Wat Si Saket
Religious Site Old Vientiane temple with cloister and Buddha images
Temple in Vientiane known for its cloister of Buddha images and lacquered murals; visitors photograph rows of Buddhas, study Lao religious art and observe morning alms.
Wat Si Saket is an early 19th-century Buddhist temple in central Vientiane, Laos, founded in 1818. It is notable for its extensive collection of Buddha images and its survival of the 1828 attack that destroyed many other temples.
The temple features a long, pillared cloister lined with rows of small seated and standing Buddha statues numbering in the thousands, as well as an ornate ordination hall. The complex provides close-up views of the statues and traditional Lao temple architecture, including tiled roofs and painted woodwork.
Commissioned by King Anouvong (Chao Anouvong) in 1818, Wat Si Saket was built in the Siamese architectural style and later sheltered its Buddha images during the 1828 Siamese occupation of Vientiane. Its relative survival has made it one of the city’s best-preserved historic temples.
The temple is located in the heart of Vientiane, a short walk from the riverside and the city’s main administrative and market areas, within easy reach of other central landmarks.
- Founding date: Built in 1818 on the orders of King Anouvong (Chao Anouvong).
- Buddha images and survival: The temple contains thousands of Buddha images displayed in its cloister and halls and is one of the few Vientiane temples to survive the 1828 sacking.
How to Get to Wat Si Saket #
Wat Si Saket is in central Vientiane on Lan Xang Road, within easy walking distance of the Mekong riverfront and the Presidential Palace (about a 5-10 minute walk).
From Wattay International Airport take a taxi or tuk‑tuk to the city centre (roughly 10-15 minutes). Many visitors reach the temple on foot from nearby central stops such as the Talat Sao (morning market) area.
Tips for Visiting Wat Si Saket #
- Go first thing in the morning when the temple is cooler and you'll often see local monks and devotees - that's when the cloister and inner galleries feel most peaceful.
- Don't miss the temple's cloister galleries: Wat Si Saket's long enclosed galleries contain thousands of small Buddha images and classic Lao murals that many visitors only glimpse briefly.
- Combine your visit with a short walk to nearby Haw Phra Kaew and the Presidential Palace area - they're very close, so you can see several of Vientiane's main historic sites without extra travel.
Best Time to Visit Wat Si Saket #
The best time to visit Wat Si Saket is during the dry season (November-February) when weather is cooler and drier.
Weather & Climate near Wat Si Saket #
Wat Si Saket's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 16°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1714 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is warm, feeling like 28°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 32°C. Heavy rain (238 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (295 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (309 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (335 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (279 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.
