Vientiane Attractions

WHAT TO SEE IN VIENTIANE

For many, Laos is the highlight of their Southeast Asia trip as it has been saved from the mass tourist trail that has led to her neighbours –Thailand and Vietnam. This relatively undeveloped nation is located between rugged mountains and the fertile low lands of the Mekong, and is touched by both European and Asian cultures. The city’s man-made structures are as distinctive as the areas of natural splendor.

Modernity has yet to infiltrate this sleepy capital, where temples and religious affiliations blend with the rural foundations of the city. The majority of the city's sights are situated within relatively close proximity of each another due to the fact that an urban sprawl has yet to materialize within the city.

1. Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane

Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane, Laos

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.

The most outstanding ones include Indra, the king of Hindu gods riding the three-headed elephant (aka Erawan and Airavata), a four-armed deity sitting on a horse and an artistic deity with 12 faces and many hands, each holding interesting objects. They are all equally impressive not only because of their enormous size but because they are full of interesting details and interesting motifs.

There is a local eatery and café offering food and drinks to tourists at one end of the park right next to the Mekong River that makes a great spot to chill after all the walking and climbing. Among the popular snacks are papaya salad, fried bananas and cold Lao beer. It also has a souvenir shop and restrooms. There is a small fee for entering the park as well as for photography.

Buddha Park

• Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 – 18:00.
• Location: About 25 kilometres southeast of Vientiane, along the Mekong River.
• How to get there: The Buddha Park can be reached by public bus or tuk tuk.

2. Lao National Museum

Lao National Museum

A visit to the Lao National Museum, also known as the Lao National History Museum, is an excellent way to learn about the history, culture and people of Laos while spending a couple of hours out of the sun. Many of the exhibits are a bit faded and the old French colonial building is falling apart, but the museum covers a lot of ground, from prehistoric times to the modern day.

Although the range of artifacts and photographs is not as comprehensive or as well organised as you might expect in a national museum, there are nonetheless some fascinating exhibits here. The ground floor houses a mixture of ancient items such as dinosaur bones, pottery shards and Khmer sculptures that trace the early history of the region.

Upstairs, you will find more detail in the exhibits, which depict the turbulent modern history of Laos from the Siamese invasions and the French colonial period to the American military presence during the Vietnam War, and through to the present day. There is a heavy emphasis on the struggle for independence and the introduction of communism in 1975, which explains why the museum was originally named the Lao Revolutionary Museum.

Lao National Museum Highlights

• The Lao National Museum is housed in the old French Governor’s mansion, which was built in 1925.
• Formerly known as the Lao Revolutionary Museum, it was renamed in 2000 and is sometimes also referred to as the Lao National History Museum.
• The exhibits of ancient Lao history and culture on the ground floor include a particularly interesting display from the Plain of Jars (Savannakhet), which features an intact jar from the site.
• Of the modern-day exhibits, many visitors find the one about unexploded ordinances from the American War the most fascinating and thought-provoking. From 1964 to 1973, Laos was heavily bombed, and many unexploded shells remain scattered around the countryside.
• Be prepared for many of the displays and their labels to show an anti-Western bias, describing the Americans in particular as ‘imperialists’.
• Stop and sign the guestbook at the entrance, and read some of the amusing exchanges on communism.
• The entrance fee is minimal.
• No bags or cameras are allowed in the museum. You will need to hand in your belongings for storage in the lockers at the entrance (free).

Lao National Museum

• Opening Hours: From 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, seven days a week. Closed on public holidays.
• Location: The Lao National Museum is located in the centre of town on Thanon Samsenthai, one block from the Lao Plaza Hotel and in front of the Tennis Club and the National Stadium.
• How to get there: You can easily walk, ride a rented bicycle, or take a tuk-tuk or jumbo to the National Museum from anywhere in central Vientiane. Thanon Samsenthai is one of the main boulevards in the city, and runs parallel with the river.

3. That Dam (Black Stupa) in Vientiane

That Dam (Black Stupa) in Vientiane

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 (Black Stupa)

Known as the ‘Black Stupa', many locals believe this mythological structure was once inhabited by a seven-headed dragon (now dormant) that stood to protect the city from the threat of the Siamese. Another tale that does the rounds says that the gold that once graced the surface was taken when the Siamese army ransacked Vientiane back in 1828.

As if to serve as a memorial to that terrible act, the crumbling and weather-worn That Dam stands forlorn, neglected and un-loved. There are no glittering embellishments typical of similar establishments in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries; no worshippers come here to pray.

