Wat Sisaket: Vientiane's Oldest Temple

Wat Sisaket, constructed between 1818 and 1824 under King Anouvong, is Vientiane's oldest temple that remains in its original form. Its Siamese architectural style, featuring a five-tiered roof and terrace, sets it apart from typical Lao temples and may have saved it from destruction during the Siamese invasion in 1828.The temple's defining feature is its cloister walls, which house thousands of Buddha images in small niches. These statues, made of various materials like wood, stone, and bronze, date back to the 16th-19th centuries. Inside the ordination hall (sim), you'll find murals depicting scenes from the Jataka tales, stories of the Buddha's past lives. One notable mural illustrates the tale of Prince Pookkharabat.West of the ordination hall is the former library, which once held Buddhist manuscripts. The temple grounds also contain stupas holding the ashes of cremated devotees. Wat Sisaket serves as both a museum and a working monastery, offering visitors a unique insight into Lao religious life. The temple provides a tranquil escape from the city, with gardens filled with frangipani trees.