| ||||||
      Tweet   | ||
Wat Phra Phome Phao.
Wat Phra Phome Phao Santi Chedi, variously written as Vat Pa Phol Phao, Vat Pa Phonphao and Phra That Khong Santi Chedi, is a bell-shaped stupa that is highly visible from Mount Phousi, as we looked in the direction of the eastern bank of the Nam Khan River, away from the main portion of Luang Prabang.
The sim of Wat Phra Phome Phao.
I got out of Luang Prabang to look for this chedi, and eventually found it at the top of a hillock. From the ground level the spire was unfortunately not that visible, hidden away by its two-storey podium. The hexavonal podium has lovely ornamentally carved doors. Inside the podium are painted frescoes depicting the Buddhist heavens and hells.
Wat Phra Phome Phao Santi Chedi was built in 1959, but the project was only completed in 1988. Construction was partly funded by donations from Laotian people living abroad. The stupa is said to model after the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
One of the doors of Wat Phra Phome Phao.
How to go to Wat Phra Phome Phao
Wat Phra Phome Phao is located on the eastern bank of the Nam Khan River, after the Sisavangvong Bridge, on the outskirts of Luang Prabang. It is not too difficult to find, as long as you get a knowledgeable tuk tuk to take you there. You can also see it from the top of Mount Phousi.
Wat Phra Phome Phao as seen across the Nam Khan river from Mount Phousi.
Return to Luang Prabang Travel Guide
  While traveling independently provides freedom, using a tour operator provides convenience and comfort, not to mention the opportunity to experience things that have been pre-arranged for you. A tour provider that I could recommend is Exotissimo Travel. Finally, you might want to brush up your knowledge by reading about Luang Prabang ahead of your visit. Here are some books to add to your collection. You can get them directly from Amazon.  
 |