Nevertheless, the Lao still regard That Dam as the city’s guardian spirit. Legend, folklore, and history all combine to make this structure a curious and charming place to visit. It makes a change from most religious sites in nearby Thailand, for example, where stupas and temples are endlessly renovated and rebuilt, and history, at best, is lost and buried deep within them.

Location: Chantha Khoumane Road, Vientiane.

4. The Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace

The building of the elegant Presidential Palace on Lane Xang Street was first started in 1973 by the then Royal Lao government on the grounds that used to house the royal residence. It was designed by local architect Khamphoung Phonekeo, but due to political change brought about by the takeover of the communist Pathet Lao in 1975, the building was not completed until much later.

The Presidential Palace finally opened its doors in 1986 and even then only as a venue for government functions and ceremonies. The building is closed to the public.

The Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace is a well-known landmark for its imposing yet elegant beau arts-style architecture complete with tall colonnades and shaded balconies. The building is surrounded by well-manicured lawns and gardens and fenced off by tall walls and a wrought iron gate.

The Presidential Palace is not to be confused with the official home of the Lao president, which is located in the Vientiane suburb of Ban Phonthan. This magnificent building is lit up in the evening and offers a great opportunity for night photography although a long lens may be needed.

• Location: Junction of Lane Xang Avenue and Settathirath Road, Vientiane.

5. Wat Ho Phra Keo

Wat Ho Phra Keo

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.

The stone balustrade of each of the temple stairs features a dragon with its head facing the grounds, guarding the sacred building. The shady, well-kept garden is an oasis of calm that offers a welcome respite from the sun and a quiet place to meditate or simply rest.

• The name Ho Phra Keo means "Altar of the Emerald Buddha", in reference to the fact that only the altar remained when the statue was removed.
• It is also sometimes spelled Haw Phra Keow, Ho Prakeo or Ho Phra Kaew. English-language guidebooks often refer to it as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• The temple was first built on the grounds of the royal palace in 1565, but was destroyed in the Siamese invasion of 1828-29.
• Prince Souvanna Phouma, an engineer and future prime minister of Laos, directed the reconstruction of Wat Ho Phra Keo between 1936 and 1942.
• Although it is relatively new, the Bangkok-rococo style structure has a distinctly traditional look.
• On its veranda you will see some of the finest examples of Buddhist sculpture in Laos.
• The interior of the temple is now a museum that houses many Lao treasures such as a gilded throne, Khmer Buddhist stone tablets, wooden carvings, bronze frog drums and palm-leaf manuscripts.
• The entrance fee is less than a dollar.
• The neatly tended garden contains colourful flowers, lush green lawns and charming statues set among the shady trees.

Wat Ho Phra Keo

Opening Hours: The temple is open from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 every day.
Location: Wat Ho Phra Keo is situated on the corner of Thanon Setthathilath and Thanon Mahosot. It is next to the Presidential Palace and across the road from Wat Si Saket. Mahosot Hospital is on the opposite side of Thanon Mahosot.
How to get there: As is the case with Vientiane’s other attractions, Ho Phra Keo is just a short stroll, bicycle ride or tuk-tuk trip from other parts of the city centre. From the main entertainment and business district, head east along Thanon Setthathilath or Thanon Fa Ngum, which runs along the river, and you will find the majestic Wat Ho Phra Keo in a tree-filled compound just after the Presidential Palace.

6. Wat Si Muang

Wat Si Muang Vientiane

Wat Si Muang is one of Vientiane’s most popular sites of worship, and offers a fascinating insight into how old animist beliefs have blended seamlessly with Theravada Buddhism.

According to local legend, when the temple was being built in 1563 a young pregnant woman named Si Muang volunteered to sacrifice herself to appease the 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. This central pillar also formed the centre of the town that was springing up around Wat Si Muang, which to this day is revered as the ‘mother temple’ of Vientiane.

During the That Luang Festival every October or November, this temple is one of the focal points of the celebrations, and Si Muang is fêted as a guardian of the city. On a daily basis, Wat Si Muang attracts crowds of local Buddhists who want to benefit from its ‘good luck’ powers. It is commonly thought that if you pray for something here and simultaneously make a promise, your wish will be granted, providing you return and fulfil your promise.

