Temples, Palaces and Ruins of Laos
Advisory, October 2026: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province. Unexploded ordnance from the bombing of 1964 to 1973 remains in rural areas, so walk only on cleared paths and never touch metal objects. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, and rivers have caused drownings. Route 7 to the Plain of Jars carries a US caution, so avoid driving it at night. Check the FCDO advice and the US advisory .
The main sights of Laos are working temples, a former royal palace, a Khmer-era ruin and a plateau of ancient stone jars. Treat the temples with respect, because people still worship in them. Tickets are paid in Lao kip (LAK), at roughly 22,000 to 22,500 to the US dollar.
Dress and manners
Cover your shoulders and knees at every temple, and take off your shoes and hat where asked.
Ticket prices in Luang Prabang
The provincial tourism office has announced new foreigner prices from 15 November 2026 for two of the sights below. The old figures apply until 14 November, and Wat Xieng Thong costs 30,000 LAK.
| Sight | Foreigner ticket now | From 15 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Palace Museum | 60,000 LAK | 200,000 LAK |
| Mount Phousi | 30,000 LAK | 60,000 LAK |
Luang Prabang
Wat Xieng Thong. King Setthathirath founded the temple in 1560. It opens daily from 06:00 to 18:00. Look for the glass mosaic known as the Tree of Life and the hall that shelters the royal funeral carriage. The temple page states the dress rules.
Royal Palace Museum. Also called the National Museum, it was built in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong. Opening hours are 08:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:00, and the ticket counter closes at 11:00 and 15:30. The museum shuts on the last Thursday of each month for cleaning. The neighbouring Haw Pha Bang houses the Phra Bang Buddha. In the evening, the Phralak Phralam theatre performs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 18:00 from October to February and 18:30 from March to September, and seats run from about 150,000 to 250,000 LAK. See the museum page .
Mount Phousi. The 328-step climb ends at views over the old town.
Vientiane
Three temples lie within a walk of about 3 km. Pha That Luang, the gilded national stupa, was reportedly built in 1566. Wat Si Saket dates from 1818 and is the oldest surviving temple in the city. Haw Phra Kaew is close by. Each charges a small fee and closes at midday, so confirm hours when you arrive.
Champasak
UNESCO listed Vat Phou in 2001. The site has pre-Angkorian origins, with Khmer-era temples added up to about the 13th century. A foreigner ticket costs about 50,000 LAK and includes an electric buggy from the entrance and entry to the museum. Gates are open from 08:00 to 18:00, with the museum closing about 16:00. The site is roughly 45 km from Pakse, and no public transport runs all the way. Guided day tours run about 450,000 to 500,000 LAK.
Xieng Khouang
UNESCO inscribed the Plain of Jars in July 2019, and the listing covers several jar sites. Sites 1, 2 and 3 are the usual visits. The Iron Age stone jars date from about 500 BCE to 500 CE. Site 1 has a visitor centre and lies about 8 km southwest of Phonsavan. Gravel roads lead to Sites 2 and 3 and turn slippery in rain. Fees are small. Because ordnance remains in the area, stay on the cleared paths and keep to the white side of the markers, since red marks ground that has not been cleared. Fly to Xieng Khouang if you can, because the mountain road takes 7 to 11 hours from Luang Prabang or Vientiane.
Tips
- In hot months, go early and bring water.
- Keep small kip notes for tickets and tuk-tuks.
- Check museum closing days before fixing a tight schedule.
Read more: walking tours in Laos suits the temples of Luang Prabang, and attraction tours covers falls and caves. For a route, see the Laos three day itinerary . Guided visits can be compared on GetYourGuide .