip.

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre — This small but perfectly formed museum is dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Laos

Free Tuk Tuk departs daily from both Ock Pop Tok Shops in town: 10am - 12 noon - 2pm. 

Cooking class. The best bet is at the Tamnak Lao restaurant. The cost is 250,000 kip for the day class (10AM-5PM) and an 200,000 kip for the evening class (5:30PM-8:30PM).

Lao Red Cross — A traditional Lao sauna and massage, very popular with locals in the afternoon. Th Wisunarat, in front of Wat Wisunalat. 1 hour massage 32,000 kip, sauna 10,000 kip. 

Rent a Motorbike — Although prices are astronomical by Southeast Asia standards ($17-$20 per day as of September 2009). It is recommeded to hire from the Government Tourist information centre. Tank up with gasoline worth 10,000 kip (a little more then US$ 1) for the whole day. As usual practise, they will keep your passport, so make sure they know when you leave and how to recover your passport, as saturdays and sundays they are fully closed and other days they have specific working hours. 

Vipassana temple and park — This golden temple, highly visible from Phou Si.

Bowling — There's a perfectly decent bowling alley a few kilometers away from the city center that is open until 3AM. 

Sunset on the waterfront — Take a walk along the Mekong.

Tiger Trail Tour Company shop. People who love activities and treks may find some interesting interactive tours.

US$ and Thai baht are widely accepted but the exchange rates vary. 

ATM's are situated mostly in Sisavangvong Rd just near the end of the Night Market.

ATM's dispense currency in Lao Kip and generally allow a maximum withdrawal of 700,000 kip with a charge of 20,000 kip. Multiple withdrawals are allowed to a daily maximum of 5,000,000 kip.

There are a growing number of money changers, located on Sisavangvong Rd or in the permanent markets further East.

Better maybe to stick with official money changing services at a bank which are easily found. 

A night market (on Sisavangvong Road) caters for tourists with every kind of souvenir you could want and closes at about 10 PM. Particularly good are the duvet covers, cushion covers and pillow sets.

Good natured bargaining is the go but don't obsess over this and ruin your experience as well as giving the trader a bad day.

Caruso Lao, 60 Sakaline Rd, Luang Prabang
Erawan Arts. This two floor showroom is in a traditionally renovated historic house that dates back over 100 years.
Ock Pop Tok, 73/5 Ban Vat Nong, Luang Prabang

Book stores operating in and around the area that sell photocopies to unsuspecting travelers. For photocopies, if you do buy them, insist on checking them as many times pages are missing or pages are basically unreadable. 

The book exchange operates on a “one for one” basis plus 20,000 kip, and all books are available for purchase as well.

Local specialities include: French baguettes and other bakery items. Extremely well done here. Local watercress which is very peppery. Fried dried seaweed with sesame seeds dipped in a chili sauce. Buffalo steaks and sausages. 

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under $20. Mid-range $20-80. Splurge Over $80 

Cold River Guesthouse. run by a local family and you meet often a lot of travellers. It's directly on the Khan River. Off peak times, it costs 80,000 kip. Unusually, they do not accept US$. Free filtered water and bananas are available. On Saturdays they'll serve free home-cooked dinner. 

Koun Savan Guest House, near the centre not very friendly nor clean nor quiet. US$15 rooms with bathroom.

Levady Guesthouse - in a lovely side street 50 m off the main street. Super nice family, wooden rooms and floor, bike rental, absolutely tidy. Double rooms with fan and private bathroom US$7, long term discounts on request. 

Merry Guesthouse. has rooms for US$3 with bathroom outside. Free filtered water and bananas are available. Not so merry though, the options further down the alley (Cold River and Sysomphone) are more appealing. 

Vilay Guesthouse. Located near the night Market in a quiet street. From $4 in the low season. Free Hi-speed Internet workstation, and free secured Wi-Fi. 

Xayana Guesthouse and X³ Capsule Hotel. Dorms from $4 or 30.000 Kip, rooms from $8. The dorms are very clean with bathroom/showers inside. Extra services are quite expensive. (valuable storage in safety box for 20.000 Kip, laundry service 18.000 Kip. There are cheaper laundry services nearby though.) 

Be aware that many restaurants offer "happy" shakes and pizzas. While this may be obvious to many, any food or drink with the words "happy", "special" or "escatic" will contain an undetermined amount of marijuana or Magic Mushrooms. 

Please be aware of the "special" shakes which can contain Ganja or Magic Mushrooms. They are not a good idea while tubing... 

Do not, repeat do not, undergo any serious medical treatment in a Lao hospital if you can avoid it.

November and December, the rivers are high enough to make river travel a breeze. Not surprisingly, this period in Laos is the peak season.

Dry season runs from November to April. November to February are cooler while March and April are blisteringly hot. April is the hottest month.

Wet season runs from May to October, though it may start a little early in a couple of Laos' northern provinces. August is the wettest month.

To get a real feel for how Lao food differs from Thai, stop in at Tamnak Lao: Three Elephants Cafe on the main street. Try steamed fish in banana leaves or their take on the traditional Luang Prabang salad.