• The first Wat Si Muang was constructed in 1563, but was destroyed by Siamese invaders in 1828. It was subsequently rebuilt a number of times, and the present wat dates from 1915.
• The temple is named after Si Muang, who sacrificed herself in the pit that holds the central pillar of the structure. There is a small statue of Si Muang behind the building, along with a heap of old bricks that are said to date back to her time.
• The building itself is fairly unremarkable, although it does, unusually, contain two rooms rather than one. In the front chamber, you will find a monk offering blessings, while the back room contains an ornate altar where worshippers give their offerings.
• The interior of the temple is lavishly adorned in the usual manner with carved gold pillars, brightly coloured ceiling friezes and painted scenes from the life of the Buddha.
• There is no entrance charge, but you do have to pay to park your bicycle or motorcycle on the temple grounds.
• King Sisavang Vong's monument is located next door, and is reachable through a gate from the Wat Si Muang grounds.

Wat Si Muang

• Opening Hours: The temple is open from 06:00 to 19:00 every day. • Location: Wat Si Muang is located at the eastern end of Thanon Setthathirath, in the triangular area formed just before the street merges with Thanon Samsenthai and turns into Thanon Thadeua. • How to get there: Follow either Thanon Setthathirath or Thanon Samsenthai in an easterly direction towards the Friendship Bridge. If you are on Thanon Setthathirath, go past La Leela Hotel, and you will see the yellow Wat Si Muang on the other side of the street, surrounded by parked bicycles and motorbikes, as well as stalls selling flowers and other offerings.

7. Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE)

Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE)

Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, or COPE, is a local non-profit organization that provides clinical treatment and rehabilitation programmes for Lao people with physical disabilities. Working with the government National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), and with financial assistance from international organizations and private sectors, COPE makes prosthetic legs and funds the manufacturing of orthotic devices (devices that help support parts of the body), and wheelchairs and tricycles. It also custom fits arms and hands.

Unexploded weapons (UXO) that litter the countryside as a result of the Vietnam War has been and continues to injure and maim thousands of people in the Lao PDR. Most of these people are children who live in rural areas and have limited access to health care. With a headquarters in Vientiane, COPE has five rehabilitation centres in eight provinces to cover the hard-to-reach areas. It provides and funds all the medical treatments and also travelling and accommodation costs for all patients.

COPE centre in Vientiane is well worth a visit. There is an exhibit about the problem of UXO in Lao PDR, with excellent documentary films on the work of the organization. Here, visitors can watch how prosthetic legs are made in COPE workshop using polypropylene, a highly durable but low cost material.

The Karma Cafe and gift shop are both made from bamboo harvested locally in a bid to save the transport costs of modern construction materials from Thailand. Stop here to have a cup of Lao coffee and homemade ice cream. At COPE gift shop, you can buy T-shirts and postcards or simply make a donation to this worthwhile cause. The centre even lends out bicycles for free for visitors to explore the town. COPE is situated about 1 km from talat sao (morning market). For those who would like to organise fundraising events, COPE has made a publicity pack for this purpose that contains booklets, a DVD, and its logo.

Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise

• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00.
• Location: Khouvieng Road, opposite Green Park Hotel.
• Tel: +856 (21) 218 427.

8. Patuxai Victory Monument

Patuxai Victory Monument, Vientiane

With its crenellated upper level topped with five ornate towers in the traditional Laos style, the Patuxai Victory Monument cuts a distinctive figure on the Vientiane skyline. It forms the centrepiece of Patuxai Park, and is dedicated to the Laos who were killed in the fight to gain independence from France, as well as from the nation’s earlier occupiers, Siam and Japan.

Situated at the end of one of the capital’s grand avenues, the large, square arch is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, as a monument to Laos’ resilience and eventual independence, Patuxai was designed to pay homage to its national culture and traditions. Its exterior embellishments feature both Buddhist religious symbols such as lotus leaves and the stupa-shaped towers, and statues of animist kinnari (half-female and half-bird figures) and nagas (dragons).

The interior of the monument is also richly decorated with painted walls and ceilings depicting gods, goddesses and elephants. For a small fee, you can climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic view of the charming, old-fashioned city of Vientiane with its many trees, low-rise buildings and temples, and all the way across the Mekong River to Thailand.

Patuxai Highlights

• Patuxai was built between 1957 and 1968 using funds from the U.S. government.
• It is sometimes nicknamed the ‘vertical runway’ as the cement used was intended for the construction of a new airport.
• The name comes from the Sanskrit words for door or gate (patu) and victory (jaya).
• Patuxai features four arches, facing North, South, East and West.
• The four corner towers and fifth central tower that crown the arch symbolise the five Buddhist principles of thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honour and prosperity.
• The seven floors of the monument contain administrative offices as well as a gift shop, a museum and the upper viewing galleries.
• Patuxai Park is a popular place to stroll around in the afternoons among the palm trees and lotus ponds. There is also a musical fountain that was donated by China.
• The peace gong at the northern end of the park was presented to Laos by Indonesia in recognition of Laos being named the world’s most peaceful country.
• For an entrance fee of 3,000 Kip (38 US cents) you can take the stairs or the new lifts to the top floor viewing area.

