Luang Prabang Temples and Monks
When you visit Luang Prabang, you will see the local monks all over the town. The region has about 29 temples or Wats, dating back to the 12th century.
Formally called Muang Sawa in the Lane Xang Kingdom, the city’s name was changed to Luang Prabang when they received a Golden Prabang (Buddha) from Sri Lanka.
Luang Prabang Temples and Monks
These monks go about their daily chores, and every morning, there is the morning almsgiving procession on the main streets around 6.00 am.
Here, one can witness the almsgiving, where locals would line parts of the street kneeling to give the monks food. Luang Prabang is also known as a Mecca for Theravada and Hinayana Buddhism.
Looking closely, these monks were carving the hand of Buddha out of a piece of wood. The workmanship is fantastic.
If you explore the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, you will see some similar items being sold here, and you can choose from the many vendors.
Here, the younger monks learned about pencil sketching and freehand painting of various images based on Buddha teachings. The finished sketches and illustrations are available in the temple souvenir shop for US dollars each.
Sometimes, in peaceful late afternoons, you see the monks busy doing chores like sweeping or cleaning the temple grounds, and some of them will even smile at you.
I experienced this with one of the junior monks at one of the temples. He casually approached me and asked me where I was from.
I was totally taken aback by his good command of English. We had a decent conversation while I explained why I was visiting Laos.
I wore two layers of clothes, while the monks wore orange robes. At one of the temples, I encountered a group of teenage monks hanging around a fireplace to warm up.
I approached them and politely asked them if I could take a photo with them. It is best to ask before taking pictures there out of respect and privacy.
List of temples found in Luang Prabang
- Wat Xieng Thong – Contains the cremated remains of King Sisavang Vong
- Wat Wisunarat
- Wat Aham
- Wat Mai
- Wat Sop
- Wat Saen
- Wat Khili
- Wat Paa Khaa
- Wat Paa Huak
- Wat Paa Phai
- Wat Phan Luang
- Wat Tao Hai
- Wat Visoun
- Wat Aphai
- Wat Manorom
- Wat Pakkhan
- Wat Thammo
- Wat Xieng Muan
- Wat Xieng Thong
- Wat Chum Khong
- Wat Pha Baat Tai
- Wat Tham Phu Si
- Wat Pha Mahathat
- Wat Siphoutthabat – School for all monks in Luang Prabang
- Wat Sirimungkhun
- Wat Si Bun Heuang
- Wat Nong Sikhunmeuang
- Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
- Wat Chomsi
Best time to visit Luang Prabang
- October and March – The optimum best time
- May till October – Rainy Season
- March till May – Temperature of 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit
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