This post was originally published on Culture Trip. To see the original and see the accompanying images, click here.  

Laos is home to hundreds of temples paying homage to the Buddha and housing monks, novices and nuns. These splendid places of worship are well worth a visit. If you haven’t booked a flight to Laos yet, looking at these 21 beautiful temples just might convince you.

That Luang

 

Buddha Park

 

Wat Si Muang

Wat Si Muang | © damien_farrell/Flickr

Wat Chom Si

Wat Chom Si | © McKay Savage/WikiCommons

Wat Phou

 

Wat Xieng Thong

 

Wat Si Saket

 

Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan

Wat Ong Teu | © Stefan Fussan/WikiCommons

Haw Pha Kaew

 

Haw Phra Kaew | © Dan Searle/WikiCommons

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

Wat Mai | © Phillip Maiwald/WikiCommons

Wat Choum Khong

Wat Choum Khong | © Allie_Caulfield/Flickr

Wat Pa Phai

Wat Pa Phai | © Allie Caulfield/WikiCommons

Wat Sene

Wat Sene | © Jean-Marie Hullot/WikiCommons

Wat Aham

Wat Aham | © Allie_Caulfield/Flickr

Wat Wisunarat

Vat Wisunarat | © Benh LIEU SONG/WikiCommons

Wat Manolom

Wat Manorom | © Iwan Gabovitch/Flickr

Santi Chedi

Phrathat Khong Santi Chedi | © Iwan Gabovitch/Flickr

Wat Long Khun

Vat Longkhoune | © Alcyon/WikiCommons

Wat Chom Phet

Wat Chom Phet | © Alcyon/WikiCommons

Wat Nam Kaew Luang

Wat Nam Kaew Luang | © John Pavelka/Flickr

That Ing Hang

That Ing Hang | © tango7174/WikiCommons

Haven’t had your fill of Theravada Buddhist temples? Check out these beauties in Laos’ neighbor, Thailand.