Luang Prabang is an exceptional town simply because of the concentration of so many temples in such a small area.
Even though it was almost completely destroyed at the end of the XIXth century, it was rebuilt identically and today, represents a rare heritage in S.E. Asia.
You can see in the article on architecture, a specific part of which is devoted to religion, where all the details of these buildings are given, as well as on the site Oriental Architecture which we used as a basis for our work.
Wat Mai
The Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham or Wat Mai (New Monastery) is one of the biggest and most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang. Its central position (in front of the night market and beside the Royal Palace) makes it one of the most visited temples of this ancient royal town.
This Wat was built by King Anourout at the end of the XVIIIth century and was enlarged in the XIXth century. Its restoration, during the reign of King Manthatourat (1817-1836) gave it it’s final name of "New Monastery ".
This temple is very important for the Laotians of Luang Prabang. After the Chinese had destroyed the town in the last half of the XIXth century, it served as a temple for the royal family, and also sheltered for a long time the Phra Bang, which is a mystical emblem in this country. It was also, the residence of the highest Lao Buddhist dignitary, Pra Sangkharat.
Wat Xieng Thong
The Wat Xieng Thong, "monastery of the golden city", is the religious emblem of Luang Prabang and one of the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos which was the reason why it was spared from the plunder of 1887.
Constructed in 1560 by king Setthathirat, it was considered as the architectural reference of Luang Prabang with a very pointed vihan which comes down very low (more information on this subject in the article on religious architecture.)
Wat That
his temple (whose name means "the Stupa temple".) and its garden, are surely the most beautiful in Luang Prabang. It is the centre for numerous festivities in honour of Buddha, where the villagers of Ban Wat That meet frequently along with the villagers of Ban Ho Xieng (whose temple is near the Wat That). It is one of the most sacred temples in Luang Prabang, where venerable monks from numerous temples meet during Pimay (New Year in Laos).
The pagoda
So called in memory of the Lanna style temple in North Thailand, it was constructed in 1548 by King Say Setthathirath, and was almost completely destroyed during the storm of 1900, along with the Wat Ho Xiang. This large pagoda was rebuilt, and renovated several times (each time there were minor additions and modifications), the last one dating from the beginning of the years 2000. The stencilling especially underwent complete renovation.
The temple contains dozens of Buddha’s; it is one of the most active temples in Luang Prabang, being as it shares many roles with the Ban Ho Xieng temple.
The Stûpa
This stupa is one of the most symbolic religious relics in Luang Prabang, second only after the Wat That Luang (the pagoda beside the town’s old sports ground).
The Stupa (or That) is a solid construction, used for celebrating fulfilled wishes and funeral purposes. It contains the relics of a very important person.
Wat Ho Xiang
This temple was called on to honour a ceremony which took place in 1548 and was presided by King Setthathirat. It was constructed at the beginning of the XVIIIth century. Carrying the same name as the Ban (synonym of village or district), the Wat Ho Xiang accommodated about 30 bonzes, in 2008, of which 4 are very respected and also one "female bonze" (a woman having assumed a white costume and a shaven head, and whose role is mainly to serve the bonzes for certain household jobs; there are not many of them in the pagodas of the centre of Luang Prabang; they mainly stay in the Phon Phao Temple).
If the simple style of this monastery is no different from numerous temples in Luang Prabang, the ‘Nagas’ (or water snakes) who protect the entrance, as well as the paintings inside and outside of the main pagoda, are perfectly conserved and have certainly been restored in the last few years.
Wat Tchoum Khong
The Wat Tchoum Khong (which means ’Temple with the heart of a Gong) was founded by Pakhu Keo in 1843, under the reign of King Sukaseum (1836-1851). It is one of the temples with the most flowers in Luang Prabang. Situated in the middle of the peninsula, where you will find all the commercial and tourist activities of the town, it is still a very calm place.
The garden is to be admired with its recent statues of Buddha in numerous traditional postures. The buildings have been recently renovated and the garden landscaped. The bougainvilleas are the most beautiful in town, which is renowned for its flower beds.
2 stone statues flank the stairs that lead to the Vihan. Of Chinese inspiration, they were given to King Chantharath (1850-1872) by the Chinese ambassador of Kunming, when he visited Luang Prabang. Showing elements of yin and yang, the statues represent two of the principle bodhisattvas (or enlightened beings) of Chinese Buddhism: Vajra, (lightning or a clap of thunder), representing masculine principles, and Ghanta representing a bell, or feminine principles.
You can admire the Prince’s old house, just beside the temple, the Villa Xieng Mouane. It was renovated at the end of the 1990’s by Heritage House and, since 2006, hosts a tourist information centre and certain exhibitions.
