Wat Si Saket, Vientiane Overview

Wat Si Saket is a Buddhist temple located in the old town of Vientiane in Laos. It is the oldest temple in the city. The temple is known for its unique architecture as it is the only temple from the 18th century to survive the Siam and Chinese invasions. It is recommended to visit Wat Si Saket to witness the rich history which are presented through the collections in a museum located in the temple premises.

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Best time to visit

Tips

It is expected that tourists dress appropriately while visiting a Buddhist temple.
Women need to cover their shoulder at all times and wear knee-length attire.
Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not also allowed for both men and women.
The rules are strictly followed, and you might be denied entry by the guards if you fail to obey them.
You also need to take off your shoes, hat and sunglasses before entering the temple premises.

Wat Si Saket History & Significance

Wat Si Saket was built in 1819 by King Anouvong in the Siamese style of architecture which was prevalent in the Buddhist temples in Laos constructed during this time. The architecture probably saved the complex to what remains today as it survived the attack from the Siamese armies during King Anouvong's reign. The complex consists of a monastery home to some monks, an ancient library and other administrative buildings also built in traditional Siamese style.

Architecture

The most notable feature of Wat Si Saket is the Sim or the ordination hall. The roof is five-tiered and built in Bangkok-style of architecture, which is above a terrace platform supported by columns. The ends of the roof have Naga structures in gold, called as finials. The columns at the centre of the Sim are decorated with murals depicting Buddha's life.

There are at least 7000 images of Buddha in the gallery located inside the complex. It is prohibited to take photos using flashlight within the temple. The tales of Jataka, the lives of people of Laos and beautiful paintings of birds, adorn the galleries.

The Museum

A section of Wat Si Saket houses a museum dedicated to its history. There are unique collections of over 10,000 images of Buddha of various sizes. The gallery also consists of about 1000 statues of Buddha mostly belonging to the temple.

How To Reach Wat Si Saket

Wat Si Saket is located on Lan Xang Road in the city of Vientiane. The best way to reach is by hiring a Tuk-Tuk. It costs about 4 USD for a round trip. You can also rent a motorbike for about 12 to 14 USD per day, or you can get there by bike(bicycle) which cost about 3 to 4 USD for rent per day.