Haw Pha Bang, Luang Prabang

Haw Pha Bang, within the ground of the Royal Palace Museum of Luang Prabang.

Haw Pha Bang, within the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum of Luang Prabang is one of the latest tourist attractions in the Unesco World Heritage town. Haw Pha Bang is the Royal Palace Chapel, and befitting its name, is a grand building, one of the most prominent in Luang Prabang. The Haw Pha Bang was first constructed as early as 1963, but due to numerous upheavals, was only completed in 2006. When I visited Luang Prabang in December 2005, workmen were still putting finishing touches to the Haw Pha Bang.

The Haw Pha Bang is constructed for the purpose of housing the Pha Bang Buddha Image, the most sacred image in Luang Prabang, and the one that gave its name to the town. When the Pathet Lao, or Communist Party of Laos, came to power in 1975, it led to the suppression of organised religion. Buddhism suffered during the early years of Lao communism. Over the years, however, the government gradually loosened its hostility towards religion, and even began embracing it once more, especially in the recent years.

The Unesco World Heritage recognition of Luang Prabang gave added impetus to the town to polish its heritage, and to do it in a sustainable, heritage-friendly manner. This lead to restoration of many Laotian temples and the support to cottage industries. After many years of abandonment, the construction (or could I call it restoration?) of Haw Pha Bang resumed in 1993. Inside this very ornate hall is an exquisite pavillion to house the Pha Bang Buddha Image.

The exquisite pavillion within the Haw Pha Bang Chapel that is to house the Pha Bang Buddha Image.

Night view of the Haw Pha Bang Chapel, as the Night Bazaar is in full swing outside it.

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

 Share your travels and/or ask a travel-related question

Join the Penang Travel Tips Facebook Group to share photos, tips and anything related to your travels, or ask travel-related questions.

Map of Roads in Penang

Looking for information on Penang? Use this Map of Roads in Penang to zoom in on information about Penang, brought to you road by road.

Discover with Timothy

Let me take you to explore and discover Penang through my series of walking tours on YouTube. You may use these videos as your virtual tour guide. At the beginning of each video, I provide the starting point coordinates which you may key into your GPS, Google Maps or Waze, to be navigated to where I start the walk, and use the video as your virtual tour guide.

Disclaimer

Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

Songs about Penang

About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.