1. Wat Xieng Thong
Historically, the temple served as the site of the burial of Lao kings. Wat Xieng Thong, built in 1560 at the direction of King Setthathirath, is a stunning example of the classic Lao style, with its sweeping couple-tiered roof and beautiful mosaics, the highlight of which is a spectacular 'tree of life' glass montage on the back temple wall.
Among the many elaborate temples in Luang Prabang, this one is universally regarded as the most stunning and significant.
Visitors can view gold statues, goddess sculptures, a funeral carriage that stands 25 meters (82 feet) tall, and exquisite reliefs and carvings that detail the history of important Buddha relics.
2. Royal Palace Museum
During the time that Laos was under French colonial rule, King Sisavang Vong and his family made their home at what is now known as the Royal Palace Museum in Luang Prabang.
The palace was turned into a museum in 1995 and was designed in the French Beaux-Arts style with many exquisite touches of traditional Lao culture.
Objects of royal religious significance, weaponry, statues, screens, and paintings dating back hundreds of years are displayed in the museum.
3. Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC)
The objective of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), a Laotian non-profit organization established in 2006, is to preserve and share the country's rich cultural traditions and traditional living methods.
The two main focuses of the Centre are its museum and its fair-trade handicrafts outlets, which are tied to several Laotian artisan communities.
The Centre now features a library, an activity room for families, a terrace for outdoor activities, and a growing collection of artifacts from ethnic minorities.
4. Mount Phosi
Mount Phousi, standing at 100 metres above sea level, is Luang Prabang’s highest hill. It’s popular as a place to watch the sun rise or set over the Mekong River. From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.
It takes more than 300 steps to reach the top of Mount Phousi, with several resting places along the way. The climb is gentle enough for anyone with good health. There’s another set of steps down that will lead you to several temples of Luang Prabang.
5. Pak Ou Caves
6. Kuang Si Waterfall
7. Tad Sae Waterfall