Buddhist temple bucket list? – Don’t mind if I do. My first impression of Laos: a country of many contrasts. Laotians are considered one of the shortest nations in the world. However, Laos is famous for having the tallest treehouse. The Southeastern Asian gem is home to some of the most superb beaches worldwide. But there’s more to the hidden Asian beauty than meets the eye. The shimmering coastline can take your breath away and leave you sublimely flabbergasted (happened to me; witness report), along with the country’s out-of-this-world gastronomy, culture, potent history, wildlife, and most importantly, it’s also home to some of the friendliest people you’ll ever cross paths with. Island hopping in Thailand mended my broken heart, but Laos, the unpremeditated marauder, managed to steal it – irretrievably. How? Let’s find out. Come with me and explore the ancient temples and monasteries of Laos. Spiritual bucket list, here we go.
The pride and glory of spiritualism
What? – No. That’s not how you pronounce it. It’s wat. Or vat. The ancient northern capital of the province rests its ever-wondrous cheeks on the very confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. The region has myriad Buddhist monasteries and temples, including Wat Mai (Laotian Buddhism residence) and the gilded Wat Xieng Thong, dating all the way back to the 16th century. Exciting, isn’t it? Literal goosebumps, history lovers. Trust me. Thailand’s motorcycle adventure got me all fired up, but the startling stillness of this long-forgotten Southeastern gem enslaved me in sheer awe. A sight to behold.
So, for further explanation, vat or wat is what you’d call a temple with a curved roof. Luang Prabang temples are a source of all things superior – architecturally and spiritually speaking. The country of Laos takes great pride in having rich, potent history and culture, and the ancient glory’s residue still testifies to this day – it is indisputably immaculate. (shed some tears there)
Wat Xieng Thong
Luang Prabang-based Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries, built somewhere between 1559 and 1560 by the orders of King Setthathirath. To this day, it remains one of the most prominent religious and traditional monuments. Given the war, the temple was severely damaged and had to be remodeled in the 1960s. What personally got to my emotional apparatus (and was hence involuntarily dissected) were the original features, such as the sweeping double-tiered roof and multicolored interior and exterior decorations. Aside from all the gold (status: restored), a thing that caught my eye (and a good portion of the soul) was the “Tree of Life” mosaic, followed by the statue of Buddha – mythical embodiment entourage included. What a view. – highly recommended.
Dress code heads-up: Anyone visiting a Lao temple is required to follow a specific dress code. Women must wear skirts below their knees or pants. In case you forget to bring a suitable clothing item for the occasion, no worries; you can rent a Laotian skirt at the door.
Pha That Luang
The “Great Sacred Stupa” is one of the most sacred of all the ancient temples and monasteries of Laos. In fact, it’s the country’s national symbol. And, without a doubt, there’s some appeal to witnessing its ancient greatness. Is it really a must-see? – I was blown away. Standing 147.6 feet tall, the colossal structure was cleverly designed to unfold gradually, with 3-level unwrapping spiritual guidance. Steep by steep. Gold leaf by gold leaf. The micro presence of opulence breathes ancient grandeur. And it’s tasteful. The monastery was rebuilt as a Khmer temple (only to fall into ruin) but was originally designed to serve Hinduism – dating back to the 3rd century. The Siamese invasion got the best of the relict but was successfully reconstructed during the 1930s.
The temple exudes culture and history, and that’s all I’ve ever craved, really. So it was a 10/10 ecstasy moment for me. Right there and then.
Pro tourist tip: check it out during nighttime. It’s even more breathtaking. The journey could heal your wounds if you’re traveling while in recovery. To ensure a successful trip, be sure to stick to your emergency plan.
Vat Phou
This one’s a gem. The Champasak cultural landscape (UNESCO), including the temple itself, is over a thousand years old. Impressions? Immaculately preserved. The complex was originally designed to portray the Hindu vision of the humanity-nature symbiosis by encapsulating an axis from the river bank all the way to the mountaintop. The 10-kilometer pattern consists of geometrically overlapping waterworks, shrines, and temples, almost organically assembled to perfection. The Phou Kao mountain and the Mekong River are an organic slice of the picturesque cake. In a word – forever in visual awe. I’ve seen the breathtaking temples of Nara, Japan, but this – it’s the emerald green of the color palette.
Vat Si Saket
Now, this one got me hooked. The Vientiane temple boasts over 2000 Buddha statues and is the oldest Buddhist temple. History lovers? Get your handkerchiefs ready. Ready, set, go. Although not ancient, as it was built somewhere between 1819 and 1824 under King Anou’s orders, the monastery plays a significant role in the country’s history. The Siamese spared the temple in 1828 – probably due to its architectural similarities to Thai temples. Additionally, it’s safe to say that the architecture differs from most Lao Vats standards; the Siamese style clearly towers over the discernable Lao symbols, and the evidence lies in the subtleties of the embellished roofs and Buddha statues.
Final words
Trust me when I say: there is no playing favorites when exploring the ancient temples and monasteries of Laos. They hit different (depending on personal preferences). But this much I know to be true: you will be mesmerized wherever you go.
About the author:
Liam Vasquez is a part-time thrill-spirit and a full-time blogger, currently working under the harmonyridgerecovery.com wing and loving it. He enjoys intricate cloud patterns, the color green, and woodwork.
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