The Mekong-facing edge of the old town — a string of sunset-view guesthouses, restaurants and boat landings along the big river, where the slow boats moor and the evening light turns the water gold. Scenic, relaxed and central, with the best sundowners in town; the base for travellers who want a Mekong view and easy access to river trips, a short stroll from the temples. Luang Prabang's romantic river frontage. Calm and gorgeous at dusk.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
$45–110
typical per night in Laos
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Luang Prabang — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Mekong Riverside and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- The Royal Palace Museum5 min walk393 m
- Sunset from Mount Phousi5 min walk457 m
- The handicraft night market7 min walk566 m
- The Ethnology Centre (TAEC)7 min walk611 m
- The dawn alms-giving (Tak Bat)7 min walk620 m
- Wat Xieng Thong9 min walk732 m
- A Lao BBQ (sindad) dinner12 min walk990 m
- Kuang Si Falls67 min taxi22.5 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 7.A Mekong sunset cruise — There's no better way to feel the rhythm of Luang Prabang than from the water — a slow wooden longboat cruise on the Mekong at golden hour, drifting past forested banks, riverside villages and fishermen as the sun sinks and the sky and river glow. Simple public sunset boats leave from the landings along the old town; sip a Beerlao, watch the light change, and glide back in the dusk. It's serene, romantic and cheap. Combine it with the Pak Ou Caves upriver by day for the fuller trip. A gorgeous, peaceful highlight. Magical at sunset.
- 13.A riverside weaving village — Just downriver lie the craft villages that make Luang Prabang's famous textiles — Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek, where families still weave gorgeous silk and cotton on wooden looms and make traditional saa (mulberry) paper by hand. Reach them by a short boat or tuk-tuk ride, watch the weavers and papermakers at work, and buy beautiful scarves and lanterns straight from the makers at village prices. It's a lovely, authentic half-day that connects the crafts you'll see everywhere to the hands that make them. A charming, worthwhile outing. Support the artisans.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Mekong Riverside; flights via Google Flights.