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Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the cultural heart of Laos and one of the three international gateway cities for those arriving by air. Until the communist takeover in 1975, the town was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995 the town exudes a magical charm that has, if anything, increased in recent years despite the rise of tourism. Many of the old town's charming colonial structures have been lovingly restored and converted into a myriad of boutique hotels, cafes and art galleries. If you visit only one place in Laos this should be it!
Temple Town
Luang Prabang is famous for its marvellous and atmospheric Buddhist temples, and understandably so as there are more than 10 in the small area of the old town alone. Each morning these temples' resident monks parade through the town collecting alms from local people; one of the most enduring visions of Southeast Asia. The most famous of the temples is Wat Xieng Thong, a wonder of gold-leaf stencil work, glass mosaic and sweeping roofs.
Mount Phou Si
Watching the sun set from the small hill of Phou Si is a popular passtime for visitors to Luang Prabang. Offering a 360° panorama
over the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and old town, the view from the top is well worth the 329 step climb.
Pak Ou Caves & the Mekong
A two hour cruise up the Mekong river will bring you to the mysterious Pak Ou caves, 
two grottoes set into limestone cliffs and crammed with Buddhist statues. The return boat journey offers the chance to visit a number of riverside villages where such creations as rice whisky and hand woven fabrics are produced.
Waterfalls, Bears & Elephants
Luang Prabang boasts not one but two waterfalls: Tat Kuang Si and Tat Sae. Tat Kuang Si is the more famous and popular of the two and also plays host to a refuge for bears rescued from poachers. These falls are a wonderfully cool spot for a swim and picnic. Tat Sae, although smaller in height is also a beautiful spot offering a zip line experience. A visit to Tat Sae can conveniently be combined with kayaking and an elephant encounter & ride at one of Luang Prabang's nearby elephant camps.
Royal Palace and Pha Bang Buddha
The home of the former royal family of Laos until their mysterious disappearance in 1977, the palace was built in 1904 and blends traditional Lao and French beaux-arts styles. The town's namesake, the Pha Bang, is housed in a temple in the palace grounds. Said to date from the 1st century AD the statue has a fascinating history and no single treasure in Laos is more historically important.