VIENTIANE |
Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals)
is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets. |
HO PHA KEO |
The former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built
in 1565 by King Setthathirat. It has been used as a museum since 1970
and the main structure, which originally housed Prakeo, the Emerald Buddha,
and now containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures found
in Laos. |
PATUXAI (Victory Gate) |
A large monument in the style of the Arc de Triomphe
in Paris, this huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang has a stairway
that leads to the top levels of the monument, providing a good view of
the city. |
PHA THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary
or Great Stupa) |
Built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it
is the most important national monument in Laos, functioning as a dual
symbol of the Buddhist religion and the Lao nation. |
TALAAT SAO |
The Morning Market - actually open all day,sells
a wide range of fabrics, jewelry and electronic goods. |
WAT SI MUANG |
This temple is one of the most popularly used temple
grounds in the city, as it contains the city pillar and acts as the home
of Vientiane's guardian spirits. |
WAT SI SAKET |
Constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in the early
Bangkok style. Wat Si Saket is the oldest original temple in Vientiane,
the only to survive from foreign invasion in 1828. Small niches carved
in its interior walls contain more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha
images. |
