Description of the attraction
The temple complex Wat Xieng Thong, 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 unharmed. 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 ancillary rooms, is the sim, the main temple, whose walls are decorated inside and out with intricate murals 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 get into a small room, at the back wall of which there is a large bronze image of Buddha.
Behind the chapel is the Red Chapel, inside of which you can see a sculpture depicting the reclining Buddha. It is believed to have been created in 1569 by order of King Settatirat.
The Royal Burial Pavilion is a more modern structure. It was erected in 1962. The funeral carriage of King Sisawang Wong, who died in 1959, is kept here. The hall, built in classical style, has a two-tiered roof decorated with sculptural images of naga heads. The carved, gilded teak panels on the façade display floral motifs and scenes from the Laotian interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Inside, along the walls, there are statues of Buddhas 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, under the roof of which there is a large drum. Its sound notifies the monks that it is time for prayer.
