Photo Gallery

Wat Pha Baht Tai (built 14th century, 1959 onward)

Wat Pha Baht Tai (Pha Phutthabaht, Phutthabat Tai, Tha Pha Hak) is one of the most unique, and perhaps somewhat garish, of Luang Prabang's monasteries, as it combines elements of Thai, Lao and Vietnamese style with even some hint of historic European religious architecture. The wat is on a site overlooking the Mekong River and is to the southwest (downstream) of the historic protected center.

The original wat was possibly constructed here. near the confluence of the Huei Hop and Mekong rivers, during the reign of King Samsenthai (r. 1373-1416). It was on this site that the Naga King Chai Chamnong (one of the Nagas guarding important entrées to the city) lived on a rock., from which he could protect the nearby rivers and surrounding area. When a huge footprint of the Buddha was found on the site it gave evidence to the faithful of the Naga's permission to build a monastery on the area the Naga protected. The monastery still safeguards the footprint of the Buddha. In more modern times a wooden temple was built on the site in the 17th century. The Vietnam and Chinese communities built most of the present structures in the late 1950s. The wat has been more recently restored.

From its platforms overlooking the Mekong there are nice views of river activity and of the sunset.

Text by Robert D. Fiala, Concordia University, Nebraska, USA