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A New Home for Phra Bang

Royal Palace Museum, Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum Naga

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Laos // Buddhist Art & Architecture· Pagodas Temples Wats & Stupas· Southeast Asia· UNESCO World Heritage Sites Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

From its fearsome gold naga King Cobras guarding the main stairs, its incredibly lavish gold and red interior, and multi-tiered roof, the Haw Pha Bang at Luang Prabang’s Royal Palace looks ancient and definitely royal.

It was indeed royal. It’s purpose-built to be the official home of the Phra Bang, the diminutive yet sacred gold alloy Buddha statue shrouded in legend, reverence, and rumor that serves as the palladium of the Kingdom of Laos. It also gives Luang Prabang, the royal capital, its name, with a quirk of transliteration moving from Phra Bang to Prabang.

The statue is old–although probably not nearly as old as local lore says–but its home, the lavish Haw Phra Bang on the southeastern corner of the Royal Palace compound in Luang Prabang, is new. And, it has mostly been built under Lao Communist rule. In fact, the building still isn’t quite finished, and the Phra Bang has not yet been installed on his permanent pedestal.

Stay tuned, though–it should happen in the Southeast Asian understanding of “very soon.” Even then, though, suspicions that the real statue is in fact in a vault either in Vientiane or even in Moscow will continue to dog the Phra Bang in its new home.

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum Ornate Interior

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum with Purple Flowers

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum Naga Profile

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Royal Palace Luang Prabang Laos Building

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum Stairs

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum Gold Pedestal

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Luang Prabang Haw Pha Bang Royal Palace Museum Golden Naga

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Royal Palace Luang Prabang Laos

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

What to Know Before You Go

The Haw Pha Bang is part of the Royal Palace complex.

Where to Next?

  • luang prabang 03 copyright havecamerawilltravel com - Luang Prabang's Morning Market
    Luang Prabang's Morning Market
  • 10 copyright havecamerawilltravel com 1 - Luang's Prabang's That Chomsi
    Luang's Prabang's That Chomsi
  • The River Outpost of Nong Khiaw
    The River Outpost of Nong Khiaw
  • Photo of Boys on a bike with sunset on the Mekong in Vientiane Laos (Viang Chan)
    Vientiane, City on the Mekong
  • Wat Si Saket Vientiane Laos 2000 Buddhas 337-0125286641x
    Wat Si Saket, Vientiane
  • Standing Stones of Hintang near Sam Neua Laos
    The Standing Stones of Hintang
  • Phonsavan Morning Market Cooked Food
    Phonsavan's Morning Market


Travel Advice for Laos

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Laos (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Laos here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Laos here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Luang Prabang
Country: Laos
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 19.891697
      Longitude: 102.136431

      # Buddhist Art & Architecture
      # Pagodas Temples Wats & Stupas
      # Southeast Asia
      # UNESCO World Heritage Sites



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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