Close Menu
  • City trips
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Mauritius
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Maldives
      • Oman
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
      • New Zealand
      • Queensland
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Bulgary
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Lithuania
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
        • Azores
      • Russia
      • Spain
        • Ibiza
        • Lanzarote
        • Mallorca
      • Switzerland
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Mexico
  • Hotel tipps
  • Swiss hiking
Recent Posts
  • Istrian Gourmet Experiences: 3 Stellar Restaurants + Our Wishlist for Next Time
  • What to Do Around Trieste: From Fairy-Tale Castles to Spectacular Caves, and Slovenia’s Capital
  • What to Do in Trieste: Explore Italy’s Coffee Capital One Cup at a Time
  • Madeira, the Island of Flowers: 19 Tips for Activities and Attractions.
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS
  • Home
  • About us
  • Media kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
travelmemo
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Commendable hotels
  • Golf
  • Restaurants
  • Hiking
  • City Trips
travelmemo
You are at:Home»Laos»Laos – The land of temples
Laos

Laos – The land of temples

Justine TyermanBy Justine TyermanSeptember 11, 201706 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Justine Tyerman travelled to Laos, famous for its many beautiful Buddhist temples.

I stood in the shade of the teak cloisters, grateful for some respite from the intense heat and humidity of the Laos sun. My eyes struggled to absorb the images surrounding me – 10,136 statues of Buddha dating back to the 16th century lined the walls of the courtyard that enclosed Wat Sisaket, a strikingly-beautiful temple and museum in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Wat Sisaket

Built in 1818 on orders of King Anouvong, it’s the only building to have survived the razing of the city by Siamese (Thai) invaders in 1828 making it the oldest temple in the city.

I was utterly mesmerised by the statues, especially the 8000 tiny miniatures placed in triangular niches in the walls. In front of them are 2000 larger seated Buddhas made of wood, stone and bronze, all with the same facial expression and their hands in the graceful Bhumisparsha mudra, ‘Calling the Earth to witness’ position. Some are standing with both hands by their sides.

Buddhas
Buddhas in Wat Sisaket Vientiane
Buddhas
Wat Sisaket, Vientiane

 

On one side of the courtyard is a huge wooden trough or ‘Hang Hod’ in the shape of a naga or mythical serpent. During Laos New Year celebrations, perfumed water is poured through the trough and used for ceremonial cleaning of the Buddha images.

The central building or sanctuary, known as a ‘sim’, houses the impressive principal Buddha image seated on a high pedestal. Photos are forbidden inside the sim to protect the ancient murals from flashlights.

The temple has an ornate five-tiered roof decorated with golden naga finials. It’s a tranquil, cool place of reflection and quiet meditation.

Wat Sisaket, Vientiane
Wat Sisaket, Vientiane – the temple has an ornate five-tiered roof decorated with golden naga finials

Wat Phra Keo

Nearby Wat Phra Keo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, has a fine collection of Lao and Khmer art. Built in 1565 as a chapel for the royal family, the temple was once home to the Emerald Buddha, hence the name, but the Thais stole the statue in 1778. It is now a museum famous for its wood and stone carvings and collection of Buddhas.

Wat Phra Keo Buddha Statues
Wat Phra Keo – the graceful hands of the Buddha statues
Wat Phra Keo Buddha statues
Wat Phra Keo
Wat Phra Keo Buddha statues
Wat Phra Keo

 

Wat Simuang

Wat Simuang is the most venerated temple in Vientiane, and considered the guardian of the spirit of the city. According to legend, if you circle the Angkorian-era pillar in the grounds three times and make a wish, it will come true.

Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang, or the Great Stupa, is dazzling. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century and restored in 1953, it is the most important Buddhist monument in Laos. The golden spire or stupa is 45m tall and believed to contain a relic of Buddha.

An impressive statue of the king stands in front of the stupa. In the grounds and nearby, there are a number of beautiful ornate temples and a magnificent golden reclining Buddha.

Laos temple Pha That Luang
The huge reclining Buddha near Pha That Luang
A statue near Pha That Luang
A statue near Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang

 

Exquisite temples and saffron-robed monks are quintessential images of Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos.

Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang, was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat. A huge golden Buddha is the centrepiece of the ornately-decorated temple, surrounded by row-upon-row of smaller Buddha statues.

Wat Xieng Thong
Wat Xieng Thong – Justine with a couple of friendly Buddhist monks

The walls of the temple are decorated with magnificent glass mosaics and ornate carvings and murals depicting Lao legends. The golden frontage of the temple is dazzling. So too is the mosaic Tree of Life on an outside wall.

Wat Xieng Thong
Wat Xieng Thong – rows of beautiful Buddha statues against walls decorated with mosaics
Wat Xieng Thong mosaics
Wat Xieng Thong mosaics

There are over 20 structures in the grounds including a building to house the royal funeral barge pulled by a many-headed naga. A couple of friendly young monks were happy to pose in front of the temple. Laos is one of few places in the world where travellers can take photos of local people without having to pay a fee.

Wat Visoun

Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, dates back to 1513 and the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun). Once home to the Prabang Buddhas, the temple was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China.

It’s famous for the ‘Watermelon Stupa’ in the courtyard. It represents a lotus flower but is nicknamed watermelon because of its shape.

