Filippa's three day guide to Luang Prabang: Backpacker Edition - Day 1

Earlier I have written a little guide to the cafés in Luang Prabang I have tried so far. Today I wanted to take it a bit further, by giving some advice on how to spend only three days in Luang Prabang without missing to much, but also without stressing. As Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in her novel Eat, Pray, Love every city have their own word. Rome might have sex and Stockholm's word might be conform, but Luang Prabang word is relax.


As a backpacker you probably arrive in Luang Prabang by bus in the evening. The first thing you do is to ask the tuk-tuk to drop you off close to JoMa Bakery. Just by the bakery is a little side street with a lot of budget Guesthouses, offering both dorms and private rooms. Since I haven't stayed at any of them, I don't knwo which to recommend, but I assume all of them are good enough. So, you check in, dump you bag and go out to experience Luang Prabang. After a long bus ride you will be in the mood for some food and  luckily the best street food places are just around the corner from your Guesthouse. On main street, at the end of the Night Market (or the beginning if you come from JoMa) is another little side street. Here are tables full with foods and a plate of the buffet is only 10 000 Kip, jut above a dollar. You can also buy roasted fish or chicken on stick for a small price as well. You may then take a turn on the Night Market, but are probably tired after the bus ride and might head home to sleep.

Day 1
Since most cheap guesthouses don't offer breakfast, you will have to find a bakery somewhere in town. JoMa is one, Ancient Old Café and Guesthouse just by the Night Market/Food stalls is another. A third is Scandinavian Bakery. When in Luang Prabang you must visit one of the waterfalls, I prefer the Kuang Si. Either rent a scooter or go by tuk-tuk, the latter are the cheaper alternative as you can plit the cost with other travelers. Before you go, get yourself a sandwich and some water to take with you, the waterfalls are the perfect picnic place but they don't sell excellent food. Leave Luang Prabang around 9-10 in the morning, the drive to the waterfall is almost an hour long and if you arrive before lunchtime you will have it almost for yourselves. Enjoy the view of the big fall and then a dip into the very refreshing pools and go back to Luang Prabang when you're satisfied, your tuk-tuk driver will be waiting for you outside.
Back in Luang Prabang, enjoy an afternoon coffee at any of the riverside cafés, maybe Art House café by the Nam Khan. For dinner, if you're not in a mood for more street food there are plenty of restaurants on Main Street that are suited for the backpacker budget, like The Pizza Luang Prabang or basically all restaurants where you can get Lao food. On the other side of Mount Phousi is Utopia, a restaurant and bar popular among backpackers, and is another option for dinner, if not, a fun place to hang out and have a beer after your meal.
Luang Prabang is not big in the party scene, and most things closes before midnight. If you want to be out for a little longer there's Dao Fa, one of the few night clubs or the bowling alley, both a little bit outside of town.


Tomorrow: Filippa's three day guide to Luang Prabang: Backpacker Edition - Day 2 and 3