Wat Si Muang
ວັດສີເມືອງ
A temple enshrining Vientiane's city pillar and the most popular place of worship in the city. Locals come here to pray for blessings and have white threads tied on their wrists.
Wat Si Muang was founded in 1563, when King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane. Its main hall enshrines the “city pillar” (Lak Muang), a symbol of the city's guardian spirit. Legend links the pillar to a pregnant woman named Sao Muang, who voluntarily jumped into the pillar pit to sacrifice herself, and the temple's name derives from her story. The current buildings were rebuilt after 1915. Incense burns heavily inside the hall. Worshippers often raise small Buddha images over their heads while making wishes, and monks tie white threads on them for blessings. Behind the temple stands a damaged ancient Buddha statue. Admission is free. Shoes must be removed before entering the hall, and visitors should wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. The temple is at a three-way junction in the southeast of the city centre.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- COPE Visitor Centre
- Haw Phra Kaew
- Talat Sao (Morning Market)
- Wat Si Saket
- Presidential Palace (Haw Kham)
- That Dam
- Nam Phou Fountain
- Patuxai