Your base for this tourist attraction is the Unesco World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos. For tourist information about Luang Prabang, go to Luang Prabang Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Laos, read also the Laos Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
Wat Aphai Travel Information
Wat Aphai is a small monastery near the banks of the Nam Khan river. It was built by a merchant of pickled fish, pla-dak, during the reign of King Photthisarat (1520-48). For that reason, its original name was Wat Hai Pai Pla Dak. The name was changed to Wat Aphai during restoration in 1923. On the gable facing west is the carving of Erawan, the triple-headed elephant, the vehicle of the deity Indra. Around the sim is a cloister with murals depicting stories from the Buddha Maitreya.
If you're going to Luang Prabang, you'd be glad to know that the town is quite small. You can go to most places on foot if you want to. Otherwise, you can also catch a tuk tuk to take you around. As for accommodation, they range from very simple, basic beds to boutique hotels. You can visit the Luang Prabang Hotels guide for a list of budget accommodation.
Closer view of the stupa and sim.
Racing boat in the boathouse.
5 Days 4 Nights Romantic Luang Prabang Tour
Explore Luang Prabang, Pak Ou, Kuang Si Waterfalls on this 5 day 4 nights tour, provided by Exotissimo Travel in conjunction with AsiaExplorers. Details here. (This tour is conducted only until September 2012).
