At the peak of Luang Prabang, witness an equatorial sunset.

✏️ As the soul of Luang Prabang's ancient city, the sunset at Mount Phousi ⛰️ has become a pilgrimage for travelers. This small mountain, only a hundred meters high, holds Laos' most poetic dusk. I've witnessed the sunset 🌇 here three times, and each time I've been struck by the different dimensions of light and shadow. This guide will help you avoid the crowds and unlock the hidden corners of this sacred mountain. 🏞[Ascent Routes: Two Ancient Paths, Two Moods] Mount Phousi has two main climbing paths. It is recommended to choose different routes for ascending and descending to enjoy a double experience. 🅰 West Route (Classic Route from Wat Xieng Thong) 📍Starting Point: Walk 200m east from Wat Xieng Thong along Sisavangvong Road. The entrance is marked by steps adorned with prayer bells (search "Phousi Hill West Stairs" on Google Maps). 🚩Trail Conditions: 328 gray-white stone steps, gentle in the first half, steeper in the last 50 steps, 60% shaded. 🖍Hidden Gem: A natural cave halfway up houses a sleeping golden Buddha. Look for the "Golden Buddha Cave" sign on the left fork. 🅱 East Route (Secret Route from the Royal Palace Museum) 📍Starting Point: 50m south of the main entrance of the Royal Palace Museum, by the orange wall (clear signs in Lao, English, and Chinese). 🚩Hiking Highlights: 238 moss-covered original stone steps. Monks often descend these steps in the early morning, making it ideal for enjoying the empty mountain at sunrise. 🖍Special Note: The steps can be slippery during the rainy season, so wear non-slip shoes. You'll encounter three ancient Buddha niches with fresh flowers along the way, where you can make offerings. 🚠[Summit Secrets: Beyond the Observation Deck] Don't rush to the crowded observation deck after reaching the top. These spots are the photographer's 📷 secret: 1⃣ That Chomsi Stupa (Point A): The pure gold spire shines like a miracle in the sunlight. Circumambulating the stupa three times is a local tradition. After 5pm ⏰, the light reflected from the stupa casts spots on the southwest stone wall, creating a marvelous interplay of light and shadow. 2⃣ Reclining Buddha Footprint Platform (Point B): A recessed platform 10m below the west observation deck, missed by 99% of visitors. From here, you can see the "Emerald Two-Color River" where the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers meet. A telephoto lens is recommended. 3⃣ South Secret Steps: Descend 30 steps south from the main stupa to a 270° viewing platform. In the evening, smoke rises from the traditional Lao houses at the foot of the mountain, transporting you back to the 19th-century Lan Xang Kingdom. [🌞Sunset Guide: The Secret to Grabbing the Best Spot] Golden Hour: 17:40-18:10 during the dry season (November-February), 18:20-18:50 during the rainy season (May-October). 📷Photography Spot: The protruding rock on the right side of the west observation deck (only fits 3 people). Arrive 1 hour early to secure your spot. Mobile 📱 photographers can choose the low wall north of the main stupa, using the eaves for foreground composition. [Phousi's Day and Night] ✅Sunrise Mode (6:00-7:00 AM): Ascend via the east route and encounter monks returning from alms giving in the morning light. The Mekong River in the morning mist resembles a flowing silver chain. Bring a light jacket. ✅Nighttime Surprise (after 19:30): When most tourists descend, the stupa at the summit is illuminated with warm yellow lights. Sit on the south steps and watch the magical moment as the night market lanterns gradually light up. [Practical Information] 🎫 Entrance Fee: 20,000 Kip (approx. 8 CNY), allows re-entry on the same day. ⏰ Opening Hours: 5:30-18:30 (actual closing time is flexible, depending on the last group of visitors). 🚶 Time Required: Ascent takes about 15 mins. Allow 1.5 hrs for exploring. 📌 Essentials: Mosquito repellent (mosquitoes 🦟 are fierce at the top), headlamp (for night paths), lens under 100mm focal length (wide-angle lens captures the grandeur). [📝Suggested Itineraries] ☑️Morning: Phousi Sunrise (6:00) → Morning Market Porridge (7:30) → Wat Xieng Thong (8:30) ☑️Evening: Royal Palace Museum (16:00) → Phousi Sunset (17:30) → Night Market Grilled Fish (19:00) ☑️Hidden Gems: Phousi South Hidden Grottoes (9:00) → Sutra Copying Experience at the Summit (10:00) → Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden (14:00) ✏️On my third ascent, I met a local elder taking a family photo with a vintage film camera. He told me that the true soul of Mount Phousi lies not in the stupa, but in the amber-colored stone steps bathed in the setting sun—for seven hundred years, they have supported the iron hooves of war elephants, the boots of French explorers, the bare feet of monks, and now, the awe of people from all over the world. Perhaps, when we touch these ancient stones with a pilgrim's reverence, we become a part of history.