Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Religious Sites in Luang Prabang
Religious Sites in Luang Prabang, Laos
Religious Sites in Luang Prabang
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Religious Sites
Religious Sites
What travellers are saying
- GaryandLesleyTravelAuckland Central, New Zealand5,221 contributionsWat Xieng Thong pagoda, an incredible relic of times gone by originally built in the 16th century with restoration work having been carried out in 1928 & again in the 1950’s, it is the oldest of the Pagoda in Luang Prabang and provides a great step back in time.
Entrance to the Pagoda 20,000 kip, respectful dress required to enter, in the Pagoda shoes off, hats off and peaceful silence is requested.Written 31 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - OrderintheHouseBrisbane2,800 contributionsIn January 2020, my wife and I visited great sights in Laos including a number of very imposing, ornate Buddhist temples,during our short 5 day private Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” tour arranged through Asia DMC Laos.
One of these temples was Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham or simply Wat Mai, adjacent to the National Museum in Luang Prabang. It is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and richly decorated temples. Its interior and exterior make good use of black and red lacquer decoration and gold leaf. Its origins date back to 1780. It was used by Laos Royalty and it is one of the few temples to survive the destruction by Chinese invaders in 1887.
The centrepiece of the temple complex is the large sim (ordination hall) highlighted by its intricate gilded stucco bas reliefs. It has a five tiered roof extending almost to the ground. We particularly liked one of the verandas added on to the original structure in 1821 containing very intricate gilded stucco bas reliefs made in the 1960’s. The reliefs depict scenes from the Ramayana (one of the two major Sanskrit (old Indo-Aryan language) epics of ancient India) and the Jatakas (any of the extremely popular stories of former lives of the Buddha) and scenes of every day life in Luang Prabang. These gilded reliefs were absolutely stunning and pleasing to the eye. We also noted the large black and gold stencilled columns supporting the veranda’s roof.
Inside the sim is a magnificent large gilded seated Buddha image in the meditation position. It is surrounded by a large number of smaller images in various mudras (hand gestures). It is a very beautiful, appealing presentation.
There were other buildings scattered about the complex including two smaller structures at the entrance which had three small gilded Buddha images in front on plinths – one in the standing position in the middle and the two at the side in the seated meditation position. These images complimented these two structures admirably. Our time here was around 30 minutes and while we would have liked to have stayed longer, our tour guide showed enough for us to realise that this is indeed a very fine temple.
Earlier in the morning we had visited the equally impressive Wat Xieng Thong followed by the National Museum. Our visit to Wat Mai completed a pleasing Lao religious and cultural trilogy.Written 2 July 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - milliesmum2016Christchurch, New Zealand1,811 contributionsActually, I visited this Wat in the evening, in the dark. It was lovely. Everything was softly lit so you could look carefully and at leisure at the lovely carvings and applied decoration. There is a lovely standing Buddha of not inconsiderable height.
You will doubtless stumble across this Wat whilst wandering around town in the slightly cooler evenings.Written 27 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - milliesmum2016Christchurch, New Zealand1,811 contributionsThis Wat is just beautiful. It has the most fabulous intricate mosaic work all backed with laquer red. It's really startlingly striking and well worth prioritizing on your Luang Prabang to-do list. The applied arts are lovely and varied. There are many beautiful fresco type wall paintings, depected sacred themes and even the columns are elaborately painted with gold on black or red backgrounds. These places really are fabulous and quite apart from their obvious religious significance, they are power houses of style and design excellence.Written 28 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- milliesmum2016Christchurch, New Zealand1,811 contributionsThis is a pretty little stupa beside the temple atop Mount Phousi. The views are great and you can clearly see the confluence of the rivers from here. It's worth walking up from the town and you can climb up one side and come down the opposite way. There are lots of interesting things to stop and visit as you climb - monasteries, the Bodhi Tree, shrines, Buddha's Foot print, cats, statues. Take your time. It's a very divering site.Written 4 July 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Wandering WonderingsHastings, UK3,247 contributionsA great little temple to visit in Luang Prabang. Well maintained and intricate gold leaf, it really is worth a little of your time to visit.Written 17 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KGB777Singapore, Singapore41,727 contributionsThis is another attractive temple in the old quarter of Luang Prabang. Confusingly it is also known as Wat Souvannakhiri. It's a peaceful place and doesn't seem to get too many visitors (at least certainly not in the mid afternoon on a hot weekend in June when I visited).Written 2 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Phouma PVientiane, Laos40 contributionsSo, if you want to take you meditation, it place is very nice and quiet to stay, not so far from Luangprabang cityWritten 6 September 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Wandering WonderingsHastings, UK3,247 contributionsA small temple which is compact to look round. You can tell this has been build within the last 50 years as it is in great condition. The paintwork is beautiful.Written 17 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ameyajoshiPune, India625 contributionsThis place is located a little off the beaten track but is very peaceful and lively.
Being away from the crowd means that it is sereneWritten 3 November 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jeanette BKirby-le-Soken, UK54 contributionsVery old Wat where it is possible to observe monks going about their daily business .
Very quiet and not full of tourists so worth the short treck outside the main city area.Written 11 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Larry MVientiane, Laos1,371 contributionsNice small temple at the end the Ancient town peninsula, well maintained and picturesque, worth a short stop and photo.Written 16 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Vikki GPeterborough, Canada188 contributionsI really liked this temple. It’s very quiet, relaxed and free of charge to visit. I wandered around for a while and saw only one other person. There are more than one set of stairs in to the grounds as well.
It’s very beautiful.Written 28 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Marco LuangprabangLuang Prabang, Laos326 contributionsA nice temple not far from the entry of Phousi Mountain and near some nice bar where take cocktails like Opera and Maolin. During the sunset around 6pm is interesting see the monks chantingWritten 8 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Larry MVientiane, Laos1,371 contributionsOne of many smaller temples along main road in Old Town near Wat Xieng Thong, worth a short photo op and visit.Written 14 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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