Royal Palace Museum
Royal Palace Museum
4
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:15 AM - 11:30 AM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Displays of the opulence of pre-Communist Laos.
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  • Ana-Maria B
    Cluj-Napoca, Romania1,353 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good visit if you know the rules
    This can be a good visit if you know what to expect. So get a shirt with sleeves (even short ones) and longer pants/skirt and you are set. Unfortunately, you can only take some photos outside. Everything must be dropped at the entrance (backpacks, cameras, etc). But it's still worth checking out as the interior of the palace is quite impressive and there are some interesting tidbits to discover. But then you'll have to go read some history on your own as they won't be telling you what happened to to royal family. Don't miss the car collection behind the museum too!
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 9, 2023
  • Jennifer C
    Atlanta, Georgia69 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do NOT miss!
    Do NOT listen to any negative reviews or you will miss this gem of a museum! Yes, you need to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, big deal! And, yes you must remove your shoes and not take big bags inside but these same rules are in place to see any temples in SE Asia so it should not be such a burden. While I was disappointed about no interior photography the interior of the royal palace is impressive. The throne room and the murals alone are worth visiting for. I wished we had allotted more time for our visit. We did have a local guide show us around so that means we got more information than if you are on your own but there are placards with English information so you’ll still learn a lot.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 11, 2024
  • DotsGirl2
    Vancouver, Canada452 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The inside of this building is beautiful
    It was very interesting to walk through this building and be told it’s history . We did have a private guide and that always helps. The walls of the rooms are ornately decorated. It was quite busy as this is one of the main tourist sites in Luang Prabang. Note you must lock your purses or backpacks at the lockers which are housed in another building before being allowed into the museum.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 13, 2024
  • LolaGo1
    Washington DC, District of Columbia6,632 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    No picture taking inside!
    Entrance fee is 60,000 kip per person. Personal stuffs have to left in the Storage area before entering this attraction. Shoes have to be taken off before entering the museum. Exhibits include several rooms and bedrooms, pictures of the king, personal memorabilias, etc. We were told to move quickly, it was very crowded during my visit. There is no air con inside the building, with the big crowd around me , I quickly ended my visit. Other attractions: Gardens with benches to sit down, Temple, National Theater, big Statue. Photo- taking is allowed here. Note that no photo taking is alowed inside the Temple. Entrance is prohibited as well.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 16, 2024
  • dianedinky
    Dunfermline, United Kingdom1,346 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting but wish I could get photos
    Yes, there is a strict dress code but I don't know why people moan about this. Show some respect, cover your knees and shoulders and get on with it. Our guide warned us the day before of what to wear and still some people paid no attention and were not allowed in. One guy actually broke his belt trying to pull his shorts to be just past his knees! You also cannot take in bags or proper cameras but they can be securely stored. You CAN take in a small one like a bum bag, which I did, with my phone inside no problem. They can be strict about taking water bottles inside though. Anyway, once inside it certainly has the wow factor with plenty to see and stories to hear about. The murals and mosaics in particular are stunning. Only disappointment was the no photo rule. I get the rule itself as too many stupid people cannot be trusted to turn off their flash. But I could find no trace of a guide book to buy that had the inside of the palace detailed and with photos. Not even a postcard of it. Meant I had nothing to show people when I got back. Would certainly hope the Luang Prabang tourist board take note and provide such mementos in future! The no photo rule is VERY strictly enforced so no chance of a quick snap anywhere. Don't try this!
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written May 3, 2024
  • ianwyj
    Singapore5,206 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A reminder of Luang Prabang's royal history
    Probably the largest complex of buildings in Luang Prabang, the grounds of the former Royal Palace bear testament to Laos's storied history over the last half-decade or so. Built for the royal family at the turn of the last century in what was then the country's capital, the buildings were eventually converted into a museum when the communists took power. During our visit, we spent more time strolling along the corridors of the main palace. Highlights included the king's & queen's reception rooms, murals depicting scenes of Lao life, statues, silk screens (one of which was weaved by a former queen), and various diplomatic gifts. Photography was prohibited so visitors will have to be content with relying on their memory. We also visited the palace temple and the barge museum. The former was moderately large in size with a three-tiered roof with an elaborate gold leaf-decorated facade, the highlight being the Buddha statue that gives its name to the city. Here again, photography was not allowed. There was also a royal cars exhibitiong (not much to see) with a couple of old petrol pumps (in poor condition), a couple of royal carriages (at least that's what the sign said). Do take note that the grounds are closed for a couple of hours at midday.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,406 reviews
Excellent
661
Very good
1,054
Average
545
Poor
102
Terrible
44

TMOH8
Guildford, UK2,291 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Unfortunately we visited during Chinese Lunar New Year and so the Royal Palace was incredibly crowded, which does affect the experience.

That said, our guide made the visit informative and enjoyable and it is certainly well worth a visit for the stunning mosaic work on the walls alone.

