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Twinkle, Twinkle Wat Xieng Thong – Luang Prabang, Laos

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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In the late afternoon sunlight, the small shrine’s mosaic-adorned walls shimmered like precious gems. As I shifted my footing and perspective — moving only mere inches at a time — different vignettes were illuminated by the vibrant rays.

This Buddhist shrine, on which the cut glass portrays Buddhist imagery, is one of twenty structures in the Wat Xieng Thong monastery compound in charming Luang Prabang. The temple is not far from the Mekong River.

Wat Xieng Thong was built in 1560 by Laos’ King Setthathirath; it is one of Laos’ most important monasteries.

Where in the World?

Planning Pointers:

  • The Wat Xieng Thong complex is still used by monks, and so visitors are expected to dress appropriately (no short clothing, and no bare shoulders). The entrance fee is 20,000 kip (about $2.30).

Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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7 responses to “Twinkle, Twinkle Wat Xieng Thong – Luang Prabang, Laos”

  1. marinachetner Avatar
    marinachetner

    wow Tricia – these are beautiful images. You’re right, each reveals a different vignette. I am a big fan of mosaics and these are so shimmery. So beautiful. I adore this post :)

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      I also love mosaics and would love to try my hand at them! I’ve been exposed to so many wonderful crafts and culinary dishes on this trip — makes me want to attempt making them when we return home. Thanks Marina, as always, for your enthusiastic feedback :)

      Reply
  2. Wanderlustress Avatar
    Wanderlustress

    Wow! I have never seen picture of this before. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Another place for you and your family to visit! By chance, we timed our visit perfectly – a must-see during the golden hour :)

      Reply
  3. travelerlynne Avatar
    travelerlynne

    I’m several months late in visiting this post but wow. Beautiful temple. I missed so much while in Luang Prabang. I need to go back.

    Reply
  4. travelerlynne Avatar
    travelerlynne

    Ron and I just didn’t have enough time in Luang Prabang to do it justice. We missed this temple. How beautiful. Such creativity and talented artisans. This is what is so wonderful about travel writing, Tricia. Am pleased you posted this.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Hi Lynne, glad you could travel to Wat Xieng Thong vicariously through this post and hope you’ll make there in person sometime soon! :)

      We only spent a short early evening exploring Wat Xieng Thong but I loved it — from this amazing mosaic work to the room where they stored religious relics, it was a beautiful golden hour visit:

      https://triciaannemitchell.com/2012/04/18/waiting-in-the-wings-during-the-golden-hour/

      Reply