The capital and largest city of Laos, Vientiane is known for a laidback feel as the traveler wanders the streets and Buddhist temples. There is an obvious reverence for the spiritual throughout the city, as the ornate roofs of wats (meaning: a Buddhist monastery or temple) invite the traveler to take in the Laotian city that has remained mostly off the beaten path for the masses. Thanks to Lao Airlines for sponsoring today’s Outpost article.
Vientiane is located on a bend of the prolific Mekong River, which forms the border it shares with Thailand. It is a smaller city with big charm, from its many temples to the thousands of statues of Buddha around the city. Monks donning the classic orange kasaya are seen wandering in and out of the temples and along the streets. The most notable of those temples is the That Luang, otherwise known as the Great Stupa. The That Luang is a gold-covered Buddhist temple that is 147 feet-high and was originally built around the 3rd century. This magnificent building is the national symbol and most important monument in Laos. Walled-in and accessible by a gate, the pinnacle of this temples reaches to the heavens like a glittering antenna. It is comprised of three levels, each one representing a level within the Buddhist doctrine. Especially during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November), when the Theravada Buddhist festival is held. During this festival Monks and other Laos citizens celebrate three days of religious ceremonies, followed by a week of night and day festivities. That Luang is a legendary site that the traveler should not miss.
While That Luang is the most well-known temple, the city has many temples and attractions based on its Buddhist history. Wat Ho Phra Kaew, also located near the city centre, was built in 1565 and once held the Emerald Buddha. This jade statue of Buddha was the property of Thailand, then called Siam, and stolen by the Laotian king at the time. Though the statue was returned to Thailand, the temple remains as an architectural beauty with its classic Laotian ceilings and spires. Wat Si Saket is unique, in that it was the only temple that wholly survived the Siamese occupation of 1828. Here, the traveler will find more than 5,000 statues of the Buddha that are different sizes, shapes, and materials. This temple’s yellow pillars are a welcome site for the traveler exploring Vientiane.
Vientiane is the perfect spot for travelers looking for a less-explored area of Southeast Asia. With its obvious reverence for Buddhism in the form of ornate temples that are a near-mystical sight, to the laidback and leisurely feel of the streets – Vientiane waits for the traveler via Lao Airlines, the national airline of Laos. That has been ready to deliver the traveler to an experience that will show a different and intriguing side of the world since 1976.
