Laos Attractions

Recommended by Alex Robinson, travel journalist and our Laos specialist · Updated November 2026

Things to Do in Laos: Temples, Rivers, Caves and Waterfalls

The best things to do in Laos are watching the dawn alms giving in Luang Prabang, swimming at Kuang Si Falls, cruising the Mekong by slow boat to the Pak Ou Caves, hiking among the limestone peaks of Nong Khiaw, kayaking and ballooning in Vang Vieng, taking a boat through Kong Lor Cave, exploring the Plain of Jars and cycling around the Four Thousand Islands in the far south.

These are the experiences our Laos specialist Alex Robinson recommends most. Every one can be arranged privately, with your own English-speaking guide and driver, as part of a tailor-made Laos holiday.

1. Luang Prabang

• Dawn alms giving: watch saffron-robed monks walk through the old town collecting sticky rice at sunrise. Watch quietly from across the street.
• Wat Xieng Thong and the Royal Palace: the town’s most beautiful temple, with its sweeping roofs and glass mosaics, and the former royal palace, now the National Museum.
• Mount Phousi: climb the steps to the hilltop stupa for sunset over the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers.
• Weaving and crafts: learn about Lao textiles at Ock Pop Tok and browse the night market.

Where to stay: Victoria Xiengthong Palace or Le Bel Air Resort.

2. Kuang Si Falls

About 45 minutes from Luang Prabang, turquoise water tumbles down a series of limestone terraces into pools you can swim in. At the entrance, a bear rescue centre cares for Asiatic black bears saved from the bile trade. Go early in the morning, before the day trips arrive.

3. The Mekong and the Pak Ou Caves

Take a boat up the Mekong from Luang Prabang to the Pak Ou Caves, two caves in a cliff filled with thousands of Buddha statues left by pilgrims. For a longer journey, travel two days by slow boat between the Thai border and Luang Prabang, with a night in Pakbeng.

Where to stay: Le Grand Pakbeng Resort.

4. Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi

North of Luang Prabang, the Nam Ou river cuts through dramatic limestone mountains. Hike up to the viewpoints above Nong Khiaw at sunrise, take a boat to the car-free village of Muang Ngoi and walk to nearby villages and caves.

Where to stay: Maison de Nong Khiaw or Ning Ning Guesthouse.

5. Vang Vieng

• Kayaking the Nam Song: paddle down the river past karst cliffs and rice fields.
• Caves and lagoons: explore caves such as Tham Chang and swim in the blue lagoons.
• Hot air balloon flight: float over the limestone peaks at sunrise or sunset.

Where to stay: Riverside Boutique Resort.

6. Vientiane

• That Luang and Wat Si Saket: the golden national stupa and the city’s oldest surviving temple, with thousands of small Buddha images in its walls.
• COPE Visitor Centre: a moving exhibition on the bombs still found in Laos and the people helped by prosthetic limbs.
• Buddha Park: a quirky garden of concrete Buddhist and Hindu sculptures by the Mekong.

Where to stay: Settha Palace Hotel.

7. The Plain of Jars

In Xieng Khouang province, hundreds of huge stone jars, more than 2,000 years old, are scattered across the hills. Their purpose is still a mystery. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the main sites have been cleared of unexploded bombs, with marked paths. It’s reached by a short flight or a long drive from Luang Prabang.

8. Kong Lor Cave

In Khammouane province in central Laos, a river runs right through a limestone mountain. Take a longtail boat through Kong Lor Cave, about 7 km long, in total darkness except for your torch, and come out into a hidden valley on the other side.

9. Champasak, the Bolaven Plateau and the Four Thousand Islands

• Wat Phou: a Khmer temple complex with origins older than Angkor Wat, climbing a hillside above the Mekong. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Bolaven Plateau: cool highlands with waterfalls such as Tad Fane and Tad Yuang, and coffee farms you can visit.
• Si Phan Don: cycle around Don Khone past the old French railway bridge to the Li Phi falls, and see Khone Phapheng, one of the largest waterfalls in South-East Asia.

Where to stay: The River Resort Champasak or Sengahloune Resort.

Laos Experiences at a Glance

Travelling Responsibly in Laos

We follow local guides on every walk, because unexploded bombs are still found in rural areas, and we support the COPE centre and bomb clearance charities through our visits. We ask you to watch the alms giving respectfully, never ride elephants, and buy crafts directly from weavers and villages. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim at Kuang Si Falls?

Yes, in the marked pools at the lower levels of the falls. Some areas are closed to swimming for safety or to protect the site, so follow the signs. Bring swimwear and something to cover up, and go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

How do you visit Kong Lor Cave?

Kong Lor is in central Laos, a long drive from Vientiane or Vang Vieng, so most people stay a night nearby. Local boatmen take you through the cave by longtail boat with head torches. The trip takes a couple of hours, and in the dry season you may need to step out and walk over shallow parts.

Is the Plain of Jars safe to visit?

Yes. The main jar sites open to visitors have been cleared of unexploded bombs and have marked paths. Always stay on the marked paths, and visit with a local guide, who will also explain the history of the area.

What is the COPE Visitor Centre?

COPE is a centre in Vientiane that makes artificial limbs and supports people injured by unexploded bombs. Its free visitor centre explains the history of the bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War and its effects today. It’s one of the most moving visits in the country.

How do I get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?

The fast train is the easiest way, taking about an hour, compared with several hours by road. It continues to Vientiane. Tickets sell out at busy times, so we book them for you in advance.

Is Vang Vieng still a party town?

No. Vang Vieng has changed a lot since its party days. It’s now known for outdoor activities such as kayaking, caving, hiking and balloon flights, with comfortable hotels and beautiful scenery all around.

Plan Your Laos Holiday

Many of these experiences feature in our 15-day Wild Laos holiday, from £6,500 per person. Browse our Laos hotels, read our Laos travel guide, or combine Laos with Thailand and Cambodia. To start planning, request a video call with Alex.