Patuxai

• Opening Hours: From 08:00 to 16:30 on Mondays to Fridays, and 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Location: Patuxai is situated at the far end of Thanon Lane Xang in the government and diplomatic district. The monument sits on the large ‘island’ formed where the avenue splits into two, opposite the Ministry of Justice to the south and the Prime Minister’s office to the north.
• How to get there: Vientiane is such a small city that it is easy to get around on foot, by bicycle, or by tuk-tuk. To get to Patuxai, head north-east from the Presidential Palace near the river and follow Thanon Lane Xang for five blocks until you see the imposing sight of the Patuxai arch.

9. That Luang - Vientiane Great Stupa

That Luang - Vientiane Great Stupa, Laos

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.

That Luang was greatly damaged by the Burmese, Chinese and Siamese during invasions in the 18th and 19th centuries then was basically left alone until French colonial times. Restoration work was completed in 1900 by the French and for a second time in 1930, again with the help of the French.

Every November when the Boun That Luang Festival is held in Vientiane, a large crowd of followers and tourists come to town from all over Laos and neighbouring countries. The festival is considered the most important Buddhist celebration in Laos with many activities going on for three days and three nights. The main event is always held at That Luang and thousands of people come to pay respect to the stupa and to enjoy the colourful event that includes parades, live music and religious ceremonies.

That Luang

• Opening Hours: All year round.
• Location: The impressively gilded structure is situated about four kilometres northeast of Vientiane.

10. Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng in Laos

Vang Vieng for many travelers is simply a piece of heaven on earth. Surrounded by scenic landscape ranging from mountains to rivers and limestone cliffs to rice fields, this small and scenic town offers a long list of interesting attractions. The Nam Song River is where you will witness the famous tubing – and young travellers sitting in large inner tubes floating downriver is a common sight in Vang Vieng.

Actually it has become a large part of the reason why many young people come here in the first place. The well-known Tham Poukham Cave features the "Blue Lagoon", a nice spot to swim and swing lazily on a rope, while Tham Norn is among one of the biggest caves in Vang Vieng. If time allows, make a stop at the local market to catch a gimpse of everyday life in a typical Lao rural area.

Prices are very reasonable for just about everything including grilled river fish, veggies, noodle stir-fries, beef BBQ and sticky rice. The most convenient place to head to when feeling hungry is the town centre where you will find many small eateries to select from. Alternatively, please try the following list.

Kangaroo Sunset Bar

A well-known restaurant and bar and often full with a friendly crowd, Kangaroo Sunset is as the name suggests a great place to view the beautiful sunset in Vang Vieng. You can also do it in style with a cool beer on your hand. Recommended dishes include chicken massaman curry, Thai-style fried rice and spring rolls. The bar also features a pool table, TV and various choice of Western music which customers can select too.

• Opening Hours: Daily.
• Location: On the River Road, south of the town centre located close to the town Buddhist Temple and Nam Song River...
• Tel: +856 (0) 20 – 771 4291.
• Cuisine: Asian and Western food.

Organic Farm Restaurant

The Organic Farm Restaurant is a unique setup located not far from Vang Vieng. It’s a restaurant, bar, organic farm and learning centre for local kids, all in one place. The bar stocks health drinks, beers and liquor and the menu is full of interesting items. Some must-tries are the deep-fried mulberry leaves and fresh spring rolls as well as variety of BBQ dishes. All ingredients are freshly picked from their own farm. Isn’t that cool?

• Opening Hours: All year round.
• Location: Just outside Vang Vieng.
• Tel: +856 (0) 23- 511174.
• Cuisine: Real organic food.

Sala Pha Deng

Sala Pha Deng riverside restaurant has some of the most stunning views in town. Located on the banks of the Nam Song River, the restaurant has a big terrace and plenty of tables to choose from as well as a lovely wooden bar. The views of the unspoiled river and mountains are a major reason why this place is so popular.

• Opening Hours: All year round.
• Location: At a boutique hotel called the Elephant Crossing Hotel.
• Tel: +856 (0) 23-511 232.
• Cuisine: Traditional Lao and some international food.

