Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong was built in 1559 or 1560 near the point where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong, and it escaped the destruction that reached most of the country's older temples. The main hall has the roof that defines the Luang Prabang style: three tiers sweeping down almost to the ground in a curve, with a gilded finial along the ridge. On the rear exterior wall is the tree of life mosaic in coloured glass, and a separate hall holds the royal funeral carriage, a gilded barge with seven-headed nagas at the prow.

History

The name means "Temple of the Golden City". King Setthathirath built it between 1559 and 1560, and as a royal temple it was where kings were crowned, a shrine to Buddhist relics and a library of ancient scripts (Wikipedia, Wat Xieng Thong).

Highlights

• The main hall roof - three tiers curving down nearly to the ground, the signature of the local style.
• The tree of life - a mosaic in coloured glass on red across the rear exterior wall.
• The funeral carriage house - a gilded carriage with naga heads, and the urns it carried.
• The red chapel - a small building holding a reclining Buddha of the sixteenth century.

When to go

November to March is the dry, cool season. Early morning has the best light on the mosaics and the fewest people; the site fills up by mid-morning when the tour groups reach the end of the peninsula. Lao New Year in April brings processions through the temple.

Good to know

It is small, and at busy hours the compound holds more visitors than it comfortably takes. The interior of the main hall is dark and photography inside is restricted. Shoulders and knees must be covered and shoes come off at every threshold.

Nearby

The Mekong boat landing is below the temple, and the peninsula's other temples run back along the main street.

Key facts