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Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is more than a pit stop.
With its Buddhist heritage and raffish charm, this city is a worthwhile addition to any voyage through Laos.
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The most significant monument in Vientiane and a national symbol.
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It was designed like a big pyramid with a gourd-shaped spire reaching 45 m in height. All was covered in shimmering gold leaf.
The monument is surrounded by a cloister that has now been turned into a gallery.
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Originally erected as a royal chapel, it once housed the sacred Emerald Buddha statue.
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The temple was destroyed in 1828; only the ornate wooden doors survived. It was rebuilt in the 1930s and is now a museum of antique and religious art.
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The only temple in Vientiane that survived the Siamese invasion of 1828.
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This temple has a Bangkok-style architecture, featuring a five-tiered gable roof and a cloister surrounding the ordination hall.
Best known for its collection of nearly 7,000 Buddha statues crafted between the 16th and 19th centuries.
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A memorial gateway built to commemorate Laos' independence from France.
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Traditional elements are fused into this Western-style structure, including arched doorways, ornate towers, and the blue ceiling adorned with deities.
The gilded spire of Patuxai, decorated with Buddha faces.
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