Tat Sae

Laos

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The wide, multilevel cascade pools of this menthol-hued waterfall 15km southeast of Luang Prabang are a memorable sight from August to November. Unlike Tat Kuang Si, there's no single long-drop centrepiece and they dry up almost completely by February. But several year-round gimmicks keep visitors coming, notably a loop of 14 ziplines that allows you to 'fly' around and across the falls.

Part of the attraction of a visit is getting here on a very pleasant seven-minute boat ride (20,000K per person return, 40,000K minimum) that starts from Ban Aen, a peaceful Lao village that's just 1km east of Rte 13 (turn east at Km 371.5). A 30-minute tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang costs up to 150,000K return, including a couple of hours' wait.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Wat Xieng thong temple at twilight time in Luang Pra bang, Laos. 358251350 ancient, antique, architecture, art, asia, asian, beautiful, believe, bright, buddhism, buddhist, building, chiang, city, culture, faith, famous, gold, heritage, historical, landmark, lao, luang, luangprabang, mekong, monk, night, old, palace, prabang, religion, spirituality, temple, thong, tour, tradition, traditional, travel, trip, twilight, unesco, urban, vientiane, wat, world, xieng, xiengthong

    Wat Xieng Thong

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    Luang Prabang's best-known monastery is centred on a 1560 sǐm (ordination hall). Its roofs sweep low to the ground and there's a stunning 'tree of life'…

  • Sunset view over the city from Mount Phousi, a sacred mountain located in the heart of the former capital of Laos.

    Phu Si

    6.31 MILES

    Dominating the old city centre and a favourite with sunset junkies, the 100m-tall Phu Si (prepare your legs for a steep 329-step ascent) is crowned by a…

  • Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls

    Tat Kuang Si

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    Thirty kilometres southwest of Luang Prabang, Tat Kuang Si is a many-tiered waterfall tumbling over limestone formations into a series of cool, swimmable…

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  • Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

    Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

    6.44 MILES

    Wat Mai is one of the city's most sumptuous monasteries, its wooden sǐm (ordination hall) sporting a five-tiered roof in archetypal Luang Prabang style,…

  • Laos Buffalo Dairy

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  • Heuan Chan Heritage House

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    6.4 MILES

    Footpaths lead back from the commercial main drag into a little oasis of palm-shaded calm around Heuan Chan, an authentic traditional longhouse on tree…

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