Set on a bend along the Mekong river, Vientiane is the capital city of Laos and is said to be one of the calmest capital cities in the world.
The town itself reflects an intriguing mixture of influences with French colonial architechture siting happily alongside gilded Asian temples. Expect to see the unexpected with fields of rice and vegetables and other agriculture hidden behind tree lined avenues.
Travel over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, built in the 1990s which crosses the Mekong river a few miles downstream of Vientiane over to Nong Khai in Thailand.
Places of Interest in Vientiane
Pha That Luang
The most important national monument in Laos, this is both a symbol of the Buddhist religion as well as a monument to Laos sovereignty.
Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park)
Meaning 'Spirit City' the Xieng Khuan is a large park scattered with Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. The central monument has three levels joined by spiral stairways, and are said to represent hell, earth and heaven.
Patuxai
The Victory Monument is situated at the north end of Lane Xang Avenue and resembles the Parisian Arc de Triomphe, however if you look closely the Lao design is revealed. A stairway leads to the top levels of the monument where the views over the city are superb.
Wat Si Saket
This temple features over 6,800 buddah images most of which are from16th-19th centuary Vientiane but a few come from 15th-16th centurary Luang Prabang. Each image is ritually cleansed at the time of the Lao new year. The temple was built in 1818 and is the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane.
Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan
Meaning temple of the Heavy Buddha, this temple is one of the most importantant in Laos. The Lao monastic order has his official residence here from where it presides over the Buddhist Institute. The 'Heavy Buddha' is made of bronze and is flanked by two standing Buddhas.
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