Wat Sen

Wat Sen is a Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang whose red walls are decorated with gold stenciled designs showing mythical creatures and deities. Inside, a large standing Buddha figure in shimmering gold sits as the centerpiece of the prayer hall.

Construction began in the early 1700s, when local rulers commissioned the temple as a center for learning and worship. The building has endured through centuries of change while maintaining its religious purpose.

Monks study and meditate here as they have for centuries, making this a living center of Buddhist practice rather than just a historical site. Local people visit regularly to pray and participate in rituals that remain central to community life.

This temple stands in the old town area and welcomes visitors daily without charging entry fees, though donations help support its upkeep. Visitors can walk freely through the grounds, though removing shoes before entering prayer halls is customary.

The gold decorations on the red walls are applied using a traditional stencil method that creates patterns of celestial riders and sacred flowers. This handcrafted technique remains visible in the details and requires considerable skill to maintain.