Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Temple-hopping in Luang Prabang

Legend has it that Buddha smiled when he rested here for a day during his travels. Prophesying that it would one day be the site of a rich and powerful capital city – UNESCO.Org

No wonder Luang Prabang is a home to more than 30 temples that houses hundreds of monks. Actually, there were almost 70 different temples in the town since the beginning of Lao history, but only few survived and now are being preserved.

Watmai Suwannaphumaham (The New Monastery of the Golden Land)
Entrance fee: 10, 000kip
It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.


Wat Nong Sikhounmuang 
Free entrance
Wat Nong Sikhounmuang is one of the bigger temples in Luang Prabang. It was built in 1729, during the reign of King Inta Som (1727-76), but was razed in a fire in 1774. The only thing salvaged from the fire was a bronze statue. A full restoration was carried out in 1804 by the Thais, thereby introducing some Thai elements to the design. - source.


Wat Sop Sickharam 
Free entrance


Wat Xieng Thong (Monastery of the Golden City)
Entrance 20, 000
Wat Xieng Thong is regarded as the most beautiful temple, not only in Luang Prabang but one of the most exquisite in all of Laos. It is one of the most important Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument of the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art. - wiki


Wat That Chomsi/ Mount Phou Si/ Wat Tham Phou si
Entrance fee: 20, 000kip

Mount Phou Si is a 100m high hill in the centre of the town of Luang Prabang. It lies in the heart of the old town peninsula and is bordered on one side by the Mekong River and Nam Khan River on the other side. The hill is a local religious site and houses several Buddhist shrine. - wiki


Halfway up the hill, overlooking the Nam Khan is Wat Tham Phou Si, a Buddhist temple. At the summit of the hill, overlooking the town and surrounding countryside, is Wat Chom Si, which is also a Buddhist temple and is a tourist highlight of Luang Prabang. - wiki


I ended my temple hopping at the summit of Mount Phou Si, and waited for the beautiful sunset to wrap my beautiful day.

sunsets in Luang Prabang

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