Places of Interest

Wat Phu

Wat Phu means mountain temple and is a Khmer styled temple that dates back to the 5th century.  The original temple was built by the Khmer Hindus at the top of a hill at the site of a fresh water spring.  The peak of the hill is said to resemble a lingum or Shiva Phallus.  The exact history of Wat Phu is unclear, but was certainly the site of a temple of the Khmer empire that eventually made Ankor Wat its capital.   The temple is stunning, and very remote, with superb views of the Mekong valley.  At the top of the temple site are a number of carved rocks, resembling a crocodile, a naga and an elephant.  It is believed that these rocks were used for human sacrifice. There is a museum at the base of Wat Phu and provides excellent insight into the museum.

Bolaven Plataeu

Situated on the north east of Champassak province, the plateau covers parts of Salavan, Attapeu and Sekong provinces although there are more options for tourists visiting the plateau in Pakse. The plateau is fertile farmland specialising in coffee, tea, cardamom and fruit.  The plateau houses a dozen mainly animist ethnic minorities, including Laven, Alak, Katou, Ta-Oy, Houne, Ngai and Suk communities.  Accomodation on the plateau is limited, but Tad Lo waterfalls has a number of bungalows where you can enjoy trekking and elephant rides.

That Luang

Pha That Luang in Lao means Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa. Legend has it that Ashokan missionaries from India erected a reliquary stupa in its original location to hose a breastbone of the Bhudda as early as the 3rd century BC, but there has been no evidence to support this. The earliest physical remains of a religious structure on this site, however, seem to date from a Khmer monastery around the 12th century.

In the mid-16th century King Setthathirat moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane and ordered construction of That Luang. Construction began in 1566 AD with four wats built around the stupa, one on each side. Today only two remain Wat That Luang Neua (which means north side Wat) and Wat That Luang Neua (south side).

The monument is a bright golden missile like cluster which presents an awe inspiring view when travelling towards it, especially on a bright sunny day against the backdrop of a blue sky. It appears to be constructed entirely of gold with its shiny surfaces extending upwards. You can walk around the structure by yourself to contemplate the Bhuddist doctrines. There are three levels, each conveying a reflection of part of the Buddhist doctrine. Visitors are supposed to contemplate the meaning of the doctrines as they walk around. The first level is a square base measuring 68m by 69m that supports 323 ordination stones called sima. The second level is 48m by 48m and is surrounded by 120 lotus peals. There are 288 simas on this level as well as 30 small stupas symbolising the 30 Bhuddist perfections, beginning with alms-giving and ending with equanimity. The stupas at one time contained smaller gold stupas and gold leaves, but these were taken by Chinese bandits while That Luang was abandoned in the 19th century.

That Luang was severely damaged in the 18th and 19th century by invading Burmese and Siamese armies. During a Siamese invasion in 1828, Vientiane was ransacked and depopulated to such an extent that That Luang remained abandoned until it was badly restored under the French rule in 1900. Between 1931 and 1935 a French university department reconstructed That Luang to its current form.
Pha That Luang is about 4km north-east of the centre of Vientiane at the en of Thanon That Luang. Facing the compound is a statue of King Setthathirat. The temple is the site of a major festival in early November. It is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 to 11.30am and 2 to 4.30pm, closed on Monday and public holidays. Admission fee is 500kip per person.