Laos: Charming Wat Choumkhong and the Artists of Wat Xieng Muan
An Artist Monk in Xien Muan
Staying in a lodging in Th Sisavangvong Vatthana street, which is an inner street from the Main Street of Th Sisavangvong, I am close to a lot of temples within town. Take note that there are numerous temples in Luang Prabang, some of them have entrance fees and others are free so it’s wise to choose the important ones first. I first visited a couple of temples just a short walk from the lodging. The first one is a charming little temple and the other one is a school for artist monks.
The small and charming Wat Choumkhong
Wat Choumkhong is just along the street where I lodge in. It’s a charming small temple within a beautiful garden. People there said I should see the place during November and December when the poinsettia trees are in full bloom. I pass by this temple often just to get to the other street across.
The old Wat Xieng Muan
Just on the other side of the fence is one of the older and more significant temples in Luang Prabang, the Wat Xieng Muan. Believed to be built around 1879, the monastery attached to it is believed to be much older. Now with backing from UNESCO and New Zealand Government, the Monks Quarters and classrooms were restored and turned into a school of arts and crafts.
Artist Monk wood craft details
The monks here are trained in woodcarving, painting and Buddha-casting. These are the necessary skills for the monks to have in preserving and restoring the temples and artifacts in Luang Prabang. I thought the UNESCO had a great idea here since the people themselves are responsible on preserving their heritage. Not only that, some of their artworks are the source of their livelihood. I caught a few monks there working and they welcome visitors to watch them work. After a short while spending here, I walked back to my lodging to rest and catch a bit of sleep from that long bus ride. Later I would be climbing the Phu Si Hills.
Tags: Laos, Luang Prabang, Monks, Northern Laos, UNESCO
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Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at 12:11 am 
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May 30th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I have always wanted to watch a woodcarver at work, it must be so fascinating what mere hands could accomplish.
The temples are worth preserving, I’m glad with added tourism in the country, I’m sure they would make the necessary steps in seeing that the temples remain in tip top shape.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:10 am
you made a good point there amigo. there’s nothing better than making the people responsible for the preservation of their environs and their heritage. in any case, it’s fascinating to witness craftsmen going about their everyday work. i mean we may have carvers here but there are differences in the style, approach, nuances, recurring themes and the likes.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
wood carving is one those fascinating arts. it must be awesome to see these monks creating masterpieces.
May 31st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Hi Photo Cache! I myself am amazed of the details the put in their work. Tourism sure did well to help the locals here.
UNESCO did a good thing here Og. They made the people here realize that Tourism would help their livelihood so they must preserve them as well.
Still amazes me how they create those masterpieces Bing