Wat Hin Mak Peng

Introducing Wat Hin Mak Peng

Wat Hin Mak Peng (daylight hours) is worth a trip if only for the scenery along Rte 211 as the riverside mountains begin to rise here. The vast forest temple is nationally known for its thúdong (dhutanga in Pali) monks who have taken ascetic vows in addition to the standard 227 precepts, eating only once a day and wearing robes sewn by hand from torn pieces of cloth. There are also several mâe chii living here. This place is very quiet and peaceful, set in a cool forest with lots of bamboo groves overlooking the Mekong. It was built above three giant boulders that form a cliff rising out of the river. From this point, a Lao forest temple can be seen directly across the river and fisherfolk occasionally drift by on house rafts. Several monuments honour Luang Pu Thet, the wat’s deeply revered founding abbot, including a glistening chedi housing all his earthly possessions.

The current abbot requests that visitors dress politely – no shorts or sleeveless tops. Those who don’t observe the code may be turned away.

Last updated: Sep 24, 2008