Wat Xieng Thong temple description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang (Topic)

Wat Xieng Thong temple description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Wat Xieng Thong.

Photo and description

The Wat Xieng Thong temple complex, located on a promontory at the confluence of the Mekong with the Nam Khang River, is considered one of the most beautiful and richly decorated sanctuaries in Laos. This royal temple, erected by the ruler Settatirat in 1559, was spared by the Chinese bandits from the Black Flag group at the end of the 19th century, so it has survived to this day relatively safe and sound. In previous centuries, the main entrance to the temple was located on the side of the river. Along the Mekong, the king arrived at Wat Sieng Thong from his own palace. A long wide staircase from the river leads to the temple.

The most impressive building of the complex, consisting of many different chapels, stupas and utility rooms, is the sim, the main temple, whose walls are decorated with intricate paintings on the outside and inside. made in gold on a black lacquered background. Its multi-level roof drops almost to the ground. One of the Sim's attractions is the colorful "Tree of Life" mosaic made on a red background in the 1960s.

Next to the sim is the Standing Buddha Chapel. The pediment of this building is decorated with colorful mosaics. Through carved gilded doors you can enter a small room with a large bronze Buddha at the back wall.

Behind the chapel is the Red Chapel, inside which you can see a sculpture depicting a reclining Buddha. It is believed to have been created in 1569 by order of King Settatirat.

The Royal Burial Pavilion is a more modern building. It was erected in 1962. The funeral carriage of King Sisawang Wong is kept here, who died in 1959. The hall, built in a classical style, has a two-tiered roof decorated with sculptural images of naga heads. The carved, gilded teak panels on the facade feature floral motifs and scenes from the Laotian interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Inside, along the walls, there are Buddha statues dating from the early 19th century. Here you can also see the skillfully made funerary urns, which contain the ashes of King Sisawang Wong, his father and mother.

Behind the sim is Ho Trai - a library where scrolls with Buddhist texts are kept. On the territory of the temple complex there is also the Drum Tower, which resembles an open gazebo with a large drum under its roof. Its sound notifies the monks that it is time for prayer.

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Topic: Wat Xieng Thong temple description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang.