Architecture sights in Luang Prabang
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Wat Xieng Thong
Near the northern tip of the peninsula formed by the Mekong River and the Nam Khan is Luang Prabang’s most magnificent temple, Wat Xieng Thong. King Setthathirat ordered the construction of Wat Xieng Thong’s sǐm (ordination hall) in 1560, and the compound remained under royal patronage until 1975. Wat Xieng Thong was placed within easy reach of the Mekong. The hǎw tąi (Tripitaka library) was added in 1828, and the haw kąwng (drum tower) in 1961.
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Wat Wisunarat
Originally built in 1513 during the reign of Chao Wisunarat (King Visoun), Wat Wisunarat is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang. It was rebuilt between 1896 and 1898 following an 1887 fire set by Black Flag Haw raiders. The original was wooden, and in the brick and stucco restoration the builders tried to make the balustraded windows of the sǐm appear to be fashioned of lathed wood (an old South Indian and Khmer contrivance that is uncommon in Lao architecture). The front roof that slopes sideways over the terrace is another unique feature. Inside the high-ceilinged sǐm is a collection of gilded wooden ‘Calling for Rain’ Buddhas and 15th- to 16th-century Luang …
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Wat Xieng Muan
The sǐm (ordination hall) at Wat Xieng Muan dates back to 1879, though the monastery site is much older. The sculpture inside is impressive and the ceiling is painted with gold nagas (mythical water serpents), an uncommon motif in this position - possibly a Thai Lü influence. Also notable is the elaborate háang thíen (candle rail) with nagas at either end.
Wat Xieng Maen, in the village of Xieng Maen, was founded in 1592 by Chao Naw Kaewkumman, son of Setthathirat, but it fell into ruin and had to be rebuilt in 1927. The newer sǐm contains a few artefacts dating from the original temple, including the original doors. This spot is especially sacred to Xieng Maen resid…
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Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
Inaugurated in 1821 (some sources claim 1797), Wat Mai succeeded Wat Aham as the residence of the Sangkharat until that position moved to Pha That Luang in Vientiane. The five-tiered roof of the wooden sǐm follows the standard Luang Prabang style, but the roofed front veranda, with its gables angled towards the sides of the chapel rather than towards the front, is an anomaly. This unusual plan may have been influenced by local vernacular architecture, as exemplified in the old wooden house just across the street from Wat Mai. The front veranda is also remarkable for its decorated columns and the sumptuous gold relief walls that recount the tale of Vessantara (Pha Wet in…
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Wat Long Khun
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.
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That Chomsi
The 24m-high That Chomsi, erected in 1804 and restored in 1914, stands at the summit, clearly visible from most ground-level points in the city. This stupa is the starting point for a colourful Lao New Year procession in mid-April. If you continue over the summit and start down the path on the other side, you'll come to a small cave shrine (sometimes called Wat Tham Phu Si, although without monks it's not officially a wat).
Plopped down in the middle of the cave is a large, fat Buddha image - called Pha Kasai in Lao - and a sheltered area for worshippers. On a nearby crest is a Russian anti-aircraft cannon that children use as a makeshift merry-go-round.
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Wat Pha Mahathat
Wat Pha Mahathat is named for a venerable Lanna-style thâat erected in 1548. The sǐm in front, built in 1910, is quite ornate, with carved wooden windows and portico, rosette-gilded pillars, exterior Jataka (stories of the Buddha's past lives) reliefs and a roof in the Luang Prabang style lined with temple bells. The massive naga along the steps, also Lanna in style, resemble those at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Wat Pha Phutthabaht
Around on the northeastern flank of Phu Si are the ruins of Wat Pha Phutthabaht, originally constructed in 1395 during the reign of Phaya Samsenthai on the site of a 'Buddha footprint'. The ruins are of mixed style but are said to show a definite Lanna or Chiang Mai influence, as well as some later Vietnamese augmentation.
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Phra That Khong Santi Chedi
Phra That Khong Santi Chedi built in 1988, has become a favourite Lao tourist attraction. This large yellow stupa contains three floors inside and an outside terrace near the top with a view of the surrounding plains. The inside walls are painted with all manner of Buddhist stories and moral admonitions.
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Wat Sensoukarahm
Facing Th Sakkarin, Wat Sensoukarahm is a Thai-style wat built in 1718 and restored in 1932 and 1957. The name reportedly refers to its founding on an initial 100000 kip donation. It has one of the most dazzling facades of all of Luang Prabang's temples; rich ruby red with intricate gold overlay.
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Wat Chom Phet
At the top of a hill above Wat Long Khun and Wat Tham is peaceful Wat Chom Phet, built by the Thai army in 1888 and offering an undisturbed view of the town and river. A small thâat here contains the bones of Chao Thong Di (wife of King Sakkarin), who died in 1929.
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Wat Pha Baht Tai
On the Mekong River near the north-western end of Th Phu Vao is the modern Vietnamese-Lao temple Wat Pha Baht Tai. The temple itself is rather garish but behind the temple is a shady terrace overlooking the Mekong; on a hot afternoon this is a good place to cool off and watch the sunset.
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Wat Pa Phai
Set back off the street, Wat Pa Phai's classic Tai-Lao fresco over the gilded and carved wooden façade is at least 100 years old. The picture depicts scenes from everyday Lao life from the era in which it was painted.
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Wat Nong Sikhunmeuang
The simple Wat Nong Sikhunmeuang temple was built in 1729, burned in 1774 and rebuilt in 1804.
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