Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, formerly known as Wat Mai or Wat May, is located in Luang Prabang, a northern province of Laos. It is one of Luang Prabang’s most beautiful and most decorated ancient sites.
(Source: the internet)
Both inside and outside architecture is decorated extensively with black lacquer, red and yellow leaves. The location of the ancient throne of Wat Mai is in front of the night market and next to the Royal Palace, one of the most famous Buddhist sites visited by tourists in this ancient royal town.
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham temple was built in the 18th century, and was expanded in the 19th century by King Anourout. Its revival during the reign of King Manthatourat (1817-1836), with the name is “New Monastery”.
By the end of the 19th century, Luang Prabang turned ash into the bloody invasion of the Black Flame from China to loot, during the war between the Luang Prabang kingdom and the Black Army. In 1887, the ancient monument of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham was fortunate to escape, retaining its original architecture. That is why this temple became sacred to the ancient people.
The unique feature of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham is its five-storey architecture with splendor overlaid red-tiled roof, located right next to the Royal Palace Museum near Pak Kham Market, up to the Mount Phousi – the royal sight of the Mekong River. The red – yellow interior furniture is arranged with a jade Buddha statue.
(Source: the internet)
During the Lao New Year celebration, the image was taken to Wat Mai for a parade. Other works on the ancient temple of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham include a slender tower, two small stone chapels and a library building, which houses Buddhist scriptures. Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham is a place where religious activities are frequent; a house that holds long boats, used in the Luang Prabang local boat race.
– Location: on Sisavangvong road, near the Royal Palace Museum, Luang Prabang.
– Visiting hours: Daily, from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.
– Entry price: 10.000 kip.
Explore more article: Luang Prabang Elephant Camp; Huean Chan House; Tad Sae Waterfall; Wat Aham; Luang Prabang night market; Ban Xang Khong weaving village; Wat Visoun; Wat Long Khoun; Wat Xieng Thong; Royal Palace Museum Luang Prabang; Pak Ou cave; Mount Phousi; Kuang Si waterfall; Alms giving ceremony
