The most beautiful religious buildings Laos

Its name means "Monastery of the Golden City" or "Monastery of the Flaming City". It was built in 1560 by King Sai Sethathirath, a patron of the arts, to commemorate the memory of Thao Chanthaphanith, a merchant from Vientiane who was (according to legend) elected King of Luang Prabang before Fa Ngum. Until 1975 it remained under the guardianship of the royal family. It is an absolutely sumptuous place from an artistic and architectural point of view. The roof perfectly illustrates the local style with its complex structure of superimposed planes, its golden façade with a red background, its square and black pillars decorated with golden stencils, and its roof almost reaching the ground. The legend of Thao Chanthaphanith is illustrated inside the vihan.

Outside, the bas-reliefs on black or red background, illustrate on the right the legend of Thao Sisouthone and on the left that of Thao Souttasom. At the back, the superb Bodhi tree - tree of enlightenment or tree of life - climbs up the façade. The remarkable tradition of colored glass mosaics is very old. At the top of the roof, the dok so fa represents the bouquet of flowers of heaven. The chapel of the funeral chariot of King Sisavang Vong is of Xieng Khouang style. The imposing golden wooden chariot, which is 12 meters high, was used to transport the remains of King Sisavang Vong to That Luang for his cremation in April 1961. As for the Standing Buddha Chapel, it houses a gilded bronze statue, a gift from the King of Thailand to King Sisavang Vong. The Red Chapel in the shape of a parallelepiped (two-story composite roof, red pediment with gold decorations in bas-relief) houses a bronze statue of Buddha lying down in expectation of Nirvana; a statue cast in 1569, on the order of King Say Sethathirath. It is one of the most venerated in the country. The magnificent mosaics on the walls of the chapel depict scenes of life in a traditional village of the time. One can admire houses, trees, horses, elephants, fishing and hunting scenes, as well as religious scenes. Vat Xieng Thong is a high place of worship, very important during the celebration of the Lao New Year (Pi May, mid-April). On the second day, the meu nao, the superiors of the vat of Luang Prabang, arrive carried by faithful on the occasion of a great procession, in order to proceed to the ritual watering of the images of the Buddha and to attend the sacred dance of Phou Nieu Nia Nieu, the mythological ancestors of the Laotians.

This is most certainly the emblematic monument of Laos, both historically and geographically. Originally, his name was Phra Tjédi Lokatchoulamani, which means "Divine reliquary", the precious summit of the world. That Luang is a more generic term that could be translated as Grand stupa. And you'll notice that every city has its own That Luang.

It is Asoka, a great Indian Buddhist ruler, who is said to be at the origin of the foundation of the vat, in the 3rd century BC. According to tradition, a fragment of the Buddha's iliac bone (some say a hair of the master) would have been deposited in the heart of the building. In any case, it is certain that between the 7th and 10th centuries, during the Sikhottabong period, otherwise known as the Mon period, That Luang was an important religious centre.

Subsequently, from the 11th to the 13th century, during the Say Fong period, the plain of Vientiane was occupied by the Khmers; a statue representing Jayavarman VII, who ruled Angkor from 1181 to 1218, was found near That, supporting the idea that That Luang was greatly influenced by the Khmer Empire. The strange statue at the entrance of the cloister also dates from this period. He is a Khmer-style guard, carrying a long club at the height of his lower abdomen.

The lower part of it having disappeared, one now has the impression that he is holding his sex in his hand. This is one of the many symbols that make it possible to associate this vat with the phallic emblem. In the 14th century, the kingdom of Lan Xang was created by Fa Ngum. Vientiane was then downgraded to Luang Prabang and the Vat That Luang was profoundly redesigned, so much so that the Khmer temple was replaced by a laterite stupa.

Nothing remains of this monument because it was covered by what was to become the present That Luang. It wasn't until the 16th century and the reign of Setthathirath that Vientiane regained its hegemony, and That Luang the form it takes today. In 1566, this vast building, 54 m long and 45 m high, was inaugurated. One could already admire the bulb in carafe finished by a gilded copper tip. The thirty small bells built on its perimeter, also called palami, represented the three degrees of each of the ten perfections of Buddhist doctrine.

In the seventeenth century, the That Luang truly became the symbol of national unity, then it was ransacked during the various wars, and left abandoned. However, the French School of the Far East became aware of its importance and, from 1930 to 1935, restoration work was undertaken. The stupa was rebuilt in the image of Louis Delaporte's sketches, the cloister was rebuilt as well as the prayer pavilions and the entrance doors.

