Southeast Asia

Laos

Southeast Asia's gentlest country — misty mountains, the Mekong, and golden temples.

budgetLao kip (US dollars & Thai baht also accepted) (₭)

Landlocked, laid-back and utterly beguiling, Laos is the slow heart of Southeast Asia — a mountainous, deeply Buddhist country of saffron-robed monks, glittering temples, the mighty Mekong and some of the friendliest, most easy-going people on earth. It moves at its own unhurried pace, and rewards travellers who match it. Its jewel is Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed old royal capital where French-colonial villas meet gilded monasteries in a bend of the river — one of the loveliest towns in Asia.

What things cost: Laos is one of the cheapest countries in the region — meals, guesthouses, tuk-tuks, boat trips and massages all cost a fraction of Western prices. The kip is the official currency, but US dollars and Thai baht are widely accepted in tourist spots; it's a cash country, so carry plenty. When a zone below says 'low', that means genuinely low.

The cities

Luang Prabang — UNESCO old royal capital on the Mekong

Luang Prabang

UNESCO old royal capital on the Mekong15 must-dos · 4 areas to stay

What’s on in Laos

Sometimes the event picks the city for you.

Apr13–16

Pi Mai (Lao New Year)

Laos's biggest and most joyous festival — Pi Mai, the Lao New Year, when Luang Prabang erupts into days of celebration: a giant water fight in the streets to wash away the old year, Buddha images ceremonially bathed, sand stupas built on the riverbanks, processions, and the whole town scented with flowers. It's hot, chaotic, soaking and enormously fun, and Luang Prabang is the most beautiful place in the country to experience it (book far ahead — it's peak). Join in and expect to get drenched. Utterly joyful. Book early.

Luang Prabang · Across the old town & riverbanks

Oct14–15

Boun Ok Phansa & the Festival of Lights

One of the most beautiful nights of the Lao year — Boun Ok Phansa marks the end of Buddhist Lent, and in Luang Prabang it's celebrated with Lai Heua Fai, the Festival of Lights: exquisite illuminated boats built by each temple are paraded through town and floated down the Mekong, while thousands of tiny candlelit offerings set the river aglow. Add candlelit temples and dawn alms-giving and it's magical. A serene, luminous spectacle if your visit coincides. Enchanting and atmospheric.

Luang Prabang · The Mekong & town temples

Dec3–8

Luang Prabang Film Festival

A lovely, laid-back cultural event each December — the Luang Prabang Film Festival, a celebration of Southeast Asian cinema with free outdoor screenings under the stars, talks and workshops, held around the old town during the peak cool-dry season. It draws filmmakers and film-lovers from across the region and adds a cultured buzz to the town's most beautiful time of year. Catch a free open-air screening if you're around. A relaxed, enriching highlight. Free and friendly.

Luang Prabang · Around the old town