It is the only temple in Vientiane that escaped destruction during the Siamese-Lao war of 1828.
The interior of the sim contains over 6,800 individual Buddha images.
Many of the Buddha statues in the cloisters were damaged by looting over the centuries.
The architecture is heavily influenced by Siamese styles, which saved it from being razed by invading forces.
The temple walls were originally adorned with thousands of small, hand-painted Buddha niches.
It is considered the oldest temple currently standing in its original state within Vientiane city limits.
Wat Sisaket is the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, dating back to 1818. It is renowned for its cloister wall housing over 2,000 miniature Buddha statues made of ceramic, wood, and bronze. The temple survived the Siamese invasion of 1828 because its architecture resembles the Bangkok-style of the era. The main hall, or sim, features original 19th-century murals depicting jataka tales. The structure is built with a five-tiered roof design characteristic of traditional Lao architecture. It remains one of the few buildings in the capital that predates the destruction caused by the 19th-century war. The courtyard features a series of niches carved into the inner wall that protect the smaller Buddha icons.
The interior walkway of the cloister, looking through the rows of thousands of small Buddha statues.
Walk the inner cloister clockwise to view the thousands of small Buddha statues in order.
Maintain a low profile when near the monks or worshippers to show respect.
Ensure your legs and shoulders are covered before entering the temple grounds.
Do not touch the ancient murals or Buddha statues, as the oils from skin cause irreversible damage.
Shoulders and knees must be covered for all genders; remove shoes before entering the main sim; do not point your feet toward Buddha statues.
