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| Reviews and photos of Vientiane attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Vientiane sightseeing. Vientiane Map |
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Haw Pha Kaew is the former royal temple that now houses a museum containing some of the best Buddhist images in Laos. The original temple is said to have been built in 1565 to give shelter to the Emerald Buddha. The name Pha Kaew translates to Jewel Buddha Image. This sacred Buddha was stolen by the Siamese in 1779 and brought to Bangkok. The Lao temple was later destroyed and rebuilt in the mid-1900s. In addition to the great abundance of Buddhist art, the outside garden is a manicured delight and a great place to spend a relaxing morning. Leave a Comment Address: Thanon SetthalhilatDirections: A short walk from Wat Si Saket, about 100m southeast.
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Pha That Luang is a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and the sovereignty of Laos, thus making it the most revered of national monuments by its people. World Precious Sacred Stupa’s name and image are the national seal of Laos. According to legend, a piece of the breastbone of Buddha was enclosed here in the stupa that originally was built here in the 3rd century BC. The current structure was built in the mid-16th century by King Setthathirat. It has been reconstructed many times since.
The approach to the huge golden complex is awe inspiring, especially on a bright sunny day. But its true splendor does not become apparent until you enter its magical grounds. It looks literally to be constructed entirely of gold, with sheer shiny surfaces extending upwards towards eternity. You can surprisingly walk around the various structures without a guide and in your own tranquility. This is evidently what the idea was, to let its followers contemplate the meaning of life and the relationship between this meaning and what they see. Leave a Comment Directions: This is a bit out of town. You can save some money by walking out to the Patuxai and grabbing a tuk tuk from there. From there, it should be about a dollar to the Golden wonder.
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Wat Si Muang and its surrounding grounds are home to the city pillar/phallus, thus making it the keeper of the guardian spirit of Vietiane. It is also the most frequently used place of worship and religious celebration in all the city. Gory legend has it that when a massive hole was dug to receive the pillar/phallus, a pregnant woman lept in as sacrifice before the massive stone was released. Yikes. But now the grounds seem a peaceful place for contemplation and are understandably popular with locals. Leave a Comment Directions: At the three-way intersection of Thanon Setthathilat, Thanon Samsenthai, and Thanon Tha Deua.
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Wat Si Saket is the oldest standing temple in Vientiane and was built by Chao Anou in 1818 in the early Bangkok style as befitted his education there. The sim (ordination hall) is surrounded by a terrace as is typical of the style and is topped with an ornate five-tiered roof. Its trademark feature is a cloister wall that is beset with over 2000 ceramic and silver Buddha images. Leave a Comment Address: corner of Thanon Setthathilat & Thanon Lan Xang
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That Dam was renovated in 1995 but retains an atmospheric look that recalls its early Lan Xang period origins. It is said to be home to a seven-headed dragon that protected locals during the 1828 Lao-Siamese war. Leave a Comment Address: Thanon BartholomieDirections: An easy landmark to find, between the US Embassy and Hotel Ekalath Metropole.
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Within the confines of Wat Si Sisket is an elegant haw tai or library that was pillaged by the Siamese, who took scripture once housed here to Bangkok. Its prominent feature is a Burmese tiered roof. Leave a Comment Directions: To the left of the entrance of the cloister of Wat Si Sisket.
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This small wat was little visited and is not one of the more famous in Vientiane but it has a pretty ornamental doorway surrounded by a colorful mural. It was also a quiet place to catch your breath and being very close to the riverfront, it provided some shade to escape the heat of the midday sun. Leave a Comment Directions: Just off Thanon Fa Ngum on the riverfront.
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Patuxai is a huge monument that resembles the Arch de Triomphe in Paris and gives one more nod to Vientiane’s French Colonial past. The Lao names loosely translates as victory gate and was built in the 1960s with cement from the US earmarked for a new airport. Though from a distance it looks distinctly French, there are bas-reliefs and ornate touches that befit a Lao temple. Leave a Comment Address: Thanon Lan XangDirections: It is just outside the center and you will pass it on the way to Pha That Luang.
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The impressive wood and mosaic facade of the sim veranda is its hallmark feature and the overall feel is of the Bangkok style. What drew us into the grounds were two nyak or guardina angles that flank the entry gates. Leave a Comment Address: Thanon SetthalhilatDirections: On the city's main street coming from our guesthouse, it was impossible to miss.
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In this small temple located near the Fountain Square, in the centre, you can easily see how similar are lao religious ornaments to those in Thailand. These demons colud be located in the Bangkok Royal Palace (though not as rich as those).
In general, Laos is quite closer to Thailand than to Cambodia or Myanmar... Leave a Comment
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- Novotel Vientiane Hotel
Unit 9 Ban Khountathong, Samsenthai Road, Sikhotabong PO Box 585, Vientiane - Royal Dokmaidaeng
Lane Xang Ave, Vientiane - Cosmo
Km 7, 13 South Rd., 894-26 Ban Phakhao, Saythany Dist., Vientiane - Novotel Vientiane
Unit 9 Ban Khountathong, Samsenthai Road, Sikhotabong PO Box 585, Vientiane - Homduang Boutique Hotel Vientiane
379 Samsenthai Road (formerly the Asian Pavilion Hotel), Vientiane
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on December 14, 2004
on September 5, 2003