In 1957, for the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha's birth, the bulb and the lotus flower-shaped base were covered with a layer of gold. Today, the Vat That Luang is indeed the emblem of national identity. The That Luang festival is celebrated in every stupa in the country at the time of the full moon in October, in every That Luang in the country. It is particularly pompous and lively in Vientiane. This event will show you how much this monument can change its appearance and regain its bright colours when it welcomes monks and monks from all over the country. A true Buddhist pilgrimage to a sacred shrine in Laos.

Located in the south of the city, next to the sports field, this temple whose name means "the temple of the stupa" was built by Mangthatourath around 1818. Also called Wat Pra Mahathat, the pagoda was named after the Lanna-style temple in northern Thailand. It was built in 1548 by King Say Setthathirath, but was almost completely destroyed during the storm of 1900, as was Vat Ho Xiang. It was therefore rebuilt and renovated several times (the last time in the early 2000s). It shelters about ten Buddhas. Moreover, it is the seat of many festivals in honor of Buddha, and the population meets there frequently. During the Lao New Year, Pi May, this temple is very active. Until 1975, the temple was used to celebrate the funerals and cremation of the high dignitaries of the kingdom. You won't miss the stupa or that. The That Luang is square plan, redented. Second emblem of the country after the That Luang of Vientiane, it is a "funerary" building which would shelter relics of Buddha. The smallest golden stupa, opposite the sim, was built in 1820 during the reign of Queen Pathoumma. Since the 1960s it has contained the ashes of Her Majesty Sisavang Vong, who died in 1959. The Wat also has a number of smaller stupas containing ashes of kings and other members of the royal family. The complex is home to one of the largest monk communities in the city, in traditional-style living quarters.

Located in the heart of the historic city, along Sakkarine Road, Vat Sene is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. Built in 1718 by King Kitsarath, the first ruler of the independent kingdom of Luang Prabang, on the site of an ancient shrine dating from the reign of Souvanna Banlang, Vat Sene Souk Haram literally means "temple of 100,000 treasures". It was the first monastery of Luang Prabang whose vihan (or sim) was covered with yellow and red tiles, of Thai inspiration in the Lanna style. At that time, such architectural audacity must have provoked a great outcry. The same type of colours can be found in the Vat Nong Sikhounmuang. Buddhist deities holding lotus flowers on horses and lions are represented in gold on the bright red walls. The windows are decorated with Khmer-style wooden balustrades and shutters. There are also two large dugout canoes used during the festival of canoes every year in August or September. This complex of the "Patriarch's Temple", as it is also called, houses a monastery with several dwellings for the monks, several stupas and chapels with Buddha statues, and a tower where a drum is enthroned. It was restored for the first time in 1932, and was restored a second time in 1957, on the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha's birth, when it was consecrated anew. Unfortunately the sim rarely opens its doors, but with a bit of luck...

Wat Choum Khong is located at the end of the alleyway housing the Heuan Puang Champa. The name of this temple literally means "temple in the heart of the Gong". It is a beautiful building built during the reign of King Sukaseum (or Sukaseum) in 1843 and has been renovated several times since then. This temple is one of the most flowery of Luang Prabang, we can especially see Bougainvilleas. Located in the centre of the peninsula, where the commercial and tourist activities of the city are concentrated, it enjoys great tranquility. Close to the Vat Xieng Mouane, it shares not only the same architectural style but also some of its walls. The sim, like the majority of the city's walls, is decorated with gilded doors and frames, and its facade has a finely carved wooden mantling. One will take time to stroll in its garden which houses some recent statues of Buddha in the traditional positions, stupas, a tower with a drum, and a small chapel. Two Chinese-inspired stone statues frame the stairs leading to the sim. Reflecting the elements of yin and yang, the statues represent two of the main bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism: Vajra, the lightning or thunderbolt, representing male principles, and Ghanta, the bell, representing female principles.

Next to the temple, you can see the former house of the prince, the Villa Xieng Mouane, which has housed the tourist information centre and temporary exhibitions since 2006.

The superb view of Luang Prabang and the surrounding mountains is worth the effort: a climb of 328 steps. It is advisable to go early enough in the late afternoon to admire the sunset. At the foot of the hill stands the 19th century monastery of Wat Pa Houak, whose façade is decorated with wood carvings and mosaics depicting Buddha riding Erawan, the three-headed elephant. On the north face, the remains of Vat Pa Phou Thabat can be seen. Despite the horde of tourists who flock there at the end of the day, the visit is well worthwhile.