Wat Visoun's 'Watermelon Stupa'
Wat Visoun’s ‘Watermelon Stupa’

Wat Mai

We also visited Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, and Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavangvong are kept inside the large central stupa.

Every morning before sunrise, a time-honoured ritual takes place. Hundreds of monks from the temples walk along the streets of Luang Prabang receiving alms. Those giving alms are mainly women who sit in groups on the footpath with their bamboo baskets of sticky rice and other food.

The monks chant blessings to the alms-givers as they walk by with their lidded containers for the food. Aged from eight years to quite elderly, the barefoot, shaven-headed monks are a colourful sight in their bright orange robes.

Buddhist monks in Luang Prabang
Buddhist monks receiving alms in Luang Prabang
Buddhist monks in Luang Prabang
Buddhist monks in Luang Prabang
Buddhist monkss in Luang Prabang

 

About 80 percent of Lao males become monks at some point in their lives. They receive free education, accommodation, food and transport so a period of monkhood is especially common among rural communities where families tend to be larger and less able to afford schooling.

Factbox

Justine Tyerman travelled with Innovative Travel, a Christchurch-based boutique tour operator with 27 years’ experience offering travellers the opportunity to explore historically and culturally unique destinations worldwide that provide a challenge but with the security of a peace-of-mind 24/7 wrap-around service.

Travel Companions’ Club creating new horizons for social travellers: www.travelcompanions.club

Getting there:

Singapore Airlines flies from Auckland to Singapore daily, from Wellington four times weekly, and from Christchurch daily. Singapore Airlines has a code-share agreement with Swiss International Airlines (SWISS).
SilkAir flies from Singapore to Vientiane and Luang Prabang three times weekly.
Lao Airlines flies from Vientiane to Xieng Khuang.

Accommodation:

Crowne Plaza, Vientiane
Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel, Phonsavan
Parasol Blanc, Luang Prabang

Culture Experience
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleCardrona Alpine Resort, Wanaka, wins the vote…
Next Article Falling for Tat Kuang Si Waterfall
Justine Tyerman
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Justine Tyerman is an award-winning New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor with 18 years' experience in newspaper and freelance work. She has worked as a news reporter, feature writer, designer of an award-winning Newspapers in Education programme and sub-editor on local, national, business, education and international desks.

Related Posts

A mountain high on the Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe

April 15, 2022

9+ unique things to do while touring Namibia | travel tips

February 12, 2022

On a leopard safari in Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve

February 12, 2022
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Travel along to inspiring destinations
Welcome to our travel blog! Katja & Walter are passionate about one-of-a-kind travel experiences.



We aim at inspiring you to travel, too, and see your own world with new eyes. Check out more about us here!

Travel blog on one-of-a-kind travel experiences.

About us
About us

Katja and Walter are passionate travel bloggers that care about design and boutique hotels and the personalised experience they offer. Their travelogues cater to discerning couples interested in a stylish atmosphere and romantic hideaways.

Walter & Katja founded the travel blog back in 2010.

Read more about us here!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube RSS
Our latest travelogues

Istrian Gourmet Experiences: 3 Stellar Restaurants + Our Wishlist for Next Time

What to Do Around Trieste: From Fairy-Tale Castles to Spectacular Caves, and Slovenia’s Capital

What to Do in Trieste: Explore Italy’s Coffee Capital One Cup at a Time

Madeira, the Island of Flowers: 19 Tips for Activities and Attractions.

Hiking in Madeira: discover the breathtaking beauty of the Island of Flowers

Sardinian Shores Unveiled: An Unforgettable Self-Guided Boat Journey Along the Rugged East Coast

Southern Sardinia Uncovered: From Cagliari’s Charms and Chia’s Flamingos to the Beaches of Costa Rei

Sardinia’s Eastern Shores: Discovering Orosei and the Hidden Beaches from Cala Liberotto to Cala Goloritzé

Our travel topics
Alps (54) Animals (15) Architecture (38) Beach (33) Boutique Hotel (73) City Trip (39) Contributions (30) Country House (17) Culture (26) Design (69) Dinner (23) Experience (38) Flight (9) Golf (18) Gourmet (35) Hiking (21) Itinerary (9) Lake (16) Landscape (74) Lodge (24) Luxury (63) Masseria (9) Mr and Mrs Smith (15) Museum (9) Nature (102) Puglia (13) Relais & Châteaux (16) Relax (13) Rental Car (26) Resort (31) Restaurant (42) Road Trip (9) Rural (23) Safari (21) Shopping (9) Singapore (9) Spa-Wellness (47) Summer (8) Swiss Deluxe Hotels (16) Sydney (11) Tour (28) Wilderness Safaris (8) Winter (22) Zermatt (12) Zurich (13)
Join us in inspiring destinations!

Welcome to our travel blog!

Katja & Walter are passionate about one-of-a-kind travel experiences.

We aim at inspiring you to travel, too, and see your own world with new eyes. Check out more about us here!

© travelmemo.com by Walter Schaerer & Katja Birrer
  • Home
  • About us
  • Media kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
© 2010 - 2025 Travelmemo, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Home
  • About us
  • Media kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.