If you only visit one temple in Luang Prabang, I highly recommend Wat Xieng Thong

Luang Prabang is home to over 30 temples just within the city area. As a tourist, it's impossible to visit them all, and Southeast Asian temples are quite different from those in China, often lacking the courtyard layout and sometimes consisting of just a single hall. To save time and focus on the most classic sites, if you can only visit one temple in Luang Prabang, I highly recommend Wat Xieng Thong!

Wat Xieng Thong was built in 1560 and has a history of over 400 years. It remained a private property of the royal family until 1975, hosting important royal ceremonies and holding significant status among the many temples in Luang Prabang, with high architectural standards.

How to explore it?
1. Enter through the east gate, and the first large hall on the right was once the royal funeral hall. The golden walls at the entrance are magnificent, and inside, there's a 12-meter-high dragon-headed hearse with a golden urn for royal ashes.
2. Opposite and ahead is the main hall of Wat Xieng Thong, with its unique three-tiered roof, representing the classic Luang Prabang temple architectural style.
3. Inside the main hall, it's resplendent with gold, featuring eight large pillars engraved with golden patterns.
4. The famous red mural wall is outside the small room on the left side of the main hall. Stand inside the hall and look out the window to capture the view from the passage between the main and small halls.
5. The renowned Tree of Life is on the back wall of the main hall, with colorful glass and gold decorations on the front wall, sparkling in the sunlight.

Tips:
1. Remember to take off your shoes, hat, and sunglasses when entering each hall.
2. Dress appropriately; women are advised to wear long skirts, and men should avoid very short shorts. Shirts should have sleeves.

Wat Xieng Thong
Navigation: Wat Xieng Thong
Ticket Price: 20,000 kip

#LuangPrabang #TempleVisit #LaosTravel

Post by _TwilightWhisper | Jan 23, 2025