Best Places to Visit in Vientiane

Vientiane is located on the Mekong River in southern Laos and is a famous tourist city in the country. Vientiane is a wonderful place for tourists to relax since there're stunning Buddhist art, elegant temples and beautiful gardens. The following are the best places to visit in Vientiane, and we hope you will enjoy your trip in Vientiane!

Wat Si Saket

• Location: Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane 0100, Laos
• Reasons to Visit: The oldest temple in Vientiane, typical Khmer character of the Theravada courtyard
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Opening Hours: 08:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
   

Wat Sisaket, built in 1818 by King Arnovan, is the oldest temple in Vientiane. The temple is built in the Siamese style, with high spires and high-walled corridors characteristic of Khmer. Until the coconut palm and banana tree of the courtyard become luxuriant foliage, which shows the dense tropical amorous feelings.

Pha That Luang

• Location: Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane, Laos
• Reason to Visit: The oldest temple in Vientiane, typical Khmer character of the Theravada courtyard
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Opening Hours: 08:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
   

Pha That Luang is located to the north of the capital city of Vientiane and 5 kilometers away from the city. It was originally a part of the Huatarluang Temple.

Pha That Luang, built in 1556, is the most magnificent pagodas in Laos. The pagoda is covered with real gold. Even on cloudy days, the pagoda can be seen from a distance. The pagoda is said to contain the hair and bones of Sakyamuni, the Buddha. The base of the main tower is also square, with a worship booth in each orientation, 30 towers on the second floor, and a tower covered in gold foil on the third. The base of the pagoda is designed to allow the faithful to climb, with passageways and stairs at each level. Each side of the corridor is 85 meters long and houses a variety of Buddha statues.

Wat Haw Pha Kaew

• Location: Setthathirath Road, Vientiane, Laos
• Reason to Visit: One of the oldest temples in Laos; grand vicissitudes; a lot of Buddha statues and other collections
• Entrance Fee: 5,000Kip
• Opening Hours: 08:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
• Special Tip: Cameras are not allowed in the main hall.

Wat Haw Pha Kaew, or Jade Buddha Temple is located in the Vientiane city Setatila Street. The Wat Phra Keo or Emerald Buddha Temple, built in 1565 AD, was a royal Temple built by King Settatirat to honor the jasper Buddha statues brought from Luang Prabang. The temple is a three-story ornate building with a deep hall and a huge altar. The Phra Sihing Buddha is the Buddha to which all the countries on the Indochina Peninsula pay attention, has always been a symbol of the control of the dominant monarch.

The Jade Buddha in the temple has been in Laos for 218 years. The Jade Buddha temple was burned down by the invaders in 1828 and rebuilt in 1942. The main hall of the Jade Buddha temple has a sense of vicissitudes, but it is still very grand, the corridors are tall columns, there're many Buddha inside. The doors of the main hall are decorated with intricate rococo carvings, and there are many Buddhist stories in relief on the walls. The main hall contains a great collection of Laotian treasures, including a gold throne for the king and Khmer statues. There are gold, jade, crystal Buddha statues in various shapes and sizes, as well as various wood and door carvings.

Patuxay Monument

• Location: P.D Road, Vientiane, Laos
• Reason to Visit: The landmark of Vientiane; surrounded by many famous scenic spots
• Entrance Fee: 3,000Kip
• Opening Hours: 08:00-16:30(Weekdays) 08:00-17:00(Weekend)

The Victory Monument in Vientiane, located in the center of the city, was built to commemorate the liberation and independence of the Lao people.

Although it looks similar to the Arc DE Triomphe in France from a distance and also connects the busiest streets, its scale is relatively small, and it is carved with figures of Buddha and mythological stories. There're seven floors, the first to the fourth floor are indoor section, there're souvenir shops on third and fourth; the fifth and sixth floors are outdoor section, with a view of the city; the seventh floor is also an interior, with a very small space to look out from the Windows and a very interesting window frame design.

In front of the Victory Monument, there is a music fountain plaza built with Chinese assistance. The fountain will open regularly.