The Vat Chomsi is at the top. This small cross-shaped temple was enlarged in 1796. On the last evening of Pi May(Lao New Year), it was once the starting point for the procession of Nang Sang Khan, tutelary deity of the New Year: a long procession descended the steps to bring the sovereign the support of heaven, the protection of the geniuses and the homage of the people. The Ramayana was then performed in the purest tradition. Nowadays, this procession has been replaced by that of the civil and religious authorities of the country, accompanied by Miss Laos and the inhabitants of the city.

The That Chomsi, also on Mount Phousi, is a stupa built in 1804 by King Anurut and restored in 1914 by Tiao Komakhoun Duang Chanh, director of worship at the time. Its base is rectangular and not square, like that of the other stupa. Since 1997, it illuminates the city with all its majesty.

On the other side of the Japanese bridge stands a large golden Buddha. You can reach it by road by tuk-tuk or scooter. The most courageous will park at the bottom and climb the 250 steps to the top. The interest of the site is its spectacular view on Paksé and the Mekong River. There is a peaceful atmosphere, conducive to meditation. Behind the Buddha is Wat Phousalao, a small and friendly temple where a monk will welcome you and offer you a blessing.

Vat Mai Suwannaphumaham, one of the largest temples in Luang Prabang, is located in front of the night market, next to the Royal Palace, making it one of the most visited. The Wat Mai, whose name means "new monastery", is said to have been built around 1796 under the orders of King Anurut, who wanted to build a monastery more beautiful than the others. It was then enlarged in the 19th century. It was during its restoration during the reign of King Manthatourat (1817-1836) that it took its final name. It benefited from major renovations in 1943 and 1962.
The roof of the sim is made of five wooden sections. The gilded motifs on the walls relate the legend of Pha Vet (Vessantara), the penultimate reincarnation of the Buddha, amidst village scenes. The magnificent red interior nave with its gilded motifs on the columns and walls, the various gilded Buddha statues, including the imposing central statue, are to be appreciated. Wat Mai is of particular importance among the city's temples, for a time it was the temple of the royal family; it also housed the Phra Bang, the country's national mystical emblem, after the Chinese invasion in the second half of the 19th century. It was also the residence of the highest Lao Buddhist dignitary, Pra Sangkharat.

During Pi May, the Lao New Year, the Phra Bang, the national emblem, is displayed for 3 days in a temporary pavilion in front of the sim. People from all over the country then come to sprinkle the sacred statue with water and make wishes.

This vat is a historical paradox as it is both the oldest and the newest temple in Vientiane. Indeed, it was built only a few years before the arrival of the Siamese in the city, at the beginning of the 19th century, but remains the oldest monastery as it is the only one that has never been destroyed by the invaders. Vat Sisakhet was founded on Thursday, March 4, 1819 by Chao Anou, the last king of Vientiane known as Anouvong.

At the time of its foundation, it had a name of Pali origin - Wat Sattasahatsa Vihararama - which means "monastery of the hundred thousand blissed". It is said to have been renamed Vat Sisakhet by the first Laotians who returned to Vientiane after their massive deportation on the right bank of the Mekong and who discovered this large statue of Buddha with his big head (sisa in pali) and the flame above it (ketu).

On the left, before the entrance to the cloister, is the old library of the temple. The large cupboard used to contain many manuscripts. The roof of the building (on four levels) is of Burmese inspiration.

Originally, the sim (or central shrine) and the cloister contained more than nine thousand statues of Buddha evoking the miracle of Sravasti. During the Siamese invasion, most of this wealth was looted and scattered, and if the soldiers did not burn down the monastery, it is said to have been because it resembled the buildings of the new Siamese capital.

Today, more than 2,000 small Buddha statues are arranged in small niches dug into the wall of the vat. In the courtyard you will notice a shelter enclosed by metal bars, where very damaged Buddha statues are piled up, often decapitated: they must have been melted down to make weapons during the Lao-Siamese conflict of 1828.

Inside the sim are tiny crypts dedicated to Buddha. Its wooden coffered ceiling is one of the strangest and if it reminds you of your visit to Versailles, it is not by chance. At the time of Louis XIV, Siam had a large delegation in France, and the French architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries had a definite influence. Note the lotus flower pendants and the stone statue of the Buddha on the altar, dating from the 13th century. Behind the sim is a long wooden naga which is used only to pour lustrous water (watering the Buddhas) over the Buddha statues during the Lao New Year, or Pi May Lao, festival. This vat definitely deserves a thorough visit.

