Xayaboury is home to beautiful cultural icons

Laos has some of the best tourist attractions in the world and it’s time for people to explore them, especially now that the Covid pandemic is on the wane and travel is safer. The purpose of this article is to promote tourism in Laos, including through the Lao Thiew Laos campaign.

Xayaboury province is an exotic part of Laos that is home to beautiful historic locales of immense cultural value.
When tourists come to the province, they should not miss the opportunity to witness the grandeur of local cultural icons.

A large Buddha statue on top of the Thork mountains in Xayaboury province. (File photo Vientiane Times)

The three main cultural attractions of the capital of the province are Sibounheuang, Sisavangvong and Phou Thork temples, which are reminiscent of a golden past. All of them are centres of faith and popular destinations for tourists.
Sibounheuang temple is believed to be the oldest temple in the town. Its ordination hall, which is in a dilapidated condition, is steeped in history and speaks of a bygone era, the architecture of the times, and the people’s culture.
The temple is an example of a unique style of architecture, and the motifs are breathtaking. It is situated along the Houng riverside, in Yai village, not far from the town.
It was built in 1456, with the original ordination hall made of wood. A fire damaged the hall and ruined the shrine – destroying the precious palm leaf inscriptions which were an important legacy of Laos.
One of the last fires was documented in 1889, resulting in the restoration of the temple. In 2010, a large statue of the Buddha in a sleeping posture, with a length of six metres, was installed here.
This temple is also home to a special Buddha statue named Patchanchay, which is believed to be more than 600 years old.
People entering this temple pray to Lord Buddha and seek his blessings. Often they undertake a long journey just to pray here.
Sisavangvong temple is the largest temple and an important cultural site of Xayboury district. This is an old temple, and a centre of education for monks and novices of the province.
The offices of the provincial and district administration board of the monks are situated here. The Upper Secondary school for monks is situated in this temple as well.
Sisavangvong temple is located in Simeuang village, at the centre of Xayaboury town.
It was founded in 1920 and named after the king who ordered the foundation of the temple. It’s one of many temples that were ordered to be built by King Sisavangvong during his reign.
It is also one of the two temples in Xayaboury province that have the same name. The other Sisavangvong temple is in Sisavang village of Paklai district, and it too was ordered to be built by the same king. Both temples were funded by the king.
The temple was originally built along the Houng riverside, but the area got flooded often and witnessed landslides. Due to safety reasons, it was shifted from the riverside to its present location in 1942.
The new temple was constructed in the original style and the construction was again done under the supervision of King Sisavangvong.
In 1943, the ordination hall was built for housing Buddha statues. The ordination hall was known to the local people as Sim. It’s main hall is nine metres wide, 18 metres long and 15 metres high.
The temple is an exquisite example of fusion architecture – an amalgamation of ancient and modern styles.
Phou Thork temple is a new shrine and a cultural tourist attraction of Xayaboury town. It is located on the top of Thork mountains, about 330 m above sea level, in Thana village, not very far from the town centre.
The temple was established in 2013 and has become a popular spot for a splendid view of the surrounding area. Often tourists stop here to take selfies with the mountains forming a perfect backdrop.
Visitors can cover the route to the temple by car, or climb 100 steps. There is a mammoth 19.99-metre Buddha statue in a blessing posture there. This temple is a popular spot for people to pray.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 27, 2022)