Temple Murals at Vat Pa Huak

On the slops of a hill just across from the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, sits Vat Pa Huak, a tiny and unassuming wooden temple.

Vat Pa Huak

The temple, whose name means "Monastery of the Bamboo Forest", dates back to 1861. The temple, built in the traditional Lao style, doesn't look like much from the outside. It's small and relatively plain, supported by simple wooden pillars.

the front of the old temple

But it's not the outside that makes Vat Pa Huak so significant in Luang Prabang, but what's on the inside. The interior of the temple is painted with amazing 19th century murals.

murals on the temple walls

These richly colored murals are in remarkable condition, considering the long history they've gone through in Luang Prabang. The murals recently underwent a lengthy restoration, funded in part by support from neighboring Thailand.

The murals depict intricate scenes from the life of the Buddha, the Ramayana, and the history of Lunag Prabang.

depictions of royal epics

There is a lot of history and culture crammed onto just four small walls. One wall depicts the history of the city, showing Chinese, Persian, and European visitors being welcomed to the royal court in Luang Prabang.

depictions of meetings with the Chinese

For a time, the temple served as a library for the Laotian Ministry of Culture, but today, it's an exhibition hall for the exquisite murals. The front doors to the temple are generally locked up, but if you get lucky, you can visit for free to look inside.

inside the small temple

Sale of souvenirs (by the honor system) go directly to support the upkeep and preservation of the historic murals.

souvenirs for sale