This temple is in a very quiet area. Here you can admire many decorative works, such as paintings, gilding, stencils and woodwork. The monastery of the "joyful sounds" was built in 1853 by Phagna Phimphisane. In the past, it had a copper-plate floor. Its frescoes tell the legend of its creator. Those inside, behind the altar, represent the miracle of Savatti during which Buddha, outraged by an incredulous prince, multiplied infinitely his image in the sky to convince him.

Vat Ho Phra Kèo is not a simple temple; it is a palace monastery - Vat Ho - whose maintenance was not ensured by monks, but by the sovereign himself. Vat Ho Phra Kèo literally means "Emerald Buddha's palace monastery", it was built to shelter this famous Emerald Buddha whose story follows.

In 1545, Setthathirath, who was to make Vientiane the capital of Lane Xang, was only 12 years old when his father, Phothisararath, appointed him to the throne of Chiang Mai at the request of the notables of this small kingdom then called Lan Na. Phothisararath died accidentally shortly afterwards and the young Setthathirath was called to succeed him. In honor of his reign, the notables of Chiang Mai presented him with a gift: a small jade colored statue of Buddha sitting in the meditation position, Phra Keo.

Luang Prabang already possessing the Phra Bang, the young sovereign decided to install this Buddha in the enclosure of his new residence in Vientiane. The palace monastery then had a proud appearance with its huge gilded and carved wooden doors, its red and gold murals, and its slender roof with a triple-slope break. However, relations deteriorated between the ancient kingdom of Lan Na, under Siamese rule, and that of Lane Xang. Ayuthya, the Siamese king, made it a point of honour to recover Phra Kèo which he considered as part of his national heritage. In 1779, following the defeat of the Lao army against the Siamese, the Emerald Buddha definitively took the road to Bangkok where it is today exposed in another Vat Ho Phra Kèo (Wat Phra Kaew as it is called in Thailand). In 1828, Vientiane was burnt to the ground; the vat remained in ruins until 1936, when the Laotian and French authorities decided to restore the monument. Under the direction of Prince Souvanna Phouma, a public works engineer by training, the building was rebuilt on the model of the old one, the aim of this reconstruction being to turn it into a museum of religious arts. The pieces that had been stored in various monasteries were transferred there and, in 1954, those from the Lao collection of the Louis Finot Museum in Hanoi were added to the collection. Today, one can admire some beautiful pieces: stelae engraved with Mon inscriptions; sumptuous golden throne; statues of Khmer origin and a number of wood carvings, including these superb carved doors which are one of the main treasures of Lao art.

His real name is Wat Maha Visunarath. Built in 1512 by order of King Visunarat, Vat Visoun is only the brick version of the original wooden vat, burnt by the Black Chinese Pavilions in 1887. Moreover, several statues of Buddha that it housed can now be found in the National Museum. It was rebuilt during the reign of Sakkarin Kamsuk at the end of the 19th century. It has a rather sober style to which a high ceiling gives a noble appearance. In the entrance, white marble decorates the floor, while the interior is covered with black marble, polished by time. The windows are similar to those seen in the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. The vat is home to some very beautiful religious works of art. Pi May ceremonies end here, in front of That Phathoum, the great stupa of the vat. Its popular name is That Mak Mo, which means "watermelon stupa", in reference to the shape of its dome. The spectacle of the Phou Nieu Nia Nieu (mythological ancestors of the Laotian people) closes the festivities to the sound of drums. Observe attentively the serene face of the Great Buddha inside the vihan (worship room). According to the legend, no artist had been able to give the right expression to this Buddha's face. Many tried but in vain, none seemed able to reproduce what he thought was beautiful and right. One day, while the craftsmen were taking a nap, a divine act was performed, and when they returned, the Buddha's face bore the expression we now know.

Vat Aham means "monastery of the blossoming heart". It was built at the beginning of the 19th century (around 1822) by King Mang Tha Tourath, close to the main altar of the city's geniuses: Ho Seua Meuang. Located next to Wat Visounnarath and That Makmo, Wat Aham is today a relatively quiet place. Two tigers watch over the pagoda, and the statues of the guardians Ravana and Hanuman - central temple figures from the Ramayana, the Indian epic, and its Laotian counterpart, the Phalak Phalam - stand at the southern and eastern corners of the front porch. Unlike a number of other pagodas in Luang Prabang, there is no external decoration on the walls of the porch. Also noteworthy: the complex houses various stupas and two bodhi trees (banyan or Bo tree) that house the protector of the royal spirit, the Haw Phi Khon. It was under a similar tree that Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya (India). The interior of the sim is colourful, with red and gold pillars, and the walls are covered with paintings depicting Buddhist precepts and scenes from the city's history.

