That Luang, or the Great Stupa, in Vientiane is a national symbol (its image is on Laos’ official seal) and also the most sacred monument in the country. From the outside That Luang looks more like a fortress surrounded by high walls and it features two temples with the main stupa, the top of which is covered with gold leaf, standing 148 feet tall. The beautiful architecture is in Lao style, influenced by Buddhist beliefs – these include finely-gilded, red-lacquer doors, pointed lesser stupas, many Buddha images and beautiful flower and animal images.
Locals say that it was originally built as early as the third century to house a breastbone of the Lord Buddha brought to Laos by an Indian missionary. However, the current structure was built by King Setthathirat in 1566 on the site of a 13th century Khmer ruin. He named Vientiane the capital after Luang Prabang in the mid-sixteenth century. An elegantly crafted statue of him stands in front of the main entrance to That Luang. Read more at: http://www.visit-laos.com/vientiane/that-luang.
Read more about That Luang – Vientiane Great Stupa or visit the blog tuorism.
Thatluang Cooked Food Market is a popular market located near the famous That Luang Stupa in Vientiane, Laos. It is well known for its variety of street food and local delicacies. The market offers a lively atmosphere where visitors can enjoy traditional Lao dishes, grilled meats, AW Lam, fresh vegetables, Sweet food and more. It is a great spot to experience the local culture and cuisine, during the evenings when the market becomes particularly vibrant with locals and tourists alike.
Read more about That Luang market or visit the blog tuorism.
Read more about Wat Sisaket in Vientiane Vientiane Attractionsorvisit the blog tuorism.
Wat Si Saket located in Vientiane is famous for its cloister wall housing thousands of tiny Buddha images and rows with hundreds of seated Buddhas. These images mainly date from the 16th and 19th centuries and come in all sizes and are made from wood, stone and bronze – more than 6,800 Buddhas in total.
If visiting the temple early in the morning, visitors will come across the many locals that go to pray and make merit as well as to offer food to the monks. It is a charming daily ceremony to witness. The temple is quite shady as it is surrounded by tropical fruit trees.
Read more about Wat Sisaket in Vientiane Vientiane Attractions or visit the blog tuorism.
Vientiane boasts several beautiful temples or wats, but one of the most impressive and interesting of them is Wat Ho Phra Keo. It was originally constructed in 1565 as the Lao royal family’s personal chapel, and as a home for the Emerald Buddha after it was snatched from northern Siam (Thailand). This sacred jade statue was reclaimed by the Siamese in 1778 and now sits in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Even without the Emerald Buddha, however, Ho Phra Keo is well worth a visit.
The only part of the old royal palace that has survived, the temple is no longer used for religious purposes and is now a museum. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as it is often known in English, is richly adorned with carved wooden features, a magnificent 16th century lacquered door with Hindu carvings, numerous Khmer stone carvings and a variety of Buddha statues.
Read more about Wat Ho Phra Keo in Vientiane or visit the blog tuorism.
Wat Si Saket located in Vientiane is famous for its cloister wall housing thousands of tiny Buddha images and rows with hundreds of seated Buddhas. These images mainly date from the 16th and 19th centuries and come in all sizes and are made from wood, stone and bronze – more than 6,800 Buddhas in total.
If visiting the temple early in the morning, visitors will come across the many locals that go to pray and make merit as well as to offer food to the monks. It is a charming daily ceremony to witness. The temple is quite shady as it is surrounded by tropical fruit trees.
Read more aboutWat Sisaket in Vientiane Vientiane Attractionsorvisit the blog tuorism.
Buddha Park (aka Xieng Khuan) is a famous sculpture park with more than 200 religious statues including a huge 40-metre high reclining Buddha image. The best spot for photography here is on top of the giant pumpkin structure standing about three stories high. The entrance is crafted to look like a demon’s mouth (about three metres high) with a stone ladder inside leading to a bird’s eye view of the entire Xieng Kuan Park.
Buddha Park Highlights It was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. This explains why his park is full not only of Buddha images but also of Hindu gods as well as demons and animals from both beliefs.
Read more about Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane Vientiane Attractions or visit the blog tuorism.
Buddha Park (aka Xieng Khuan) is a famous sculpture park with more than 200 religious statues including a huge 40-metre high reclining Buddha image. The best spot for photography here is on top of the giant pumpkin structure standing about three stories high. The entrance is crafted to look like a demon’s mouth (about three metres high) with a stone ladder inside leading to a bird’s eye view of the entire Xieng Kuan Park.
Buddha Park Highlights It was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. This explains why his park is full not only of Buddha images but also of Hindu gods as well as demons and animals from both beliefs.
Read more about Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane Vientiane Attractions or visit the blog tuorism.
That Dam, or black stupa, is located on a quiet roundabout not far from Talat Sao (the morning market) and the American Embassy.
That in Laotian refers to an inverted bell shape (or unopened lotus flower) structure that usually contains relics of the Buddha. Legend has it that a seven-headed water serpent – a ‘Naga’ lived here to protect the stupa that was once covered in pure gold. During the Siamese-Laotian war in the 1820s, the gold was pillaged and taken to Siam, now Thailand, leaving the legacy that is the black stupa today.
That Dam is still regarded by the Lao as the guardian spirit of the city. With its blend of legend, folklore, and history, this ancient stupa offers visitors a fascinating and charming experience.
Unlike many religious sites in neighboring countries, such as Thailand, where stupas and temples are continuously renovated, That Dam remains untouched, offering a refreshing and authentic glimpse into the past.
For a truly captivating experience, visit That Dam in the late evening, when it is illuminated by vibrant, colorful lights. You can also enjoy the view from nearby restaurants and bars that surround the stupa
Read more about That Dam (Black Stupa) in Vientiane Vientiane or visit the blog tuorism.
Wat Si Muang is a Khmer temple with a fascinating legend that still holds great significance among the Laotian community. The gold structure was built in 1563, during the reign of King Setthathirath.
The temple’s name comes from a young woman, Si Muang, who sacrificed herself over 400 years ago to appease angry spirits. She threw herself into a hole in the ground where the building’s central pillar was to be placed, and was crushed when the massive pillar was lowered into position.
As this central pillar also formed the center of the town, Wat Si Muang is also called the ‘mother temple’ of Vientiane. There is a small statue of Si Muang behind the building, along with a heap of bricks that are said to date back to her time.
The temple is next to King Sisavang Vong’s monument, which you can visit by passing a gate within the temple grounds. Wat Si Muang serves the local Buddhist community, and has several stalls at the entrance selling bananas, coconuts, flowers, incense and candles for offerings.
Read more about Wat Si Muang in Vientiane or visit the blog tuorism.