Temples of Luang Prabang
The monasteries of the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom
The town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses many historical temples. In 1887 the Black Flag Army, a mercenary army from China destroyed and looted the town. Virtually all of the cities temples were destroyed, many ancient Buddha images stolen or destroyed. Only a few monasteries survived the attacks unharmed, most noticeable the Wat Xieng Thong and the Wat Mai.
Most significant temples
Luang Prabang’s most significant temple, the Wat Xieng Thong is found on the tip of the towns peninsula. Both its exterior and interior are very extensively decorated with gold stencilling on black and red lacquer. Three of its buildings, the sim, the red chapel and the library contain colorful mosaics on its exterior walls.
The more recently constructed Haw Pha Bang located on the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum was built to enshrine the countries most highly venerated Buddha image, the 14th century Phra Bang, now enshrined in the Royal Palace Museum.
On top of Phousi Hill is the Wat Tham Phousi temple with a golden pagoda. The Wat itself is small and fairly plain, its main attraction being the location on top of the hill, from where magnificent views of Luang Prabang, the Mekong river and the mountains can be had.
Ancient spirit worshipping
Remnants of ancient spirit worshipping can be found at the small Wat Aham. Centuries ago this temple had a shrine for the guardian spirits of Luang Prabang, that are now believed to reside in a large Bodhi tree on the grounds of the temple. Even today wooden masks are kept at the temple, used for the “Dance of the masks” during the new year festivities.
During Laos new year celebrations monks of several of Luang Prabang’s temples walk in procession towards the Wat Mahathat temple where a dance is performed for the guardian spirits of the city, Pu No and Na No.
Luang Prabang style temple architecture
The Luang Prabang style temples are characterized by an elaborate front façade and large, multi tiered sweeping roofs that almost extend to the ground. The tips of the roof are adorned with finials shaped like a Naga, the mythological serpent believed to protect Buddhism. Typical for Laotian temples are the “Dok so faa”, an ornamental roof element, usually consisting of a number of miniature pagodas topped by multi tiered parasols.
Jataka tales
As in neighboring Thailand, many Laos temples contain murals or stencilling on lacquer of the Jataka tales, the stories about the previous lives of the Buddha.
Luang Prabang temples
Luang Prabang Temples
Other attractions Luang Prabang