Ban Chan Pottery Village
Ban Chan Pottery Village
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
40 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
14
Average
8
Poor
7
Terrible
4
KTP310
Reading, UK871 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We had booked a pottery workshop with Lao Pottery House, so took a small private boat from the pier in Luang Prabang (behind the Royal Palace) , a lovely 15 minute journey along the Mekong directly to Ban Chan Neua village.
Up a flight of steps from the riverbank took us into the quiet village where we could stroll around, and at the heritage centre, see the 9 remaining families still making pottery by the ancient method.
There is a small cafe with lovely staff, and we bought some very reasonably priced pieces to bring home.
Up a flight of steps from the riverbank took us into the quiet village where we could stroll around, and at the heritage centre, see the 9 remaining families still making pottery by the ancient method.
There is a small cafe with lovely staff, and we bought some very reasonably priced pieces to bring home.
Written 5 March 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.
573dk9999
Iowa City, IA515 contributions
Feb 2023
Did not have high expectations for this, but were charmed by the humble and earnest families who continue to make pottery the way their ancestors did. We ended up purchasing a couple of very rustic oil lamps for a pittance. It's a shame they can't ship the big pots.
Written 22 February 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.
hAAydon
Portland, OR162 contributions
Jan 2023
lifetime of traveling one of the best and most rewarding experiences of all. Float 3 miles on a boat across the placid Mekong river, ascend a steep flight of concrete steps to this tiny village where pottery has been made for 400 years.
Now only 9 families remain, sharing an underground kiln. One family has begun a Laos Pottery Village with the goal, Unesco funded, of preserving the old ways of doing things. The family at the Laos pottery village offer to show you how and where the clay comes from, employs and trains people otherwise not employable due to disabilities,
They then will invite you to get your hands dirty with clay as their own experts show you and help you to make something of your own. They then will offer lunch upstairs of the locally made food and the chance to buy from their artists on site.
Pottery is heavy and shipping expensive, but the prices are very very low and this place is doing great work for this little place in this country
Now only 9 families remain, sharing an underground kiln. One family has begun a Laos Pottery Village with the goal, Unesco funded, of preserving the old ways of doing things. The family at the Laos pottery village offer to show you how and where the clay comes from, employs and trains people otherwise not employable due to disabilities,
They then will invite you to get your hands dirty with clay as their own experts show you and help you to make something of your own. They then will offer lunch upstairs of the locally made food and the chance to buy from their artists on site.
Pottery is heavy and shipping expensive, but the prices are very very low and this place is doing great work for this little place in this country
Written 21 January 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.
Holly H
15 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This is a wonderful day out. We took two kids (8 and 6) and they really loved it. We went with Noy and he organized a beautiful boat trip across the river and his mum cooked us lunch from home grown vegetables! Do it early in your trip as it takes 2 weeks to fire the pots you make. Each person gets to make 3 items, which is plenty.
Written 15 January 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.
Kate M
Ottawa, Canada235 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Access the Pottery Village via a scenic ~30min. trip along newly paved roads to Ban Chan. This can be done independently by taking the local ferry and rented moto across the Mekong, or arranged as an organized tour via one of providers in Luang Prabang via Tuk-tuk or boat. We met local potter Thieng who was very knowledgeable, spoke good english and was more than happy to give us a tour of the facility and local works even though we stopped in with no advance booking. The wheels used are made of incredible heavy carved stumps of rosewood. Understand that the activity is more about the experience and learning about the craft rather than producing a fired work that you will be able to take home. Pottery is a multi-stage process that takes time and would be very expensive for them (although they will mail it to you at cost, if you are keen on that). You can buy very reasonably priced handcrafted pieces as a souvenir, if that suits. Combining this experience with a visit to the Green Jungle park will make for a full day of activity. Enjoy!
Written 11 November 2022
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.
Mary Louise M
Washington11 contributions
Feb 2020
Thieng is a passionate guide to his pottery village and home studio, and explains much of the history and current situation of Ban Chan that's informative. There's a boat ride across the Mekong, the experience of doing hands-on pottery, beautiful pottery to buy, and the best Lao lunch ever.
Written 3 March 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.
35RedBackpack
20 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
A worthwhile visit if you are interested in terracotta pottery fired in an amazing underground wood fired kiln. This technique has been used for over 400 years.
Written 2 March 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.
Joel K
Vancouver, Canada3,341 contributions
Dec 2019
This small village outside of LP along the Mekong River was the last stop on our day. We loved visiting the local potters. Our guide interpreted for us and we had great conversations with some of the artisans. We bought a few pieces of small pottery. we observed the community kiln, several artisans, etc.
Written 31 January 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.
Lisa S
Hummelstown, PA9,879 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
This was an interesting stop for our small tour group, especially watching the master pottery crafter, however, as far as being able to purchase anything to ship home to the US it was a useless stop. We did buy a few small pottery trinkets from the young girl who did a demonstration first. The first family had a nice area and seating under cover available. Further down where the master was we saw a huge home built outdoor oven which was fascinating with so much lumber to use in it. That was amazing to see and he does beautiful work which graces various hotel lobbies around the city.
Written 23 April 2019
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.
rantati7
Helsinki, Finland2,209 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
You need to have a motorbike for this place. Tut tut that you pick up from the ferry pier on the otheside will do as well, it’s a long way along bumpy dirt track to get to the village, Once there there is nothing to see - apart the village and rhe one or two places selling / disanpottry making.
Written 22 March 2019
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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Ban Chan Pottery Village (Luang Prabang) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Ban Chan Pottery Village
- We recommend booking Ban Chan Pottery Village tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Ban Chan Pottery Village tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Ban Chan Pottery Village:
- (0.40 km) Chanthavinh Resort and Spa
- (1.07 km) Vangsavath Hotel Luang Prabang
- (1.97 km) Parasol Blanc
- (1.96 km) Pullman Luang Prabang
- (2.01 km) The Luang Say Residence
- Restaurants near Ban Chan Pottery Village:
- (0.89 km) Silk Road Cafe
- (1.98 km) La Belle Epoque at The Luang Say Residence
- (2.19 km) Manda de Laos
- (2.55 km) Governor's Grill at Sofitel Luang Prabang
- (2.60 km) Main Street Bar and Grill
- Attractions near Ban Chan Pottery Village:
- (0.16 km) Lao Pottery House
- (0.92 km) Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre
- (1.75 km) The Bamboo Experience
- (2.39 km) The Living Land Farm
- (3.52 km) Manifa Travel