Wat Aham

• Location: Kingkitsarath Road, Luang Prabang, Laos
• Opening Hours: 08: 00-17: 00 (Monday to Sunday)
• Entrance Ticket: free

Wat Aham is located right next to the Wat Visoun. Wat Aham refers to "The Monastery of the Blossoming Heart". It is the place where the supreme elders of Theravada Buddhism in Laos live, so it is highly respected by the locals. There is a Buddhist academy inside.

What to See in Wat Aham

Although it is small, this monastery has a high status in Laos. The Sangkharat Buddha, which had an extremely lofty status in Laos Buddhist circles, was enshrined in this temple. There are two old and huge linden trees (Banyan trees) in the courtyard, which is the most important spiritual shrine in Luang Prabang. This small temple was once the home of Sankara, the chief monk of Lao Buddhism, until Wat Mai took its place 200 years ago. Despite being rustic, the brightly colored murals depict the history of Buddhism and tales about virtue.

The statue in front of the temple is very impressive with Chinese-style ethnic charm. The stupa in the temple looks a bit old. The roof of the temple is a typical five-story wooden building in Luang Prabang. It is also decorated with beautiful wooden pillars and gorgeous gilt relief walls. The most attractive thing is the golden wood carving murals on the gates and walls of the temple.

How to Get to Wat Aham

Wat Aham is located in Kingkitsarath Road, where is closed to the city center of Luang Prabang. You can get to this temple on foot, by bike or by Tuk Tuk.
 

• If you are staying in central area of old town of Luang Prabang, it only takes 10 minutes to reach it on foot.
   
• If you take Tuk Tuk, it only takes 3 minutes. Tuk Tuk only costs about 5000Kip/person from the city center.