|
|
Originally built in 1566
by King Saysethathirath, That
Luang Stupa was rebuilt in 1953. The golden stupa stands 45 meters tall
and is
believed to contain a relic of Lord Buddha. Today it is the nation’s
most
important cultural monument. Symbolizing the coming together of all Lao
people
it holds a special place in the national psyche |
 |
|
|
The gold colored
centerpiece of this stupa echoes the curve
of an elongated Lotus bud. The shrine is the focus for the annual That
Luang
Festival. The festival is celebrated for 7 daysand nights during the
twelfth
full moon of the Buddhist lunar calendar where monks are presented with
flower
offerings and residents enjoy traditional cultural performances |
|
|
That Luang Stupa is open
from 8:00H to 16:00H, except
Mondays and public holidays |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previously the ancient
temple, it was built in 1565 by King
Saysethathirath to house the Emerald Buddha (lost to the Siamese in
1828) as
his personal place of worship. For this reason and unlike other temples
in
Laos, monks have not taken up residence here. During the 1970’s the
temple was
converted from a place of worship into a museum and it now houses
nation’s
finest collection of Buddhist sculpture and artifacts |
 |
|
|
From the terrace of HoPra
Keo a view overlooking the
President’ Palace (former Royal Palace) and gardens can be enjoyed. The
museum
is open daily 08:00H to 12:00H and 13:00H to 16:00H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This temple is located in
the center of the old city and
was built in 1818 by King Anouvong and is Vientiane’s oldest remaining
temple
having survived the destination of the city by the Siamese in 1828 |
 |
|
|
The oldest monastery
stands intact in its original from and
certainly is one of the most interesting in the country. Inside the
main hall,
the courtyard walls house hundreds of little niches and shelves
containing a
total of 6,840 Buddha images. Ho Trai is a hall containing many
Buddhist
manuscripts, which were published in the 18th century. The
temple is
also renowned after featuring as the Lao national emblem at the 1970
Expo Osaka
in Japan |
|
|
The temple is open daily
from 08:00H to 12:00H and 13:00H
to 16:00H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The memorial monument of
Patuxay is perhaps the most
prominent landmark in the city. It was constructed in its prominent
position on
Lanexang Avenue in 1958. While the architecture was inspired by the Arc
de
Triomphe in Paris the design incorporates typical Lao motifs including
“Kinnari”, a mythical birdwoman |
|
|
|
Energetic visitors can
climb to the top of the monument.
Which reveals an excellent panoramic view of the city. The monument is
open
daily from 08:00H to 17:00H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Located near That Luang
Stupa, this simple star-tipped
monument was built as a tribute to those who died in the revolutionary
struggle
between 1945 to 1975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The original foundation
pillar of Vientiane can be found in
Wat Simuang, which is located in Ban Simuang village along the
Sethathirath
Road. It was built in 1956 and is thought to be guarded by the spirit a
local
girl called “Si”. Local legend has it that Nang Si, who was pregnant at
the
time, leapt to her death as a sacrifice, just as the pillar was being
lowered
into the hold. A very colorful Phasat Pheung (wax pavilion procession)
takes
place two days prior to the That Luang Festival in November, which
attracts
large crowds to Wat Simuang Temple |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wat Ongtue or “the temple
of the heavy Buddha”, houses a 16th
Century Buddha image weighing an incredible ten tons. The temple was
built by
King Saysethathirath and is found on the street of the same name –
Sethathirath
Road |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wat Inpeng Pagoda is a
historical landmark of arts and
culture, located on the north of Wat Ongtue Temple. There are many
historical
elements of interest to those studying Lao art and culture including
the rock
sculptures, Buddha image and rock columns depicting Mon and Khmer
cultures |
|
|
Despite many of the
original items in this temple having since
been removed. The pagoda still corresponds to the King of Gods. It was
once
said that during construction, He transformed himself into an old wise
man to
assist with construction. Legend also holds that He further transformed
himself
into an old white monk to help construct the Buddha image. From then
on, the
temple became known as Wat Inpeng, which means “to transform” |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ta
Lat Sao or Morning Market |
|
|
|
|
Located on Lanexang
Avenue opposite the Post Office, the
Morning Market consists of 3 main buildings each with 2 floors. This
lively
shopping market has become the commercial center of Vientiane. A huge
variety
of goods are sold among including Lao antiques, textiles, souvenirs,
handicrafts, jewelry, and products imported from abroad. The market is
open daily
from 07:00H to 17:00H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suan
Wattanatham Bandapao or National Ethnic Cultural Park |
|
|
|
The National Ethnic
Cultural Park is located 20 kilometers
south from Vientiane near the Friendship Bridge. Visitors can follow
shady
paths past model-sized traditional Lao Homes, sculpture of Lao literacy
heroes
and through a small zoo. Afterwards visitors can relax at the Mekong’s
riverside, where the view of Khau Midthaphab (Friendship Bridge) can be
enjoyed
from several bars and restaurants |
|
|
|
The National Ethnic
Cultural Park is open daily from 08:00H
to 18:00H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Khau
Midthaphab or Friendship Bridge |
|
|
|
|
The friendship Bridge was
officially opened in April 1994
and it spans the Mekong River linking Lao P.D.R. (Vientiane) with
neighboring
Thailand (Nongkhai). As one of Lao’s International Border Checkpoints,
tourists
can be obtained for entry at the Bridge |
|
|
It is open daily from
06:00H to 22:00H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Xieng Khouan Buddha
Park is a religious sculpture park,
which was built in 1958. A collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures
is
scattered amongst gardens and trees. Built about 28 kilometers south of
Vientiane backing onto the Mekong River, the town of Nongkhai in
neighboring
Thailand can be seen on the opposite side of the river |
|
|
The park is open daily
from 08:00H to 16:30H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This small but attractive
waterfall is situated in
Naxaithong District about 25 kilometers to the north of Vientiane |
SERVICES
