The Wat Sok Pa Luang in Vientiane is more commonly known as the 'Forest temple' (Wat Pa). Most interesting feature of this temple, is its good herbal sauna. This sauna is located between the lush green of on the temple compound, so you can enjoy a steam bath in pleasant and quiet surroundings. The sauna is built on stilts, as a traditional Lao house. At the spacious veranda, you can let the herbs work on your skin for a while, and drink some herbal tea. Also, you can undergo a massage here.

The sauna can be visited daily from 14:00 to 17:30. The Wat Si Amphon, just a few hundred metres further away, also has herba; saunas.

Wat Pa Sok Luang is also known for its courses and instruction in Vipassana meditation, which is a process of self observation, aiming to clear the mind from negativities like anger, hatred, greed and fear. As the influence of these negativities becomes weaker, positive things like love, compassion and joy will start to develop. Every saturday afternoon between 16:00 and 17:30 you are welcome to attend a session free of charge. For your questions after the meditation, there is usually a translator present.

For the location of this temple and others, look at the Interactive map of Vientiane.