Wat Xiengthong

Sure! Here’s Wat Xiengthong is one of the most beautiful and historically important temples in Laos, located at the tip of the Luang Prabang peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. This temple is a must-visit for anyone exploring the spiritual and cultural heart of the country. The architecture is simply stunning. The sweeping roofs, intricate gold stenciling, and richly decorated walls showcase classic Lao craftsmanship at its finest. The sim (ordination hall) is especially impressive, with its low, graceful rooflines and vibrant mosaics, including the iconic Tree of Life on the rear wall — a masterpiece in colored glass. Walking through the grounds feels like stepping back in time. There are several smaller chapels and stupas, including a royal funerary carriage house, all telling their own stories of Lao religious life and royal heritage. The peaceful atmosphere, enhanced by the gentle sounds of monks chanting or birds in the surrounding trees, adds to the sacred experience. Wat Xiengthong is not just a historical site; it is still an active place of worship and deeply respected by locals. Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly and behave respectfully. Highly recommended for: • History and culture lovers • Architecture and art enthusiasts • Anyone seeking serenity in a spiritual setting A visit to Luang Prabang isn’t complete without spending time at this magnificent temple — truly a jewel of Lao heritage.

Wonderful temple with lots of story mozaik. The energy of the temple areas are subtle,calming, and smooth. Entry ticket is easily to get, at the entrance. Morning and around 12ish were quiet when I visited. Other than that big group of tourist with loud voices come and go ....

Beautiful temple. If you go in the evening after closing, you can observe the chanting monks who say their evening prayers. Please remember to be respectful as the temple main doors are left open and the inner sanctum accessible. I saw fellow Americans tourists walking into the temple, snapping pictures of the praying monks and talking in regular voice. The monks showed their grace by just continuing with their chanting and ignoring the rude tourists.

Wat Xieng Thong is probably the most beautiful monastery in all of Laos. This ancient Buddhist temple, known as the "Temple of the Golden City" is situated in the northern tip of the Luang Prabang peninsular and is a must-see. The temple was built between 1559 and 1560 by King Setthathirath. Wat Xieng Thong was a royal temple and was used as a place for the kings to be crowned. The confines of the temple contains a great number of historic and interesting stupas and monuments. Together with the beautiful, ornate pavilion containing the royal funerary carriage which includes a number of urns used by the royal family. But, of course the main Sim is the centre piece of the temple with its cascading roofs and the glass mosaic depicting the Tree if Life. The interior is magnificent with the gold stenciled walls and main Statue of the Buddha.

Wat Xiengthong is a must-visit gem in Luang Prabang, Laos. Considered one of the most important and beautiful temples, it showcases stunning classic Laotian architecture, especially its gracefully multi-tiered roofs sweeping low towards the ground. Don't miss the intricate 'Tree of Life' glass mosaic on the back wall. A truly peaceful and historically significant place offering a glimpse into Laos' rich culture

Wat Xieng Thong is a Buddhist temple built by King Setthathirath, in the year 1560. It's one of the most important of Lao monasteries and the most beautiful one too. The entire complex is quite huge, with the Mekong river in one side. There is the main temple and several other smaller temples with sleeping Buddha and one with a small hole, through which you can see only Buddha's face. The glass tile work on the temple walls are beautiful and breathtaking. The temple is so colorful that one cannot stop clicking pictures. The flowers offered to Lord Buddha is very unique, wrapped in banana leaves, in a conical shape. It's the best place in Luang Prabang to visit.

One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Laos and definitely worth seeing. The entrance ticket costs 30k LAK.

I don’t think we should really rate or rank temples or Wat’s, it seems a bit harsh for us hundreds of years later but if I did this one isn’t really anything special. It’s in a lovely part of town down by the river but lots of people and really not very much to see. 30k kip to enter. Hopefully you don’t get stuck behind daft Americans trying to pay in every other currency except the local one like I did! Sorry, not for me this one. And the bus loads of Chinese tourists maybe didn’t help either!!