The Wat Mahathat or Wat That (officially Wat Pha Mahathat or Wat Si Mahatat) is the 'Monastery of the stupa', and is one of the most attractive temples of Luang Prabang. The temple and the impressive stupa that is behind the sim, were built in 1548 by King Say Setthathirath, who was then ruling from Chiang Mai. The influences of northern Thailand ar clearly visible in the golden parasols, standing on the stupa and elsewhere in the temple. Also very interesting is the stairway and entrance to the temple, with its seven-headed naga.

The original sim and some other buildings collapsed in 1900, during a severe storm, in which many people lost their lives. The building that we see now, dates back from 1910. The entrance to the compound is on Thanon Chao Fa Ngum. The location of Wat Mahathat is indicated on the Interactive map of Luang Prabang.