Vat Visounarath
Vat Visounarath
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
176 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
86
Average
45
Poor
3
Terrible
0
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
Jan 2020
This is probably the oldest and still active temple in Luang Prabang! Almost unbelievable! "Wat Visounnarath" was built around 1512 by King Visounnarath, according to the characteristics of the early Lao religious architecture, generally referred to as "Luang Prabang Classic Style". Once, the holy and most venerated "Phra Bang Buddha" image was kept here, but now it can be seen at the nearby "Royal Palace Museum". Visit the temple, its ordination and donations halls, the ancient images and steles, the monks' homes, the drum tower and other structures. Still on its grounds, the beautiful "That Pathoume" (the "Stupa of the Great Lotus"), also known, due to its shape, as "That Mak Mo" (the "Stupa of the Watermelon"). It is a quite impressive stupa and, stylistically, looks more like Srilankalese than Lao. What makes sense, since the dominant Buddhism current in Laos is the "Theravada Buddhism", or the "School of the Elders", which was brought from Sri Lanka to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. The stupa was recently white painted and looks quite attractive. And remember, the "Wat Aham" temple is just a few steps away and you can easily combine both visits. Enjoy!
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonder A
Singapore421 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Built in 1513, Wat Visoun is the oldest temple in the city. It was once the home of Buddhas during the rein of King Wisunarat.
Written April 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ptrav9
629 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Said to be the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, about 500 years old. A working temple, viewed an assembly of monks praying one late evening. Wasn't sure whether outsiders were allowed to watch, so didn't linger long. There are a few other structures including the water melon Stupa in the complex. It's south of Mt Phousi and can be bit of a walk if staying along the Mekong.
Written March 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jobst56
Hamburg, Germany1,670 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
A little bit outside the centre, this temple exhibits a series of very special wooden buddha statues inside. You pay an admission fee.
Good toilets.
Vendors outside.
Good toilets.
Vendors outside.
Written December 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul Mak
London, UK453 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
This temple is definitely worth a visit. It has two notable and amazing facts - which are: it is the oldest temple in Laos and it has the biggest Buddha in South East Asia. We’re in touch with the monks as we can see a bit of what happens in their lives. Visitng the temple is free yet seeing the Buddha. I think it is definitely worth a visit. It was very beautiful.
Written October 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ollie C
London, UK487 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Enjoyable and except from one part, free. Great experience - it is the oldest temple in Luang Prabang and is definitely worth a visit.
Written October 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tessie S
9 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Must see of the oldest temple. Melon shaped stupa is the landmark. The gates of the temple are white.
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ragu88
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia942 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
This beautiful Wat / Vat is the oldest standing temple in Luang Prabang which originally erected in 1512 and very famous for its unique structure, the "watermelon stupa". Very beautiful.
Written June 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeff1955malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia6,084 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
it is a unique temple. it does not have a pagoda shapebut more of a bungalow. it white walls with many pillars. inside the compound it is quiet and peaceful.
Written May 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tango7174
Montreal, Canada79 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
The original wooden building of this temple was burnt down in 1887 by the Black Flag Army, a bandit group, during their ransacking of Luang Prabang. It was reconstructed in bricks a few years later, resulting in what we see today.
The temple interest is not so much in its rather bare architecture as opposed to the other temples found in town, but in what it houses inside. A huge Buddha with a serene face dominates the main sanctuary, surrounded by several smaller ones.
But most interesting is a collection of ancient wooden Buddhas dating back to the 14-18th centuries, displayed around and along the side walls. Some Buddhas are in the “calling for the rain” position, with their arms, hands and fingers pointed downward. Others are in the “cease the fighting” position, with the palm of both hands facing the opponent. They were stored here by Prince Phetsarat after the sack by the Black Flags.
A recommended visit.
The temple interest is not so much in its rather bare architecture as opposed to the other temples found in town, but in what it houses inside. A huge Buddha with a serene face dominates the main sanctuary, surrounded by several smaller ones.
But most interesting is a collection of ancient wooden Buddhas dating back to the 14-18th centuries, displayed around and along the side walls. Some Buddhas are in the “calling for the rain” position, with their arms, hands and fingers pointed downward. Others are in the “cease the fighting” position, with the palm of both hands facing the opponent. They were stored here by Prince Phetsarat after the sack by the Black Flags.
A recommended visit.
Written January 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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