Luang Prabang in Laos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and several temples are found throughout the town.
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
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
Monk relaxing by a tree.
Luang Prabang is also home to over 1,200 monks, and temple life for the monks here live a straightforward and laidback lifestyle.
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.
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.
Monks doing woodwork at one of the temples.
At one of the local temples I visited, monks are trained to do skilled work, and I noticed several of them working in wood carving classes.
Looking closely, these monks were carving the hand of Buddha out of a piece of wood. The workmanship is fantastic.
Looking closely, these monks were carving the hand of Buddha out of a piece of wood. The workmanship is fantastic.
Monks doing wood carvings of Buddha.
At another section of the temple, a monk made a statue of Buddha from wood. Apparently, all these items made by the student monks were then sold off to locals or tourists as the temple had a small shop that sold the works of the monks.
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.
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.
Junior monk doing a Buddha sketch.
Before entering the temple shop that sold the craftwork, I saw a child monk doing a freehand sketch of a Buddha Image.
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.
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.
Monk sweeping the temple grounds.
While walking around Luang Prabang town, you are free to enter the temple grounds, as there are no restrictions.
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.
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.
Monk relaxing at one of the temples.All the novice monks from Luang Prabang go to school at the main temple, Wat Siphoutthabat. Surprisingly enough, in addition to learning Dharma, Pali, and Sanskrit, the monks are also taught math and English.
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 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.
The writer is posing with some monks in Luang Prabang.The weather gets really cool from November to March, and since I visited in February, it has been about 14 degrees Celsius.
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.
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
Generally, any time is a good time to visit this beautiful place, but it is best to do so from October till March when the weather is much cooler.
- October and March - The optimum best time
- May till October - Rainy Season
- March till May - Temperature of 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my article about the Luang Prabang temples and monks. For more information about this unique town, please visit the UNESCO World Heritage Website.
Direct flights are from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore into Luang Prabang, Laos. If you have always wanted to visit a unique destination, this is one of my recommended places.