Mount Phou Si - The Sacred Mountain of Luang Prabang

The Mount Phou Si, which means something like sacred mountain, is located in the heart of Luang Prabang on a peninsula surrounded by the rivers of Mekong and Nam Khan. The mountain is about 100 meters high and a popular sight with visitors of the city.

Ascent to Mount Phou Si in Luang Prabang

Most of them are visiting the mountain for sunset to enjoy the terrific 360° panorama of Luang Prabang.

How to get to Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is located in the north of Laos and you can reach the town with its international airport fastest by airplane from Bangkok, Hanoi, Siem Reap, Vientiane, etc. You can either fly with Bangkok Airways or Lao Airlines. Tickets, times and prices can be found at Skyscanner.

Taking a boat over the Mekong is also popular. This is possible from Chiang Khong in Thailand or Huay Xai on the Laotian side of the border. There are speedboats racing over the Mekong or slow boats, which take about two days to Luang Prabang.

The third option would be the bus or minivan from places within Laos like Vientiane or Vang Vieng. Depending on the distance, the bus ride takes 6 to 12 hours. Further information and prices can be found at our partner 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Luang Prabang – our hotel tip

In our opinion, the best place to stay is directly in the historic old town – ideally right on the Mekong. One of these hotels is the Sala Prabang Hotel, which offers various villas with old-style rooms. One of the highlights here is the breakfast view on the Mekong. Other Luang Prabang hotels can be found here.

The way up to the Wat Chom Si

On the top of Mount Phou Si you will find the Wat Chom Si with its golden 20 meters high Stupa. But until then you will have to take a few steps up. The number of steps depends on which path you choose to climb up.

There is a rise from the Sisavongvang Road, where the night market of Luang Prabang takes place, with 328 steps. There isn’t much to see on this path, which is why I prefer the second one.

The second way up with 355 steps is located at the Thanon Phousi, next to the Nam Khan River. Here you can find lots of viewpoints while walking up, as well as the Wat Tham Phou Si with many statues of Buddha. You can even see a footprint of Buddha over there.

Half way up you will have to pay an entrance fee of 20,000 kip (about 2 euros) per person. There is also a nicely drawn map of all the sights along the way to the top of the Mount Phou Si.

After a few more steps, some large statues of Buddha and even more viewpoints, you will eventually arrive after approximately 30 more minutes at the Wat Chom Si with its golden Stupa. Depending on how much time you spend with the sights along the way.

The local visitors usually make a lot of stops on the way up to pay their respects to Buddha or to pray.

Wat Chom Si at the top of Mount Phou Si

After the 328 or alternatively 355 steps, you will arrive at the top of Mount Phou Si. Now you can finally visit the Wat Chom Si and its 20 meters high golden Stupa, which you can see already from far away.

Next to the 1804 built Stupa, there is a small Viharn with a large seated statue of Buddha. In addition, there is a small stall where you can buy drinks, snacks or even some flowers. Those flowers are bought to pay homage to the Buddha.

However, most of the tourists don’t come to visit the temple, but rather to enjoy the fabulous view over Luang Prabang and the surrounding mountains and rivers.

It’s particularly busy over here at sunset, because there are hundreds of people looking for the best spot. If you like to have a good spot to take a picture, you should get there early around 4.00 – 4.30 P.M. Otherwise it will be most probably too crowded.

But even if you arrive relatively late, you can still take some great pictures. As soon as it gets a little bit dark, most of the people are starting to make their way down and you will have a lot of space to take some nice pictures.

On various websites you can find opening times from 7.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. But even if they are true, nobody cares too much since you would never be able to see a sunset before 5.00 P.M. anyway.

Conclusion

I can recommend a visit to everybody who is staying in Luang Prabang. The way up and the view at the city are really impressive. In my opinion it’s one of the must-sees of Luang Prabang!

Luang Prabang: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Luang Prabang in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Luang Prabang and the Mount Phou Si.

Have you ever been to the Mount Phou Si in Luang Prabang? Have you been there for the sunset? Did you like it? Leave us a comment below!