Limestone cliff
Over the Mekong.
xiquinhosilva — CC BY 2.0 · xiquinhosilva — CC BY 2.0 · 松岡明芳 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0
Two caves in a towering limestone cliff above the Mekong, at the mouth of the Ou river that gives the place its name. Lao people have worshipped here for centuries, and they are among the best-loved river trips from Luang Prabang. The lower cave, Tham Ting, opens onto the river and catches the light; a stairway climbs to it from the landing, and its rock shelves are filled with hundreds of small wooden figures left by worshippers over generations. The upper cave, Tham Theung, is higher up a long stairway, deeper and darker, so bring a torch. The best part is the journey: about two hours upriver in a long wooden boat on the Mekong, past forested banks, cliffs, small fields on the sandbanks and fishing and weaving villages, then an hour and a half back with the current. Entry to both caves is LAK 20,000, with the boat paid separately at the Luang Prabang pier. Temples are living places of worship: cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes before entering halls, and do not touch monks or block their way.
Over the Mekong.
A wooden boat.
Open to the light.
West bank of the Mekong at the mouth of the Ou river, about 25 km north of Luang Prabang
By wooden boat from the Luang Prabang pier, about two hours upriver, or by car to the village opposite and a short crossing.