Old Town Temple Walk

A gentle walk through the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage town, from the Royal Palace through the temple quarter to the tip of the peninsula, back along the Mekong and up Mount Phousi for sunset. Start in the early afternoon and dress for temple visits.

1. 1 Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham) Begin at Haw Kham, the former royal palace. Before you go in, look across the lawn to Haw Pha Bang, the ornate shrine built to house the Phra Bang, the image that gave the city its name.
2. 2 Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham Next door, Wat Mai's five-tiered roof is one of the finest in town. Stand back from the veranda to take in the golden relief panels telling the Vessantara Jataka, the story of generosity celebrated at every Lao New Year.
3. 3 Wat Sene (Wat Sensoukharam) Walk north-east along Sisavangvong and Sakkaline Road, the route monks follow at dawn for Tak Bat. Wat Sene's red-and-gold sim was restored in 1957 for the 2,500th anniversary of Buddhism; look out for the long racing boats kept in the grounds.
4. 4 Wat Xieng Thong At the tip of the peninsula stands Wat Xieng Thong, built around 1559–1560. Walk around the sim to find the glass-mosaic 'tree of life' on its back wall, then visit the hall of the royal funeral carriage.
5. 5 Mekong Riverside Promenade Return along the Mekong side of the peninsula. Pause under the trees to watch long-tail boats crossing to Chomphet on the far bank, a rhythm of river life that has shaped this town for centuries.
6. 6 Wat Pa Huak At the foot of Phousi, opposite the palace gate, small Wat Pa Huak hides faded 19th-century murals of foreign envoys arriving by river. Please don't use flash on the fragile paintings.
7. 7 Mount Phousi & That Chomsi Climb the stairway to That Chomsi in time for sunset. From the summit you can see both rivers embracing the old town — find a spot, keep your voice low and enjoy the view.