Luang Prabang
UNESCO World Heritage
Considered by many travellers and writers as being the heart of Laotian culture, the tiny town is encircled by mountains and is 700 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. Luang Prabang is exceptional for both its rich architectural and artistic heritage that reflects the fusion of Lao traditional urban architecture with that of the colonial era. Its remarkably well-preserved townscape reflects the alliance of these two distinct cultural traditions. The political and religious centre of Luang Prabang is the peninsula, with its royal and noble residences and religious foundations. The traditional urban fabric of the old villages, each with its temple, was preserved by later constructions. The colonial urban morphology, including the network of streets, overlapped harmoniously with the previous model. Formerly the town limits were defined by defensive walls. The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles and materials. The majority of the buildings are, following tradition, wooden structures. Only the temples are in stone, whereas one- or two-storey brick houses characterize the colonial element of the town. The many pagodas or "Vat" in Luang Prabang, which are among the most sophisticated Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, are richly decorated (sculptures, engravings, paintings, gilding and furniture pieces). Many traditional Lao houses remain; they are built of wood using traditional techniques and materials introduced in the colonial period, such as plaited bamboo panels coated with wattle and daub. Brick colonial buildings, often with balconies and other decorative features in wood, line the main street and the Mekong. source: whc.unesco.org - www.visit-laos.com
UNESCO World Heritage
Considered by many travellers and writers as being the heart of Laotian culture, the tiny town is encircled by mountains and is 700 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. Luang Prabang is exceptional for both its rich architectural and artistic heritage that reflects the fusion of Lao traditional urban architecture with that of the colonial era. Its remarkably well-preserved townscape reflects the alliance of these two distinct cultural traditions. The political and religious centre of Luang Prabang is the peninsula, with its royal and noble residences and religious foundations. The traditional urban fabric of the old villages, each with its temple, was preserved by later constructions. The colonial urban morphology, including the network of streets, overlapped harmoniously with the previous model. Formerly the town limits were defined by defensive walls. The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles and materials. The majority of the buildings are, following tradition, wooden structures. Only the temples are in stone, whereas one- or two-storey brick houses characterize the colonial element of the town. The many pagodas or "Vat" in Luang Prabang, which are among the most sophisticated Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, are richly decorated (sculptures, engravings, paintings, gilding and furniture pieces). Many traditional Lao houses remain; they are built of wood using traditional techniques and materials introduced in the colonial period, such as plaited bamboo panels coated with wattle and daub. Brick colonial buildings, often with balconies and other decorative features in wood, line the main street and the Mekong. source: whc.unesco.org - www.visit-laos.com
Wat Xieng Thong
A symbol of great historic importance, this magnificent masterpiece is characteristic of the Luang Prabang style and features an elaborate tree of life mosaic, intricately carved walls, rare Buddhist deities and a 12-metre high funeral carriage. Also known as the ‘Golden Tree Monastery’, Wat Xieng Thong acts as a gateway to Luang Prabang as it is strategically situated close to where the Mekong joins the Nam Khan River. This site is famous as the location for the coronation of Lao kings and as an important gathering place for significant annual festivities. The original temple was created in 1560 under the royal instruction of King Setthathirath and narrowly missed invasion on several occasions, nevertheless time took hold and much-needed remodelling took place during the 1960s. The temple still remains in its original form with repairs undertaken to the roof, and gold leaf gilding and gold lacquering restoration added to the walls and entrance. source: www.visit-laos.com
A symbol of great historic importance, this magnificent masterpiece is characteristic of the Luang Prabang style and features an elaborate tree of life mosaic, intricately carved walls, rare Buddhist deities and a 12-metre high funeral carriage. Also known as the ‘Golden Tree Monastery’, Wat Xieng Thong acts as a gateway to Luang Prabang as it is strategically situated close to where the Mekong joins the Nam Khan River. This site is famous as the location for the coronation of Lao kings and as an important gathering place for significant annual festivities. The original temple was created in 1560 under the royal instruction of King Setthathirath and narrowly missed invasion on several occasions, nevertheless time took hold and much-needed remodelling took place during the 1960s. The temple still remains in its original form with repairs undertaken to the roof, and gold leaf gilding and gold lacquering restoration added to the walls and entrance. source: www.visit-laos.com
Wat Mai
Founded at the end of the 18th century, construction, additions and expansions of this temple beside the Royal Palace meant it wasn't finished until the late 1890s (the temple was spared during the Black Flag attack). Further structures were added to the compound through the 20th century, with the latest renovations completed in the early 1960s. The sim is the highlight, with its five-tiered roof extending protection over the spectacular gilded bas relief depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the life story of the Buddha. Wat Mai once housed Luang Prabang's most valuable artifact, the Phra Bang: an 83-centimetre tall, 50-kilogram, mostly golden Buddha statue. In 1947 it was shifted to the Royal Palace Museum. more at: www.travelfish.org
