Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
ວັດໃໝ່ສຸວັນນະພູມາຣາມ
A royal temple beside the palace, known for its five-tiered roof and gilded relief façade.
🌿 Low-impact tip: this is an easy walk or bike ride from the old town.
Active place of worship: cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering buildings, speak softly, and never point your feet at Buddha images or monks.
Etiquette →🌿 Quieter before 7:00
Story
Construction of Wat Mai began in the late 18th century and took several decades to complete. The front veranda is covered with gilded relief panels showing scenes from the Vessantara Jataka, one of the Buddha's previous lives, alongside village life. From the late 19th century the Phra Bang image was kept here for several decades, and the temple was for many years the residence of the head of the Lao Buddhist sangha. During Lao New Year (Pi Mai) the Phra Bang is brought here for the traditional bathing ceremony.
In the UNESCO heritage zone — The old-town peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1995). Building height, materials and signage are regulated to protect its character.
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