Luang Prabang literally translates as “Royal Buddha Image (in the Dispelling Fear mudra).” It is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane, the present capital. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites but the numerous ancient temples are the real attraction of this culturally rich city which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are more than 30 temples in Luang Prabang and it is easy to get temple fatigue. However, if you will only visit one, it should be the most magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. The word “wat” in Lao means temple. The temples featured here are all within walking distance from my hotel Villa Senesouk. Wat Xieng Thong is considered to be the most historically significant of Luang Prabang’s many temples. Set near the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, with its sweeping two-tiered roof and elaborate interior columns, Wat Xieng Thong is the epitome of classic Luang Prabang architectural style.

The compound is dominated by the central “sim,” but there’s around twenty other structures within the compound, including many stupas, a drum tower, monk quarters, a library and chapel. There is a small fee to enter the compound.

Wat Xieng Thong has a distinct Lao design as can be seen from the low sweeping roof heading up. It was constructed in 1560 and survived the sacking of Luang Prabang in 1887. Until 1975, Wat Xieng Thong was a royal temple, supported by the royal family. It was the place where the former kings of Laos were crowned and granted their power.

The back of Wat Xieng Thong has the famous tree of life mosaic in colored glass on a dark red background. This is one of the best known images in modern Laos. The mosaic was crafted in 1957 by Lao craftsmen to commemorate the 2500 years of the Buddha’s paranirvana. The star paper lanterns are identical to the Christmas lanterns found in the Philippines.

The ornate façade of the portico is an intricate combination of maroon, black and gold utilizing gilded wood in graceful swirls of flora, dharma wheels, and stenciled designs. Black lacquered pillars with gold stenciling support the roof of the portico. The stenciling on the façade recounts scenes from the jataka and depiction of the punishment of evil-doers. The doorway of the main entry and its surround are most elaborate, as the ensemble almost reaches the inner roof of the portico.

Beside the main 'sim' is a chapel (known as the Red Chapel by the French) that houses an outstanding reclining Buddha believed to date back to the wat's original construction.

The Red Chapel, or the Chapel of the Reclining Buddha, is one of the most photogenic and important buildings of Wat Xieng Thong. The exterior is covered with a red, sometimes fading to pink, stucco inlaid with brightly colored glass mosaics that illustrate both religious activities and everyday Lao life. The mosaics were added in 1957.

Shimmering gold leafed doors carved with monkeys, elephants and angels.

The Carriage House, or Royal Funerary Chariot Hall was built in 1962 to house and preserve the funeral carriage of the former Laotian monarchs. The wall to wall carved and gilded facade illustrates scenes from the Ramayana.

The opulent urn holds the royal corpse in curled up position before cremation.

Standing Buddhas fill the interiors of the Chariot Hall.


Wat Sene (Wat Sensoukharam) was built in 1714 and is also known as the Temple of the Patriach. Sene means 100,000 kip in Lao and that is what it cost to built the temple. Legend has it that the cash came from a lucky find in the waters of the nerby Khan River.This was restored in 1957 commemorating the Buddha’s birth 2500 years earlier.

The very beautiful facade of the Wat Sene.

Wat Sene is located right on the main road in all its conspicuous glory.

The windows are adorned with gold stencilled balusters.

Gold stencilling are applied directly to the outer red walls. The doors are carved with gilded figures of divinities and mythical animals.

Under an open pavilion is a covered altar housing the footprint of the Buddha.

Wat Sene is known for its large standing Buddha.

The housing for the standing Buddha. Two Lao style gilded stupas are in the foreground.

Wat Sop is close to a cluster of other small wats located right next to Wat Sene. Wat Sop is said to have been built by King Theng Kham, who reigned from 1479-86, to commemorate the death of his father, King Sao Takaphat Phene Phao, reigned 1438-79. Wat Sop has been renovated a few times since then.

An artist sketching in front of Wat Sop. This sim was expanded in the 1950's.

The colorful turquoise, green and gold stupa onsite.

The monks kuti or living quarters.

Wat Siri Moung Khoung was built in the 18th century. It is located on Kuonxoa Road, which is right down the road from Wat Xieng Thong and nestled between Wat Sop and Wat Si Boung Houang.

The main sim is a simple structure adorned with graceful cho fa finials. Cho fa means tassle of the sky, an apt name for these finials spiking out into the sky above the apex of the gable.

The door opening is surrounded by gilded carvings. Note the four nagas that outline the middle section. At the top of the frame is a 'that,' a Lao Buddhist architectural form.

The small white chapel is guarded by two striking white lions with red mouths.

Wat Nong Sikhunmuang is one of the bigger temples in Luang Prabang. It was built in 1729, during the reign of King Inta Som (1727-76), but was razed in a fire in 1774. The only thing salvaged from the fire was a bronze statue. A full restoration was carried out in 1804 by the Thais, thereby introducing some Thai elements to the design. It is next block from Wat Sene.

The sim has a three-tier roof which are tiled orange, much like the temples in Bangkok. The roof ornamentation, called 'dok so fa,' is in the form of parasols ascending to the top. The roof eaves are in the form of descending nagas.

The stairs with multi-headed nagas leading to the main entrance door.

Wat Mahathat or Wat That, is the “Monastery of the Stupa” and is one of the more attractive of Luang Prabang’s wats. It was founded by King Say Setthathirath (ruling from Chiang Mai) in 1548. The king also erected the imposing Lan Na style ‘that’, or stupa, that graces the ground in back of the sim.

The present sim, or viharn, was rebuilt between 1907 and 1910 by Chao Maha Oupahat boun Kong to replace the one that collapsed during a typhoon that struck during evening prayers in April 1900. Many lost their lives in the tragic event that destroyed many other buildings of the wat. The sim, in Luang Prabang style, was rebuilt in 1910, and then restored beginning in 1963; more recent work on it (from 1991) has created a most attractive and ornamented façade with decorated rosette columns.

The side view of the sim showing the elaborate windows and doors.

This 16th century stupa, prasat style, has a tiered square base surmounted by the stupa with square, octagonal and round tiers above. The northern Thai influence can be seen in the golden umbrellas at the peak of the stupa.

The heavily carved and gilded entrance doors of the sim.