Wat Xiengthong
Wat Xiengthong
4.5
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Laos' most enchanting temple was built in 1560.
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  • Patrick G
    Marina del Rey, California14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ornate and mystical
    Always impressed with the Buddhist temples in Thailand and Laos, and certainly this one does not disappoint. Some great photo ops inside. Skip the Royal "Palace" and come here instead if time is short.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 November 2023
  • Ana-Maria B
    Cluj-Napoca, Romania1,353 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful site
    This is a very beautiful complex. There is a lot of art and culture to enjoy and the visit was overall quite and pleasant, in spite of the number of tourists. The entrance fee is a pittance. Just make sure your knees and shoulders are covered and also remove your shoes before entering any of the buildings.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 December 2023
  • Raintree_Thailand
    Bangkok, Thailand4,282 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic temple of northern Laos!
    If you're going to visit a dozen temples in Luang Prabang, or just one, Xiengthong has to be on your list. The graceful design and elegance of Xiengthong make it the iconic wat in all of northern Laos. Best visited in the early morning and ahead of the crowds.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 February 2024
  • Shelley M
    Albany, New Zealand905 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Wat
    This wat has to be on your list to see. It will be crowded for good reason, its stunning. The details, mosaics, colours are just wow. Photos don't do it justice. There was a toilet available nearby also and someone had set up a drinks cart outside, it was very hot. I read the history before our visit which helped as not a lot of signs or boards to read here. Well worth a visit.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 April 2024
  • LolaGo1
    Washington DC, District of Columbia6,632 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of my favorite temples in Luang Prabang
    This is one of my favorite temples in Luang Prabang because of the presence of many attractions in the Compound. Took photos of these attractions to commemorate my visit: Tree of Life, ornate and artistic facades of the buildings, statues, etc. Highly recommended to visit it.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 19 April 2024
  • dianedinky
    Dunfermline, United Kingdom1,346 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautifully detailed temple
    I wasn't sure what to expect of Laos having not heard too much about it but adding it on to my trip to Vietnam & Cambodia. Luang Prabang certainly exceeded my expectations. What a stunningly beautiful place it is, as evidenced by just one of the many temples seen here. The Wat Mai buildings in the same complex near the Royal Palace/Museum are even better!
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 3 May 2024
  • Dannuel U
    34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great
    Wat Xieng Thong is an iconic temple that should be on every visitor's itinerary when exploring Luang Prabang. Renowned for its architectural beauty, the temple stands as a prime example of classic Lao design, with its sweeping, low-tiered roofs and intricate details. The ornate carvings, mosaics, and gilded decorations inside and out reflect the rich cultural and religious history of the region.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 22 August 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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,304 reviews
Excellent
1,341
Very good
759
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179
Poor
18
Terrible
7

jwdlvw_11
Ban Phe, Thailand279 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
This is a beautiful set of temple buildings set on a very large piece of land. The entrance is from the Main Street and you can exit the back facing the Mekong river. We were first attracted to the temple when we encountered a set of cat statues that seem to be guarding the exit (probably the exit was the entrance in the past). Entrance costs 20,000 kip and is well worth it.
Written 1 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.

MumbaiRiders
Mumbai, India1,904 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Wat Xieng Thong was built between 1559-1560 under the rule of King Setthathirath and was under patronage of the Royal Family.Entrance fee to the Wat is 20,000 Kip.You have to be dressed in formal attire to visit the temple.
Written 29 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.

LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
In the ancient city of Xien Thong (literally, "The Golden City"), almost at the junction of rivers Mekong and Nam Kham, King Setthathirath ordered, in 1559, the construction of a temple. It was named "Wat Xien Thong", the "Temple of the Golden City". King Setthathirath probably never imagined this would become the city's most beautiful temple, and even maybe of the whole Laos - the "Land of a Million Elephants". Later on, the city of Xien Thong was renamed to Luang Prabang, meaning "The Place of Buddha" and "Wat Xien Thong" became the royal temple, where kings were crowned and holy relics were kept. The temple was built according to the early Lao architecture features, normally referred to as "Luang Prabang Classic Style", with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Just amazing! Visit the temple, its central shrine (the holy "Sim"), side chapels, pavillions, residences and gardens. And before leaving, near its East Gate, do not dare to miss "The Royal Funerary Chapel", where the "Royal Funerary Carriage" and the "Royal Family Funerary Urns" are housed. Unmissable! Enjoy!
Written 13 October 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.

SeeMoreLiveMore
Singapore, Singapore513 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Apparently, this is the signature temple in Luang Prabang because of its history. This complex holds a number of buildings, all of which are beautifully constructed and maintained. The Buddhist statues in the various buildings are also lovely works of art.
Written 2 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.

Alex H
Port St. Mary, UK2,596 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Entry to this temple is cheap and you can spend a good half an hour or so here walking round and looking at the different buildings. There are some items to see inside some of the rooms and the main temple itself is very pretty. Great for photos too.
Written 8 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.

Dannuel U
34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Solo
Wat Xieng Thong is an iconic temple that should be on every visitor's itinerary when exploring Luang Prabang. Renowned for its architectural beauty, the temple stands as a prime example of classic Lao design, with its sweeping, low-tiered roofs and intricate details. The ornate carvings, mosaics, and gilded decorations inside and out reflect the rich cultural and religious history of the region.
Written 22 August 2024
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.

Ana-Maria B
Cluj-Napoca, Romania1,353 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is a very beautiful complex. There is a lot of art and culture to enjoy and the visit was overall quite and pleasant, in spite of the number of tourists.
The entrance fee is a pittance. Just make sure your knees and shoulders are covered and also remove your shoes before entering any of the buildings.
Written 9 December 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.

ljpere
Auckland, New Zealand111 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
This place is so beautiful you can't miss it. It was not that busy when we visited this afternoon and we were lucky that we got to enjoy this almost deserted. This place is so beautiful and interesting it should be added to your to do list when visiting Luang prabang. Only 20,000 kip entry fee per person . Highly recommend
Written 1 April 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.

LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,632 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Solo
This is one of my favorite temples in Luang Prabang because of the presence of many attractions in the Compound. Took photos of these attractions to commemorate my visit: Tree of Life, ornate and artistic facades of the buildings, statues, etc.

Highly recommended to visit it.
Written 19 April 2024
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.

Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,282 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
If you're going to visit a dozen temples in Luang Prabang, or just one, Xiengthong has to be on your list. The graceful design and elegance of Xiengthong make it the iconic wat in all of northern Laos. Best visited in the early morning and ahead of the crowds.
Written 5 February 2024
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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Wat Xiengthong, Luang Prabang

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