Considered the most enchanting wat in a land full of enchanting wats, Wat Xieng Thong, built in 1559, is a peaceful and elegant place balanced at the end of Luang Prabang’s peninsula. Stepping into the complex, the importance of the temple resonates throughout – it was here that the coronations of the Lao kings took place, and around the walls that many wars and raids raged, with the wat luckily escaping harm every time. As you admire the gilding, mosaics and sweeping roofs, take a moment longer to gaze at the magical ‘tree of life’ mosaic on the wall of the main temple building, and the mirrored elephant heads nearby.

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