I would recommend a visit.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

amandadudman
Luang Prabang, Laos20 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Plenty to see with the temple and palace building. Other outbuildings for cars too. Interesting and well presented. Walkable as it’s in the old town. The night market takes over outside. You have to leave bags in a locker in the old theatre building. Beware opening and closing times! You can buy tickets for the excellent dance/ballet taking place upstairs in the theatre too. Not to be missed.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patrick V
Manosque, France206 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Combined ticket for the museum and the haw Pha Bang temple. Check opening hours, they are very strict. After buying your ticket you need to store your bags in a locker room, which is located in the building from the royal ballet theatre. Don't miss the garage in the back of the premises. Shoes to be removed as in many places. Be very careful when the pavement is wet, it is extremely slippery.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VickiMCO
London, England, United Kingdom17 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
Saw the sign at the ticket booth and thought it was odd, why would I want to return my ticket? As another poster pointed out, it's because they wont let you into the MUSEUM unless you meet temple requirements, but they dont tell you that until after you buy the ticket. My friend wears orthapedic shoes that she can't walk without. Across south east asia, this hasnt been a problem as long as she wiped her feet.. Until now! They were also very rude about it. Additionally they make you leave everything (phone included) in a locker, then send you back to get your ticket to enter the museum itself (after you had to buy one to get into the compound anyway!?)
It isn't even particulalry interesting, just some old furniture and posters. Wouldn't recommend.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jo G
Guildford, UK245 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
A few tips: Know that they won't let you in if they consider you improperly dressed. A man in shorts which stopped just above the knees had to wear my shawl as a skirt. Then when you come to enter the palace/museum building itself, they first make you take your shoes off then tell you that you need to leave your bags/rucksacks in a cloakroom at the entrance to the compound so then you have to put your shoes back on , walk back to the entrance to deposit your bags and try again.
Quite interesting to see how the last king lived.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alex H
Port St. Mary, UK2,596 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Entry is 30,000 for foreigners, 5,000 for locals, and you need to make sure you bring clothing to cover your legs and knees, otherwise entry will be refused. There is a luxury car museum which was very nice to walk around, and the inside of the main museum is also worth a visit. Be aware of closing times as I think it shuts at 11:30am and reopens at 1:30pm.
Written March 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

milliesmum2016
Christchurch, New Zealand1,771 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Things to know; Dress appropriately, shoes off, no photos to be taken in the Palace.
I loved this Palace, which was vacated by the Royal Family in the relatively recent past. All their furniture and chattels appear to be still there. The palace itself, is lovely - light and airy with big shutters and windows to allow the breezes through. I could live there! The throne room is beautiful with the most beautiful lacquerwork and mosaic frescoes. SO tempting to sneak a photo. But just don't! You'd probably get chucked out.
There are all sorts of interesting things in the grounds, which are a bit scrappy really, these days. The garage houses the Kings cars, mostly American ones, including a jeep. There is one European car, a Citroen, I think it might have been, beloved of the chauffeurs apparently. And, very cute, photos of all the royal chaffeurs on the wall. There is also a small Wat which houses a VERY scared and important Buddha image, and the Royal Theatre which is offers performances regularly.
Just off the main drag, it's easy to find but closes for a lengthy lunch around 11am and re-opens at 1 or 2pm for the afternoon. So do check times before making your plans.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott B
Sydney, Australia405 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2020
Here is the palace of the king. Toppled in 1975, he died in prison. The stewards here were not sure what they were hoping to achieve. You were strictly forbidden from taking photos. The nomenclature used throughout (both written and spoken) is what we now readily parody. It's like the doublespeak used by former communist nations. It is still evidently in wide use here.

I don't wish to mock the poor English interpretative signage throughout the museum (let's be honest my ability to read and write Laotion was not exactly helping) but when it was combined with such phrases as"revolutionary duty", "historical necessity" and "supremacy of the working class" it was hard to hold back a giggle. While it didn't actually feature phrases such as "imperial running dog" and "fascist scum" you could certainly see them from there.

I'm pleased I went. Students of history will love it, for a variety of reasons.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

R_TheReader
Rio de Janeiro, RJ504 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
The National Museum, former Royal Palace, was of course the residence of the kings, and the visit allows you to go through the rooms decorated with mementos ranging from intimate (original furniture and portraits) and luxurious (regalia) to the prosaic (gifts received by the king). An additional visit can be made to a garage with some old cars. For me the best part was to read the dozen of posters that tell the story of a laotian prince who is recognized as an incarnation of the Buddha; they are located in the hall that surrounds the internal rooms.

The jewel of this site is the Haw Pha Bang pavilion, a beautiful and impressive building that you may have seen from the night market. It houses the main treasure of the city, the Prabang, a Buddha statue that gave the town its current name.

The Haw Pha Bang more than justifies the visit. The palace itself Is not breathtaking.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sasha M
Sydney, Australia393 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Like most places you need to wear suitable clothes that cover knees … but also … Be ready to leave you camera and any other bags in lockers including your mobile phone… I had a small cross body bag (approx 20cm x15cm) or you aren’t allowed into the buildings. They don’t tell you this before you pay. While it is a relatively small fee … 30,000 Kip (approx $3Aus) it was disappointing … lockers are free and you get to padlock your locker and hold onto the key but I was not prepared to leave behind a new phone, all my cash and passport, let alone an expensive camera and lens. So we walked around the buildings and left …
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Royal Palace Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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