Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan
ວັດອົງຕື້ມະຫາວິຫານ
An important temple in the heart of the old town, home to the roughly 6-metre-tall 16th-century bronze Buddha “Ong Teu” and a Buddhist monastic school.
Wat Ong Teu was founded in the 16th century during the reign of King Setthathirath and is one of Vientiane's most important temples. Its name comes from the great bronze Buddha “Ong Teu” enshrined in the main hall, which means “Buddha weighing a ton.” The statue is about 5.8 metres tall and is one of the largest bronze Buddhas in Laos. The temple houses a Buddhist school, where you will often see young monks in saffron robes. The carved wooden doors and windows of the main hall and its gilded decorations are exquisite. The temple is on Setthathirath Road, a short distance from Wat Inpeng and Wat Mixai, and the three can be visited on foot in a row. Admission is free. Dress appropriately.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Wat Inpeng
- Mekong Riverside Night Market & Chao Anouvong Park
- Nam Phou Fountain
- Presidential Palace (Haw Kham)
- That Dam
- Wat Si Saket
- Haw Phra Kaew
- Talat Sao (Morning Market)