Vang Vieng Nightlife

Vang Vieng nightlife offers drinking and lots of it. While the infamous ‘shroom special shakes’ can do the job without any help from synthetic stimulants, more experienced travellers tend to chill out with beers or drinks that they are familiar with. Many bars offer the usual extras such as darts and pool. Music is well covered from typical young western tunes to chill-out music. Most bars serve as restaurants as well and stay open until very late to welcome the ‘tubers’ that need to unwind after a long day out on the river. Expect to see many episodes of Friends on TV as, for some strange reason; a lot of bars on the town’s main street have just that on all day long. No one knows why.

Vang Vieng Shopping

Vang Vieng is not the best shopping destination in the country but visitors may find a few places that sell more than postcards to send home. The local market located north of town sells everyday goods such as fresh food and kitchenware but alongside you’ll find beautiful Lao textiles including many different types of traditional phaa sin (sarongs), ropes and hand-woven shirts. Other exotic items on sale are trays and baskets made from local materials, such as bamboo, grass and straw.

Those who have come to Vang Vieng unprepared for water sports don’t worry; you’ll find swimming suits, shorts, caps, hats and flip-flops at many shops scattered throughout town. Most of them are family-run type of businesses therefore they open quite early.

Vang Vieng Activities

Vang Vieng’s popular activities are not just limited to tubing downriver, though. There are many more pursuits to follow out here especially if you are an outdoors person. Choices of fun activities range from river kayaking to forest hiking and sightseeing this lovely area by boat. Those who are looking for more adventure and thrills will be happy to know that Vang Vieng and its surroundings are famous for having the best rock climbing in the region.

While sliding downhill (no Health & Safety regulations here…), mud sports (mud volleyball, anyone?) and rope swings are also popular among the many backpackers here, cave and cavern exploring is a highlight on the must-do list of nature enthusiasts. After a hard day, spoil yourself with a Lao massage and don’t forget to try a Lao-style steam sauna – a unique experience not to be missed.

11. Wat Mixai

Wat Mixai - the Temple of Victory

Wat Mixai, or the Temple of Victory, was built during the reign of King Sai Setthathirat (1550-1571) to celebrate the victory over the Burmese troops during the 16th century Lao-Burma war. It was renovated in the early 1900s and adopted a Central Thai style of religious architecture.

As with many Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, the name may have association with the victory of the Buddha over the distracting demon Mara who was sent to test his fortitude on the eve of his enlightenment.

With its convenient location right in the city centre of Vientiane, Wat Mixai serves the Buddhist community who congregate here four times a month, during the Buddhist days of reverence. There is a public school within the compound and it is a lively and working temple where visitors can observe monastic life led by the numerous monks, novices, worshippers, and schoolchildren.

There is a large presiding Buddha in the main, high-ceilinged hall and the imposing columns are decorated in red and gold while the mural on the ceiling depicts the lives of the Buddha. In the temple grounds there are small stupas and sculptures of mythical animals and demons.

In all, the temple seems an exact replica of the form and style of Thai temples just across the Mekhong River. No relics are buried here, nor is it steeped in history and folklore, as are other grander Vientiane temples. Nevertheless, as part of the temple tours and for observing Buddhist daily life, it is well worth a visit.

Wat Mixai

• Location: Setthathilath Road, Vientiane.
• Tel: +856 21 212155.

12. Wat Sisaket

Wat Sisaket in Vientiane

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.

Wat Si Saket is not only famous for the interior walls of the cloister but it also has beautiful architecture and layout with history dated back to 1818. Among the many interesting features there are its lovely surrounding verandas, an ornate five-tiered roof, a drum tower, a small library building with a Burmese-style roof and the flowered ceiling of the ordination hall.

Located opposite the Presidential Palace, the temple was built by Chao Anuvong, the last king of the Lan Xang Kingdom in early Bangkok-style architecture mixed with its own unique style. It survived the Siamese-Lao war of 1828 and has become the oldest Buddhist monastery in Laos.

Art enthusiasts will be thrilled to see many figurines and sculptures fashioned by highly skilled craftsmen such as the five-metre long beautiful detailed wooden naga (in Sanskrit, it means serpent deity) as well as a Khmer-style Buddha seated on a coiled naga.

Wat Sisaket

• Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 – 16:00.
• Location: On Lan Xang Road (across the street from the Presidential Palace), Vientiane.

Tours in Laos

• Vientiane - Luang Prabang - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Luang Prabang - Vientiane - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Hidden Delights of Laos - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Laos Sightseeing - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Laos Intangible Charms - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Luang Prabang - 3 Days/ 2 Nights