Founded at the end of the 18th century, construction, additions and expansions of this temple beside the Royal Palace meant it wasn't finished until the late 1890s (the temple was spared during the Black Flag attack). Further structures were added to the compound through the 20th century, with the latest renovations completed in the early 1960s. The sim is the highlight, with its five-tiered roof extending protection over the spectacular gilded bas relief depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the life story of the Buddha. Wat Mai once housed Luang Prabang's most valuable artifact, the Phra Bang: an 83-centimetre tall, 50-kilogram, mostly golden Buddha statue. In 1947 it was shifted to the Royal Palace Museum. more at: www.travelfish.org
Royal Palace Museum
also known as “Haw Kham” was once Laos' Royal Palace. It houses a lot of interesting historical items. Built in 1904, it features a blend of Lao traditional and French style. It was built for King Sisavang Vong and his family during the French colonial era. After the death of King Sisavang Vong, the crown Prince Savang Vatthana and his family were the last to occupy the palace. After the revolution in 1975, the building was taken over by the government. The palace was then converted into a national museum and opened to the public in 1995.more at: www.laos-guide-999.com
also known as “Haw Kham” was once Laos' Royal Palace. It houses a lot of interesting historical items. Built in 1904, it features a blend of Lao traditional and French style. It was built for King Sisavang Vong and his family during the French colonial era. After the death of King Sisavang Vong, the crown Prince Savang Vatthana and his family were the last to occupy the palace. After the revolution in 1975, the building was taken over by the government. The palace was then converted into a national museum and opened to the public in 1995.more at: www.laos-guide-999.com
Haw Pha Bang (Royal Temple)
A very ornate temple, the Haw Pha Bang which translates to “Royal temple” is also known as the Wat Ho Pha Bang. It was built to house Laos’ most sacred Buddha image. The Haw Pha Bang temple was built to enshrine the Phra Bang Buddha, the most highly revered Buddha image in the country. more at: www.renown-travel.com
A very ornate temple, the Haw Pha Bang which translates to “Royal temple” is also known as the Wat Ho Pha Bang. It was built to house Laos’ most sacred Buddha image. The Haw Pha Bang temple was built to enshrine the Phra Bang Buddha, the most highly revered Buddha image in the country. more at: www.renown-travel.com
Mount Phou Si
Rising 150 metres above the centre of town, Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure on the Luang Prabang skyline. At the top of Mount Phousi is the golden Wat Chomsi, which was built in 1804. Halfway up the hill is the Wat Tham Phousi shrine, which features a big-bellied Buddha nestled in a grotto and a reclining Buddha. The Thanon Phousi staircase consists of 355 steps that zigzag up to the summit, but it is well paved and offers several resting places along the way. source: www.visit-laos.com
Rising 150 metres above the centre of town, Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure on the Luang Prabang skyline. At the top of Mount Phousi is the golden Wat Chomsi, which was built in 1804. Halfway up the hill is the Wat Tham Phousi shrine, which features a big-bellied Buddha nestled in a grotto and a reclining Buddha. The Thanon Phousi staircase consists of 355 steps that zigzag up to the summit, but it is well paved and offers several resting places along the way. source: www.visit-laos.com
Wat Wisunarat (Wat Visoun)
Dating back to 1513 and the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), Wat Wisunarat is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. The history of the temple is colourful with it being originally crafted from wood before being burned by Black Haw riders in 1887. The Black Haw riders were part of the Black Flag military rebel group led by a Chinese commander at the end of the 1880s. Post invasion, it was rebuilt using stucco and brick and retains some original pieces including a stupa that was created in 1503 along with some other small Buddha icons although many were stolen during the Haw raid. more at: www.visit-laos.com
Dating back to 1513 and the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), Wat Wisunarat is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. The history of the temple is colourful with it being originally crafted from wood before being burned by Black Haw riders in 1887. The Black Haw riders were part of the Black Flag military rebel group led by a Chinese commander at the end of the 1880s. Post invasion, it was rebuilt using stucco and brick and retains some original pieces including a stupa that was created in 1503 along with some other small Buddha icons although many were stolen during the Haw raid. more at: www.visit-laos.com
Wat Nong Sikhounmuang
Temple sheltering one of the largest pagodas in Luang Prabang, which was recently renovated. The pagoda is richly decorated with stencils. In a style inspired by that of Vientiane, the temple has one of the most dazzlingly beautiful coloured roofs, in the Thai style, the same sort as that of Wat Sene. source: www.luangprabang-laos.com
Temple sheltering one of the largest pagodas in Luang Prabang, which was recently renovated. The pagoda is richly decorated with stencils. In a style inspired by that of Vientiane, the temple has one of the most dazzlingly beautiful coloured roofs, in the Thai style, the same sort as that of Wat Sene. source: www.luangprabang-laos.com
Wat Sensoukharam
one of the major monasteries in Luang Prabang. Was built in 1714 by someone called Tia Tiao during the reign of King Kithasarat (1707-25). The most distinctive feature of this monastery is its maroon walls which are richly ornamented and stencilled in gold. The sim has a four-tier roof. On both sides of it are richly ornamented windows, each with four carved balusters. On both sides of the windows are apsaras or deities standing on mystical beasts. The interior of the sim is painted maroon and extensively stencilled in gold, covering walls, columns and ceiling. source: www.asiaexplorers.com
one of the major monasteries in Luang Prabang. Was built in 1714 by someone called Tia Tiao during the reign of King Kithasarat (1707-25). The most distinctive feature of this monastery is its maroon walls which are richly ornamented and stencilled in gold. The sim has a four-tier roof. On both sides of it are richly ornamented windows, each with four carved balusters. On both sides of the windows are apsaras or deities standing on mystical beasts. The interior of the sim is painted maroon and extensively stencilled in gold, covering walls, columns and ceiling. source: www.asiaexplorers.com
Wat Thatluanc
Wat Manorom
Wat Hosian
Wat Phonxay
Wat Pahouak
Wat Choumkhongsou
Wat Xiengmouane
Wat Pa Phay