Mount Phou Si

Luang Prabang centers around this steep hill, which is topped by gilded Wat Chom Si, one of the town’s main Buddhist Temples. It’s tiny on the inside but the gilded stupa can be seen from afar, including the terraces of La Résidence and Kiridara. The mount can be scaled via two steep staircases. The one that starts in town (across the street from the Royal Palace) has slightly fewer steps than the one on the Nam Khan river side, though views from a top the latter are more stunning. Sunrise and sunset are the best (and busiest) times to go. Seeing as this is right in the center of Luang Prabang, you will never have Mount Phou Si all to yourself but the mix of visitors and locals on pilgrimage, including many of the town’s young monks, is fun.