Overview
About this place
Pakse’s principal temple on the bank of the Sedone River, built in 1935 in traditional Lao style and home to a monastic school for novices.
Wat Luang is the best-known and most important temple in central Pakse. It stands on the bank of the Sedone River, a short distance from where the Sedone flows into the Mekong. Built in 1935 and restored many times since, it houses a monastic school, so you will often see monks and novices in saffron robes crossing the courtyard or studying in the shade.
The sim (ordination hall) is a fine example of traditional Lao temple architecture: tiered, steeply sloping roofs with chofa finials, brightly painted stucco work, and intricately carved wooden doors and window shutters. Inside are Buddha images and murals depicting the life of the Buddha. Several thats (stupas) in the grounds hold the ashes of prominent local people and families.
Come in the morning to catch the calm atmosphere and the sound of chanting, or in the late afternoon and then stroll on to the Mekong riverside and the evening food stalls nearby. Around the end of Buddhist Lent (Boun Ok Phansa, usually October) the temple is especially lively, with illuminated boat floats and boat races on the Sedone close by.
Tips: the temple is in the heart of town and easily walkable from the riverside hotels. Entry is free; donations are welcome. Novices sometimes approach visitors to practise their English — a nice chance to chat — but respect their study time and privacy, and ask before taking close-up photos of monks.
Opening hours, fees and fares are sample data — please verify before visiting.
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- #walkable
- #history
Updated Oct 18, 2026
Fair-price directions
How to get there
Standard prices from popular starting points. Agree the price before you get in — if a driver asks for more, show the Driver Card.
| From | Vehicle | Distance | Time | Fair price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊ | Walk | 0.3 km | 5 min | Free An easy walk; avoid the midday heat. Pavements can be narrow or blocked by parked bikes, so watch for motorbikes when crossing. | |
| Riverside tuk-tuk stand (near Wat Luang)Tuk-tuk stand · ບ່ອນຈອດຕຸກຕຸກ ລຽບແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງ | Walk | 0.1 km | 2 min | Free The riverside tuk-tuk stand is right next to the temple — a handy starting point for Wat Phou Salao or Daoheuang Market. | |
| Pakse International Airport (PKZ)Airport · ສະໜາມບິນສາກົນປາກເຊ | Taxiແທັກຊີ | 4 km | 12 min | ₭ 80,000–120,000per vehicle≈ $3.72–$5.58 Taxis and tuk-tuks wait outside the small terminal at Pakse airport; agree a per-vehicle price before getting in, or ask your hotel to arrange a pick-up. | |
| Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8)Bus station · ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) | Tuk-tukຕຸກຕຸກ | 5 km | 15 min | ₭ 40,000–60,000per vehicle≈ $1.86–$2.79 Agree the price before boarding and ask whether it is per vehicle or per person. If you want the driver to wait, agree the waiting time and the return fare up front. |
- Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊWalk0.3 km5 min
Fair range
FreeAn easy walk; avoid the midday heat. Pavements can be narrow or blocked by parked bikes, so watch for motorbikes when crossing.
- Riverside tuk-tuk stand (near Wat Luang)Tuk-tuk stand · ບ່ອນຈອດຕຸກຕຸກ ລຽບແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງWalk0.1 km2 min
Fair range
FreeThe riverside tuk-tuk stand is right next to the temple — a handy starting point for Wat Phou Salao or Daoheuang Market.
- Pakse International Airport (PKZ)Airport · ສະໜາມບິນສາກົນປາກເຊTaxiແທັກຊີ4 km12 min
Fair range
₭ 80,000–120,000per vehicle≈ $3.72–$5.58Taxis and tuk-tuks wait outside the small terminal at Pakse airport; agree a per-vehicle price before getting in, or ask your hotel to arrange a pick-up.
- Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8)Bus station · ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8)Tuk-tukຕຸກຕຸກ5 km15 min
Fair range
₭ 40,000–60,000per vehicle≈ $1.86–$2.79Agree the price before boarding and ask whether it is per vehicle or per person. If you want the driver to wait, agree the waiting time and the return fare up front.
Location
On the map
Sedone riverbank, central Pakse, near the Sedone–Mekong confluence
Close by
Nearby attractions
Pakse Mekong City Hotel (sample)
ໂຮງແຮມ ເມືອງປາກເຊ ແຄມຂອງ (ຕົວຢ່າງ)Travel, Visa & Bus Ticket Desk (sample)
ບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ວີຊາ ແລະ ປີ້ລົດ (ຕົວຢ່າງ)
Traveller reviews
Reviews
4.3
10 reviews
Hannah· DE
5.0Loved it. Transport prices were exactly as listed on PakseHub, no surprises.
Oct 9, 2026
Pim· TH
5.0สถานที่สะอาด เจ้าหน้าที่ใจดี ถ่ายรูปสวยทุกมุม
Sep 29, 2026
黄先生· HK
4.0从巴色包车过来很方便，司机按网站价格收费。
Sep 18, 2026
黄先生· HK
5.0从巴色包车过来很方便，司机按网站价格收费。
Sep 5, 2026
Krit· TH
3.0ดีแต่คนเยอะช่วงวันหยุดยาวของไทย
Aug 31, 2026
陈静· CN
4.0从巴色包车过来很方便，司机按网站价格收费。
Aug 31, 2026
Benz· TH
4.0ราคาค่ารถตรงตามที่ PakseHub บอก ไม่โดนโก่งราคาเลย
Aug 26, 2026
Emma· GB
4.0Beautiful and peaceful. Go early to beat the heat and the tour vans.
Aug 18, 2026
Lars· NL
5.0Well kept, friendly staff and great photo spots.
Aug 5, 2026
Liam· AU
4.0Loved it. Transport prices were exactly as listed on PakseHub, no surprises.
Jul 21, 2026