Wat Long Khun

Lonely Planet review

Wat Long Khun, almost directly across the Mekong River from Wat Xieng Thong, is the best place to disembark by boat for Xieng Maen explorations if you're chartering a boat. This wat features a nicely decorated portico, vintage 1937, plus older sections from the 18th century and a few fading Jataka murals. When the coronation of a Luang Prabang king was pending, it was customary for him to spend three days in retreat at Wat Long Khun before ascending the throne.

A restoration project, completed in 1995 by the Department of Museums and Archaeology, with the assistance of the Ecole Française d'Extrême Orient, has brought new life and beauty to the monastery buildings.