Mount Phousi
ພູສີ
A 100-metre hill at the heart of the old town. Wat That Chomsi on the summit offers a 360-degree view of the Mekong, the old town and the surrounding mountains, making it the best sunset spot in Luang Prabang.
Mount Phousi is a solitary hill in the middle of the Luang Prabang peninsula, rising about 100 metres above the surrounding area. That Chomsi, the stupa on its summit, was built in 1804, and its golden spire is the landmark of the old town.
There are two ways up. The direct route is the 328 steps that start from the main street opposite the Royal Palace Museum. The other begins at the Wat Tham Phousi entrance on the Nam Khan River side and passes a reclining Buddha, a Buddha footprint and the 'birthday Buddha' statues for each day of the week, Monday to Sunday. The two routes can be combined into a loop.
The entrance fee is 20,000 kip (about 7 yuan). The ticket booth is halfway up the hill. Opening hours are 05:30 to 18:30. The summit terrace is small and very crowded at sunset (from about 17:00 in the cool season). To secure a spot, reach the top before 16:30, or go up at 6-7 a.m. to see the Mekong through the morning mist, when there are almost no other visitors. From the top you can make out the Mekong, the Nam Khan, the airport direction and the layered mountains in the distance.
The steps are steep, so wear non-slip shoes. The main street comes alive with the night market as you come down.
Opening hours
5:30 AM–6:30 PM
Nearby sights
- Wat Pa Huak
- Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
- Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
- Heuan Chan Heritage House
- Luang Prabang Morning Market
- Wat Siphoutthabath
- Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham)
- Wat Wisunarat (Wat Visoun)