During the 19th century, and before the Vat Mai succeeded him, the Vat Aham served as the residence of the Sangkhalat, the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism; and it was considered the centre of the cult of the guardians of Luang Prabang, the Devata Luang spirits: Phou Gneu and Gna gneu, whose masks and dances are always present in ceremonies, particularly on the occasion of the Lao New Year.

This 18-metre golden stupa, rebuilt after its destruction during the Vietnam War, is the city's holiest religious site. It is located at the top of the stairs overlooking the city. About thirty monks and novices live in the adjacent monastery. You will also see a 15-metre high Buddha statue built in 2010. The view of Oudomxay is really superb as the sun sets. To get there from the main street, take the stairs up the hill. It takes about 10 minutes to walk up the hill.

The building is built in the pure local style: single-covering roof, carved and gilded wooden pediment, round and white pillars and gilded frescoes on a black background. It was built in 1758 during the reign of Sotikakuman. It has not been renovated, its pagoda is in a rather faded state, but it is nonetheless devoid of charm. One will notice the ceiling with traditional stencils, as well as the representations of Buddha present in the vihan. This temple is particularly animated in the afternoon: the young people of the district come to play there in company of the monks.

The entrance to the vat is located on the northeast side of Mount Phousi, opposite the former Royal Palace. The "bamboo forest" monastery was founded in 1861 by Phagna Si Mahan Nam, during the reign of Chantharath. Its wall paintings of the XIXth illustrate the miracle of Jamboupati, a prince too full of his person in front of which Buddha appeared like a king in all his majesty in order to give him a lesson of humility. If this small temple seems neglected, even abandoned - it has not been renovated -, it comes back to life during the festival season.

The Vat Phra Bat Tai, or "Buddha's footprint monastery", was built in the 15th century. Its recent vihan (room of worship) is undoubtedly of Thai inspiration (Lanna style, the former royal capital, today Chiang Mai). In 1960, its restoration was entrusted to the Sino-Vietnamese community. The Chinese-style entrance portico dates from 1970. To the right of it, the prasat is in Khmer style. The southern footprint of Buddha's foot is worthy of special veneration.

Close to Wat That Luang, this temple is said to have been founded in 1375 by Samsenthai, the son of Fa Ngum, southwest of the city centre. All that remains of the original sanctuary is the one-armed Buddha, a large bronze statue that must have been about 6 m high and 12 tons in weight, without a base. This statue dates from about 1378. It is probably the oldest statue of Buddha in Laos. It was an important temple, and in fact it housed the Prabang, the emblem of the city, from 1502 to 1513, before it was transported to Wat Wasunalat.

That Dam means "black stupa". It is one of the oldest monuments in Vientiane, and its corroded coating is beginning to crumble... However, under its decaying appearance, it is said to shelter the seven-headed dragon, the city's saviour who appeared in 1828, in whose honour this monument was built in the 14th century... According to another legend, it was originally covered with gold, then was plundered in 1828; it was therefore renamed the black stupa, in memory of this despicable act. It is located in the middle of a quiet square, in the middle of a small garden.

A statue of King Sisavang Vong is enthroned at the main entrance of this temple which is very important to the inhabitants. Indeed, it contains the square pillar that founded the city, considered to be the home of Vientiane's protective spirit and its tutelary genius. Its phallic form also makes it a place of worship for fertility. As such, it is one of the most visited temples in the capital. It was erected in 1563, when King Setthathirath settled in his new capital. Destroyed in the 19th century, the sim was rebuilt in 1915. An old statue of the Buddha currently surrounding the pillar is said to have powers of divination and may grant certain wishes, particularly those relating to procreation. Legend has it that the king asked that a hole be dug to house the pillar, and that it be big enough to house a person and a horse. A woman three months pregnant came on foot from a village a day's walk away to offer herself as a sacrifice. She was put in the hole and then a horse was forced in there as well. Both were buried alive. Buddhists from Laos and other countries are attracted by the miraculous powers that the temple would possess. The faithful come here to share their wishes that they hope will be granted. If these wishes come true, then they must return to give offerings (candles, coconuts, food, money...). These offerings can be obtained at the entrance if you wish to perform these rituals.