Beautiful Wat Inpeng (unknown age, rebuilt 19th century onward),LAOS 🇱🇦

Wat Inpeng stands to the southeast of the junction of Rue Setthathirath and Khun Bu Lom Road, about 200 meters west of Wat Ong Teu and Wat Hai Sok. Though it is a large temple with an impressive sim, the author has not been able to locate reliable information regarding its origins. Almost certainly the temple was reconstructed sometime after 1827 when Siamese armies burned the city to the ground following a failed rebellion by King Anouvong. However, it is not certain to what extent—if any—the temple existed prior to the city's fall.

The exterior of the temple is somewhat gaudy in appearance with whitewashed walls juxtaposed with liberal use of formulaic, repetitive elements such as long rows of identical dragon-shaped brackets. In between the brackets, and along the front and rear facades, are colored reliefs depicting various scenes from the Buddha's life, such as the defeat of Mara which is shown on the front-right panel of the east facade. The 'Wheel of Dhamma' occupies a central position on the pelmet, surrounded by swirls of vegetation. Although this (along with the the entirety of the facade) is rendered cleanly in gold stencil in front of a green background, the effect is spoiled by the width of the facade which makes the the supporting columns appear pencil-thin with the pelmet, pediment, and tympanum occupying too wide of an area to span gracefully. 

The interior of the sim is far better, with fine use color that tends toward the red and gold. Red columns, red carpets, and a red-colored roof stand amidst the large gold Buddha and the prominent use of gold stenciling, particularly on the columns and ceiling. The carpeting serves to deaden sound, reducing the echo that would otherwise be expected in such a large chamber, helping to make the sim a more intimate and inviting space. 

The highlight of the temple is the small hor trai (library) located on the north side. All four sides include finely rendered stucco detail which has, unfortunately, been painted over with a uniform tan wash. Although this probably serves to protect the stucco, it likely makes any further restoration and conservation more of a challenge. Many of the figures depicted on the hor trai are rendered in life-like proportions, but visitors should note the cartoonish trio of ogres grinning over the main entrance.