Boun Xang Elephant Procession Pi Mai

ບຸນຊ້າງປີໃໝ່

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Carnival & ParadeLuang Prabang
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesBoun Xang stands apart from Pi Mai's other
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: LAK
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Boun Xang Elephant Procession Pi Mai in Luang Prabang

Boun Xang opens Luang Prabang's Lao New Year with a procession of decorated elephants walking from Wat Mai to Wat Xiengthong, recalling the old kingdom of Lan Xang, the land of a million elephants. A ceremonial Chief of the Elephants offers treats along the route and blesses the animals as protectors of the town before the three days of Pi Mai water throwing begin.

Before the water fights and street parades of Lao New Year fully take hold of Luang Prabang, a smaller and more solemn procession opens the festivities: Boun Xang, the elephant procession also known as Xang Hieng Koei, in which decorated elephants walk from Wat Mai to Wat Xiengthong through the old royal quarter.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Boun Xang stands apart from Pi Mai's other set pieces, the Phra Bang procession and the Nang Sangkhan pageant, by centering on animals rather than sacred objects or human contestants, and it happens earlier in the sequence, effectively opening the festival before the water fights take over

02

The mystery stays covered

The route itself, linking Wat Mai and Wat Xiengthong through the historic peninsula, retraces ground tied directly to royal ceremony, giving the event a more solemn, historically loaded character than the street-level water play that dominates the rest of Pi Mai

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Offering bananas and sugarcane to the elephants along the route continues an older custom of treating the animals as honored guests rather than mere participants

Water and renewal

Living ritual

The whispered blessing from the Chief of the Elephants

The sacred route

Living ritual

asking the elephants to protect the town and expel bad luck for the coming year

The local code

Living ritual

ties the procession directly to Luang Prabang's founding identity as capital of Lan Xang

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

Expect street closures, dense pedestrian flow, and slow exits. Comfortable shoes are essential.

What to wear

Modest, comfortable clothing works well since this procession, unlike the rest of Pi Mai, is not a water fight and involves standing and walking near temple grounds. Closed shoes are...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

LAK

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map19.89 N, 102.15 EOpen in Google Maps

Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

Nearest airportLPQ — Luang Phabang
TransportExpect street closures, dense pedestrian flow, and slow exits. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Luang Prabang via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Luang Prabang, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearModest, comfortable clothing works well since this procession, unlike the rest of Pi Mai, is not a water fight and involves standing and walking near temple grounds. Closed shoes are practical for the uneven pavement near the temples, and shoulders should be covered if you plan to step inside Wat Xiengthong afterward.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Laos and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Boun Xang Elephant Procession Pi Mai?

Boun Xang Elephant Procession Pi Mai is listed for Past edition: 14–16 April 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Boun Xang Elephant Procession Pi Mai take place?

The festival is listed in Luang Prabang, Laos. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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