Across from the Royal Palace Museum in Luang Prabang Laos, lies Wat Pahouak a small and neglected Luang Prabang Wat.
Wat Pahouak is one of this town’s oldest Wats.
The historic quarter of Luang Prabang straddles the high peninsula between the Mekong River and the Nam Khan and has been totally protected by a Unesco World Heritage Listing since 1995.
Although the Wats in this peaceful town some 300 km north of Vientiane are being restored, it is a slow process and Luang Prabang Wat decays while waiting patiently.
When we visited in April 2010 the Wat was deserted even though it was positioned in a busy spot, across the road from the Royal Palace Museum, and at the base of the northern ascent of MT. PHOUSI.
The place was deserted but a slender carved door was propped open – perfect for a private viewing of the murals that were in surprisingly good condition. Some were very faded from heat, humidity and dust, but others still had good colour. The three gilded buddhas were the originals and the scenes on the walls depicted life along the Mekong.
I hope that one day soon it will be Wat Pahouak’s turn to be restored. Until then check to see if it is open when you walk by, and pop in to have a look.
Notes:
I have chosen to use the spelling as per the sign at the entrance. In other places it is spelt Wat Pahuak. Sometimes there may be a custodian sitting at the door charging a small entrance fee.
Being time poor we had flown direct from Bangkok, but a popular way to reach Luang Prabang Laos is by slow boat, two nine-hour days away from Huay Xai on the Cambodian border.
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I love the colors on the wall behind the Buddhas and the intricate details on the outside of the wat! I hope to make it to Laos someday.
Luang Prabang is well worth the trip Dana.
I love older slightly more run down places like this, its so much more authentic and unique to me for some reason.
I agree Noel. If when Wat Pahouak gets it’s turn at restoration, I hope they just somehow preserve it so it’s condition does not worsen.
Hi Jan, Wat Pahouak looks very exquisite. Its details look very intriicate. I hope they act fast to restore and not let in completely decay. It will be very sad.
I love Buddhas and Asian architecture like these. I don’t know much about Laos but these are beautiful.
I don’t know a lot, except Buddhists are gentle people who do not to kill any living thing – even insects. Reminds me of the old saying – He wouldn’t hurt a fly 🙂
So beautiful…
I always like it when I’m the only person exploring a place. This wat looks beautiful, and I hope they can at least stop the deterioration if not reverse it. How long were you in LP?
Five Days – I could have stayed much longer. I even at the time considered living there!
I’m glad the wats are being restored even if the process is slow. Thanks for showing us this beautiful war.
These are the most wonderful photos – take me back to our travels in Southeast Asia, now, far too many years ago.
South East Asia is a great place to visit, glad I started you thinking about it again 🙂
I cant understand why its empty and left to be?
Such a waste because it sure is a place I so would want to visit 🙂
The history of Wat Pahouak would be vast, sure hope that one day it will be restored to its former glory.
It was lovely to visit it with nobody else around. Wats are such peaceful places. 🙂