Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
ວັດໃໝ່ສຸວັນນະພູມາຮາມ
A golden temple on the main street with a five-tiered roof. Its front wall is covered with gold reliefs telling Buddhist birth stories, and it sits on the route of the early-morning alms procession.
Wat Mai, full name Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, was built in the late 18th century. It was once the residence of the Supreme Patriarch of Luang Prabang, and it stands on the main street, just west of the Royal Palace Museum. The highlights include the gold reliefs covering an entire wall of the front gallery of the main hall, depicting the Buddha's past life as Prince Vessantara and scenes of Lao village life. Other highlights are the five tiers of red roofs stepping down, and the gilded Buddha and golden lacquer patterns on the pillars inside. During Lao New Year in April, the Phra Bang Buddha image is moved from the Royal Palace to the front of Wat Mai for three days of public ceremonial bathing, the grandest ritual in Luang Prabang. Admission is 10,000 kip (about 3.5 yuan), and the temple is open 8:00 to 17:00. The early-morning alms-giving procession (Tak Bat) comes along the main street from the direction of Wat Xieng Thong between 5:30 and 6:30, and the front of Wat Mai is one of the viewing spots. For a quieter place with fewer tourists, try the lanes along Sakkaline Road on the inner side of the peninsula and along the banks of the Nam Khan. A visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. It fits neatly into a walk along the main street, together with the Royal Palace Museum, Mount Phou Si and the night market.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Wat Pa Huak
- Luang Prabang Morning Market
- Mount Phousi
- Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
- Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham)
- Heuan Chan Heritage House
- Luang Prabang Night Market
- Wat Siphoutthabath