Laos, Asia
Luang Prabang in August
Rain peaks. Good for temple hopping and cafes, less so for waterfalls and treks.
The straight answer
August is a month of real tradeoffs in Luang Prabang. Rain peaks. Good for temple hopping and cafes, less so for waterfalls and treks.
- Weather
- Wet, highs near 88F (31C), heavy rain
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What August is like in Luang Prabang
August is when the rain peaks. Highs are near 88F (31C), heavy downpours are common, and trails and waterfalls are muddy. It is good for temple hopping and cafes, less so for waterfalls and treks. Crowds and prices stay low. In some years, the Boat Racing Festival lands in late August, with long boats racing on the Nam Khan river.
It suits budget travelers and culture lovers who do not mind rain. Families and anyone set on Kuang Si or the Pak Ou Caves should wait for November through February. If the boat races fall during your stay, they are well worth planning around.
Make the most of August
What is especially good about Luang Prabang this month.
Boat Racing Festival, some years
Set by the lunar calendar, the races can fall in August or September. Crowds line the Nam Khan to cheer the long boats.
Cafes and bakeries
Rainy afternoons are perfect for the old town's cafes, a legacy of the French colonial era.
Royal Palace Museum
An easy indoor visit on a wet day. Dress conservatively and leave bags outside.
What to pack for August
- A rain jacket or poncho
- Waterproof sandals
- Quick-dry clothing
- Insect repellent
Our timing tip
Check the lunar calendar for the Boat Racing Festival date and plan your stay around it if it falls in August.
Book Luang Prabang for August.
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- Hotels for August
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Luang PrabangOpens a hotel search for Luang Prabang in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Luang PrabangWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Luang PrabangTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Luang Prabang for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in August
Boat Racing Festival (Boun Xuang Heua)
Late summer, usually August or September, set by the lunar calendar
Long boat races on the Nam Khan river, with crowds lining the banks.
Things to do in Luang Prabang
Tak Bat (morning alms giving)
Around dawn on Sakkaline Road. Keep your distance, do not use flash, and only take part if you do it respectfully with properly prepared rice.
Wat Xieng Thong
The town's most important temple, with its sweeping roofs and glass mosaics. Go early morning before tour groups.
Kuang Si Falls
Turquoise in the dry season, often cloudy after heavy rain. Go at opening or late afternoon to swim without the crowds.
Mount Phousi at sunset
A steep climb to a stupa with views over the rivers. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for a good spot, or go at sunrise instead.
Royal Palace Museum
The former royal residence, with the Phra Bang Buddha image in a temple on the grounds. Dress conservatively.
Pak Ou Caves by boat
Two caves filled with thousands of Buddha images, about two hours upriver. Best on a clear dry-season morning.
Beat the crowds
- Visit Kuang Si right at opening. By late morning in high season the lower pools are crowded with day trippers.
- Watch the alms procession from a quieter side street rather than the main strip where tour groups gather.
- Climb Mount Phousi for sunrise instead of sunset. It is far quieter and the morning mist over the rivers is beautiful.
- November and late February offer dry-season weather with fewer visitors than December and January.
Know before you go
- During Pi Mai, some shops and businesses close for several days, and you will get wet whether you plan to or not. Protect your phone and camera.
- Mekong boat trips and some rural treks are less appealing in the peak rainy months (July and August), and some are suspended when water levels are high.
- Temples require covered shoulders and knees. The Royal Palace Museum has a strict dress code and does not allow bags inside.
- Luang Prabang has a curfew culture: many bars and venues close around 11pm or 11:30pm.
Luang Prabang in August, quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Luang Prabang?
August is a month of real tradeoffs in Luang Prabang. Rain peaks. Good for temple hopping and cafes, less so for waterfalls and treks.
What is the weather like in Luang Prabang in August?
Wet, highs near 88F (31C), heavy rain.
Is Luang Prabang crowded in August?
August is one of the quieter months in Luang Prabang; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Luang Prabang in August?
Boat Racing Festival (Boun Xuang Heua) (late summer, usually august or september, set by the lunar calendar).
Keep planning Luang Prabang.
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