Luang Prabang, Laos, was once the capital of the Laotian kingdom. Today, the city is a Unesco World Heritage city and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular cities to visit in Southeast Asia. Luang Prabang has become comparable to destinations like Venice, Santorini, or Santa Barbara as a city that’s known for its beauty and charming atmosphere. The city has many interesting historical sites and cultural centers to see. Best of all, it’s entirely possible to visit and explore the city even if you’re on a limited budget. Read on for an overview of where to stay, where to eat, and what to do inexpensively while you’re visiting Luang Prabang.
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Where to stay For a comfortable stay at a reasonable price, you’ll want to check out the Villa Meuang Lao. The hotel is very affordable, with room prices that begin at around $35 a night. Visitors to the villa praise it as clean, comfortable, and quiet. It’s conveniently located near the local vegetable and fish market, and also near several visitor attractions. For an even cheaper stay, try the Nam Sok Guesthouse. Rooms here start at around $22 a night. The guesthouse offers large, clean rooms with ceiling fans, as well as a friendly staff. Previous visitors to the guesthouse call it a great value for the money.
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Where to Eat Stop at the Ock Pop Tok for either Eastern or Western food, whatever you happen to be in the mood for. Previous visitors to the area recommend the tempura fried veggies with a Laotian dipping sauce or the fried rice with chicken in a fish sauce. Top it off with a dessert of crepes topped with banana, honey, and lime juice. For an inexpensive breakfast or lunch, try the Riverloft Restaurant. The mango lassi and the papaya salad are both highly praised by guests, and the restaurant offers a buffet on Sundays. For dessert try the carrot cake cookie or the pumpkin roll. The Riverloft is one of the best rated restaurants in Luang Prabang, and also one of the least expensive – a great combination.
- What to Do It’s fun – and free – just to walk around the city of Luang Prabang. The city has no modern buildings at all, so you’ll see plenty of Laos history just walking around town. The Kwang Si waterfall is an amazing a beautiful sight that you won’t want to miss. For only about $6, you can board one of the minivans that drive down there regularly. This is a perfect trip for a hot day; you can marvel at the three-tiered waterfall, swim in the pool, and picnic on the shore. One of the must-see sites in the city is the alms ceremony known as tak bat. Monks leave their temples early in the morning and walk all through the streets of the town collecting alms from worshipers.
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Luang Prabang has been called a destination on the rise, and for good reason. The city is beautiful, historic, and fascinating to visit. Even if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be able to enjoy a memorable vacation in Luang Prabang
