Touring Temples In Vientiane
With over 65% of the Laotian population being Buddhists, and approximately 5000 temples throughout the country, there are a lot of places to worship in the landlocked Southeast Asian country.
Among the numerous temples in Laos, the capital city of Vientiane has some of the countries most iconic worshipping sites, including Pha That Luang, which is also the national symbol.
It was our first time in Vientiane and we only had a few days, but we saw quite a lot. Here are a few of our favorites we saw during our stay.
Wat Si Saket
The first temple we toured was Wat Si Saket, and it set the bar pretty high. Built in 1818, and featuring an ornate five-tiered roof with a generous surrounding terrace, there are a few things that really stand out at this temple.
First is the Sim, which houses one of the coolest Buddha images we have ever seen. Peeking into the Sim, it feels like you’re looking into an amazing picture box. The scale of the room, the design, the colors, the Buddha, it really is a sight to see.
The second part of the temple that leaves a lasting memory is the Buddha galleries, where rows of over 2000 Buddha images sit side by side from wall to wall.
Wat Si Saket also has a museum that is part of the Temple, and takes you through the history from the time it was built by King Anouvong, and how it fared after the King’s rebellion, when Vientiane was taken over by the armies of Siam.
Haw Phra Kaew
Right across the street from Wat Si Saket you will find Haw Phra Kaew. The stunning grounds of Haw Phra Kaew, which are immaculately landscaped, is the first thing you will notice about the temple. The sim is also remarkable, but it is obvious it is much younger than it’s neighboring temples.
Haw Phra Kaew was originally built in the mid 16th century by King Setthathirath when he moved the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom to Vientiane. The temple was for the royal family, and to house the Emerald Buddha, which was later taken to Thailand.
The original temple was destroyed in 1827 when the Siamese armies invaded Vientiane. The current temple dates from 1942, and is definitely worth visiting.
Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang, which means Great Stupa, is the iconic gold-covered temple that is a national symbol for Laos. Walking up to Pha That Luang, the immense size of the structure, and distinct features of the temple, really blew us away.
Dating back to the 3rd century, the temple has gone through many renovations and restorations over the years, the most current being in the 1930’s. Currently, the temple is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites tentative list, likely to be on the permanent list someday soon.
Vientiene’s Arc de Triumphe
Located just a short walk down Lane Xang Avenue from Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew Temples, is Patuxai. A monument to honor the Laotians who fought for the country’s independence from France, the monument was completed in 1968, and sits in Patuxai Park in the heart of Vientiane.
Because of it’s shape, the monument is also referred to as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane, but there are major differences. The design of Patuxai, which essentially translates to Victory Gate, is more vertical than the Arc de Triomphe, and it has a Laotian design with ornate details and temple like structures on the top.
The park is beautifully landscaped, perfectly showcasing the central monument. There is also a huge roundabout that circles around Patuxai, which is a lot of fun to drive in an open-air tuk-tuk.
Getting Around Vientiene
Vientiane is very easy to navigate and get around. The airport is a 15-20 minute ride to the heart of the city, and it’s very walkable to the riverfront promenade, the night markets, and numerous temples and museums. For sights to see that are further out, you can take a taxi, book a tour, or hop on a tuk-tuk.
The Tuk-tuk is the less expensive option, but you will need to negotiate a bit to get the best price. Depending on how far you are going, always ask the hotel or host you are staying with what you should be paying prior to negotiating on the street. This will give you a good idea what your trying to get down to while bartering with the driver.