TOP 5 MOST SPIRITUAL TEMPLES IN LUANG PRABANG

 Luang Prabang is known as a dense concentration of temples that are called as ‘wats’ in Laos’ language. Until now, there are about 34 the most well-known wats in Luang Prabang. Discovering these places, the travelers can spend their time to experience the numerous temples, understand the Buddhist culture and gaze with the old royal palace. These below are top 5 the most spiritual and worth visiting temples in Luang Prabang.

1. Wat Xieng Thong

The tourists come to Luang Prabang can not miss the precious chance to visit the most historic and splendid temple – Wat Xieng Thong. This temple was built in 1559 and situated at the tip of the peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers run across. Because of its special location, Wat Xieng Thong becomes once the ceremonial gateway to the town. In the visitors’ minds, the temple are nice, elegant and wonderful with beautiful decoration as famous magnificent tree-of-life glass glittering mosaic, gilded teakwood panels and low, elegant sweeping tiered roofs. The wat is the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos.

2. Wat Mai

Wat Mai, located at Sisavangvong Road, which is in front of the night market and beside the Royal Palace. Therefore, this template is most visited temples of this ancient royal town. Wat Mai owns a distinctive five-tiered roof and spacious compound with a prime location on the main street near at the night market and morning market. From time to time, the wat has had ue structure that remained relatively unchanged.

3. Wat Visoun

Wat Visoun, constructed in 1513, is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang. It impresses the tourists with its huge stupa called That Makmo, which in on the temple compound. Because of its odd shape, this stupa is commonly known as the watermelon stupa in stead of its official name. The temple owns ancient Buddha imagesmade of precious materials and other sacred items, including the Luang Prabang sacred Emerald Buddha. However, some destroyed during Chinese invasion in 1887, a number of them are now preserved in the Royal Palace Museum and others are housed displayed in the sim of the temple. The travelers coming to here can not forget its beautiful multiple roof architecture with Sinhalese style, the only stupa of this shape in Laos.

4. Wat Aham

Wat Aham is known as an ideal place for mediation and meetings between spiritual culture and Buddhist practice. Visiting this wat, the travelers can see 2 stylised stucco tigers guarding the pagoda, and the statues of the temple guardians Ravana and Hanuman which stand at the Southern and Eastern corners of the front porch. The locals here beleive that these guardians are the spirits of Luang Prabang. 

5. That Chomsi

That Chomsi, situated at the top of Mount Phousi, is the heart of the town. It is the symbol of Luang Prabang’s spiritual significance to Laos. Taking 300 steps to the wat, the visitors can enjoy various temples, beautiful shady trees and a magnificent panoramic view of the town. At the sunset, the travelers can live in peaceful atmosphere, when the temple reflects the last light rays on one of its face.