Over the past couple of years one of Vientiane’s most beautiful temples, Vat Si Saket, has been undergoing a steady process of renovation.

The roof of the cloisters have been retiled and now some of the inner walls are being painted. The image above is how they have looked for as long as I can remember. Below shows the work being done. I assume this is how they believe they were originally painted.

I’m not sure if the intention is to do all the walls. If it is, then it’s a mammoth task but should look stunning when completed.

Vat Si Saket is one of the oldest and most atmospheric temples in Vientiane. It was built in 1818 and is one of the few to have survived an attack on Vientiane by the Siamese army a decade later.

The temple’s central ‘sim’ or ordination hall is surrounded by a walled cloister. In addition to rows of large Buddha images, recesses in the cloister walls house 6,840 wooden and ceramic images.

The temple is open daily from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.