LoasWat Long Khun temple and Sakkalin cave
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Wat Long Khun Temple - a little remarkable-looking ancient temple and monastery in the vicinity of Luang Prabang. Located on the other side of the river in ban Xieng Maen village and is commonly visited along with other temples in this village. However, this place is special. The fact is that Wat Long Khun is associated with the royal family: the Kings of Luang Prabang spent their monasticism here before ascending the throne. At the same time, oddly enough, the temple is completely simple and it cannot be called Beautiful at all. Interest, perhaps, will cause only ancient stupas and frescoes, which have long been waiting for restoration.
Wat Long Khun Temple
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Wat Long Khun Temple
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Wat Long Khun Temple
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Wat Long Khun Temple
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Wat Long Khun Temple
Also associated with the temple is another attraction – the cave of the temple Wat Tham Sakkalin, or simply Sakkalin Cave. Wat Tham Sakkalin is a short walk from Wat Long Khun, but the keys to the lattice covering the cave entrance are kept here. They can be asked from the ticket seller and go to the cave on their own, although sometimes the keys are not given in their hands, but sent as accompanying children who will take you to the entrance to the cave and turn on the lighting there, for which they will expect a tip (5-10 thousand KIP will be enough). The cave does not represent anything special at first glance: it has uncomplicated stalactites and stalagmites, Buddha statues are stored, bats live. But there is one incomprehensible feature: unlike other caves, where it is usually cool, this one is very hot.
Wat Tham Sakkalin temple cave
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Wat Tham Sakkalin temple cave
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Wat Tham Sakkalin temple cave
🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 10,000 Kip (0.45 USD, see Lao currency and exchange rate).
🚶 How to get there: the temple is located in the village of Ban Xieng Maen on the opposite side of the Mekong River (Wat Long Khun temple on the map). Sakkalin cave is a short walk from it (cave on the map). To get here, you need to take a car ferry or passenger motor boat, which depart from the marinas opposite the Royal Palace for 5000 Kip approximately every 10-15 minutes by occupancy. Further from the pier on the other side you need to walk to the temple a little more than one kilometer on the signs. Your path will pass by another Wat Chomphet temple.