The bulk of this large photo journal (sorry) contains photos from 8 temple/monasteries we visited in Luang Prabang, just a fraction of the 30 some temples/monasteries that are currently in the city. [You think that’s a lot? Heck, the French counted more than 50 monasteries in Luang Prabang near the end of the 19th century, & because the town was an early mecca for Theravada Buddhism, there were actually 80 monasteries in the town even before that.] Also included are other ‘city’ photos such as the Royal Palace
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Map of Luang Prabang
As you can see, Luang Prabang is situated on a peninsula formed by the Mekong...
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WAT VISOUN & THAT MAKMO - the gate
This the very old temple (also called Wat Wisunalat) is located on the south...
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The Sim, from a distance
Wat Visoun, which was originally erected by King Visoun in 1503 &...
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Closeup of dragon corner ornaments
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'Dok so fa" , the spired roof ornament
which is common in Laos. These bronze roof ornaments, with several spires,...
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Carved door
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Carved shutter
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Many old standing Buddha statues
Inside the large sim is an alter with a large seated Buddha image...
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Stele with wonderful bas relief carving
That's Hanuman, the popular Hindu monkey god.
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Gongs
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That Makmo (watermelon stupa)
This large squat stupa is the temple's most notable feature. It’s...
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The ancient gate leads to WAT AHAM
which is adjacent to War Visoun.
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The present sim (main hall),
which was constructed in 1818, is not typical of most Lao sims. This...
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The unique ‘dok so fa’ (roof ornament)
depicts what appears to be the intertwining tails of two nagas, as opposed to...
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Ancient stupas
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WAT XIENG THONG
(Monastery of the Golden City) is regarded as the most beautiful &...
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The sim (main hall)
is one of the most ornate in Laos. The front façade & the interior...
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The striking mosaic on the backside
of the sim depicts the Tree of Life.
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The huge golden Buddha image
at the rear of the sim.
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This chapel houses the funerary chariot
of King Sisavong Vang. The façade of the chapel, which was built...
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The nagas on the front
of the chariot. On the massive chariot, which occupies almost the entire...
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The ornate Red Chapel on the right
features exterior murals with rural scenes. This small chapel, which had been...
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A small pavilion on the left
houses a Buddha figure.
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Mural closeup
Some great photos of this temple here:...
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Herself
the pooped but happy 'Temple Tart' ;o)
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Asia
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