Wat Xieng Thong , Temple of the Golden City is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Luang Phrabang, Laos.
It was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath. It was under royal patronage during the Kingdom of Laos. There are many legends about the place where the Nam Khan enters the Mekong.
It is believed to be the site where the two hermits, who founded Luang Prabang, placed the boundary stone for the new settlement. Another story tells about a betel merchant with the name of Chanthapanit who built a palace on this site, making himself the first king of the new capital. It has been said that he was the first founder of Wat Xieng Thong.
The union of the Nam Khan with the Mekong is also said to be the home of two nagas (water spirits in the form of large snakes), the guardians of the river. A shrine to the nagas existed at the site until recently.Wat Xieng Thong was the only monastery in Luang Prabang to escape the 1887 fire at the time of the sacking of Luang Prabang. It has been restored twice - in 1928 and then again between 1952 and 1960 by King Sisavangvong (1904-1959).
Address : Ban Xieng Thong, Muang Luang Prabang, Khoueng Luang Prabang, LaosOpening Hour : 8am-5pm daily
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