Wat Ho Phra Keo

Wat Ho Phra Keo is also called Wat Haw Pha Kaew. Located on the Setthathirath Street in Vientiane City, the temple was built in 1565 under the order of Emperor Saitalati of the Kingdom of Lan Xang. It was mainly to enshrine and worship the Jade Buddha brought from Luang Prabang. The Jade Buddha is a rare treasure, which was stored in the Kingdom of Chiang Mai originally. In 1547, the emperor governed Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai was in wars at that time. To protect the Jade Buddha, the emperor took it to the town of Luang Prabang.

However, in 1778, the Jade Buddha was pillaged to Bangkok by the army of Siam. The Jade Buddha was just stored in the Wat Prakeo for 218 years. And in 1829, the origin Wat Prakeo was burn up by flames of war. In 1936, the Wat Prakeo was rebuilt by the government of Laos, and the original appearance was kept. The project was finished in 1942. In 1987, it was identified as the museum of cultural relics of Laos. And numerous objects were transported from other temples to Wat Prakeo, such as the gold plated throne of the emperor, the statue of Cambodia and wood carvings in different shapes. However, the Jade Buddha has been still kept in Thailand.

The main building of Wat Prakeo has three storeys. Both of the hall and butsudan are large .Both of the sides of the ladder way of the foundation bed of the temple are protected by long dragons. Around the winding corridor, there are high and big columns. The door of the Wat Prakeo is carved with heavy and complicated patterns which are in the style of Rococo. Embossment related to Buddhist stories can also be seen on the walls. Along the winding corridor, there are also numerous stone carvings of the Buddha. All of the above make Wat Prakeo seem like a Buddhism museum.

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