• By Naomi

1. Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang has the meaning of “The Great Stupa”

Pha That Luang, located in the capital Vientiane, has the meaning of “The Great Stupa”. Like its name, it is one of the most iconic and well-known religious sites in the country and can be seen as one of the national symbols as it is depicted in the country’s emblem.

Pha That Luang - The most beautiful symbol of Laos

This Buddhist establishment has a history that goes way back to the third century. The original one was built to enshrine the Buddha’s relic. The one that we have today is believe to be a reconstruction from the 16th century. However, it went through another destruction during the Lao–Siamese War. Only until the time of colonization of France, Pha That Luang was rebuilt to its past glory.

The main worship ground has a feeling of a stronghold with three floors which can be depicted as each state of enlightenment. Furthermore, along the small stupas surrounding, you can find a large number of Buddha Images, small domes and statues of Naga snakes protecting on the steps and the throne of King Jayavarman VII.

If visit in November, you can have the opportunity to attend the Pha That Luang Festival. This festival happens in the full moon in the twelfth month.

• Opening hours: 8 AM - 4PM
• Entrance fee: 5000 Kip per person

2. Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most gorgeous temple of Laos

Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most gorgeous temple of Laos in the UNESCO Town of Luang Prabang. The building was first constructed in the 16th century under the king of Setthathirah. After a long time, the temple was damage gradually by age and war until its redesign in the 60s.

As you can see now, Wat Xieng Thong still retains the works from the original form with the wavy stacked roof and the interior are full of colorful murals and carvings. The walls and roof inside are gilt to perfection next to the ancient Buddha image and the mythical beasts. One of the best highlight that forever imprints into the visitors’ minds is the tree of life mosaic on the western façade of the temple. 

• Opening Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM
• Entrance fee: 20,000 Kip per Person

3. Wat Phou

Wat Phou is a place of worship for Hinduists

This temple is different from others as it isn’t dedicated to Buddha. Wat Phou or Wat Phu was built by a Khmer architect and it is a place of worship for Hinduists. The temple has a scenic location by the foot of a hill and it has situated here for centuries. Therefore, it has a rich history and cultural value among the locals not exclusively to the Hinduist. In fact, it is believed that Wat Phou was built even before the renowned Angkor Complex in Cambodia.

This ancient temple has a famous festival named Boun Wat Phou or Wat Phou Festival takes place in February in the third full moon of the year. There are many traditional ceremonies happens during the festival including festive dancing and music performances. On the last day of this 3-day festival, the main Tak Bat event will happen where thousands of monks and pilgrims gather.

• Opening Hours: 8 AM - 4:30 PM
• Entrance Fee: 35,000 kip per person for 1-day visiting

4. Wat Si Saket

Wat Si Saket is one of the oldest monastery in Vientiane

Wat Si Saket is one of the oldest monastery in Vientiane and generally in the country. First built in 1820, the structure went through a restoration in the 1930’s to its old glory. The draped roof and warm-toned wall, it has welcomed millions of visitors annually for its history and culture significance. Around and inside the building you can find other ten of thousands images of Buddha, Naga (mythical snakes) and gorgeous patterns.

• Opening hours: 8 AM - 4 PM
• Entrance fee: 5000 Kip per person

5. Haw Phra Kaew

Wat Si Saket was constructed by King Setthathirat

Another temple that will be worth your time is the Haw Phra Kaew or as some call it Ho Phra Keo. Share the same city as the Wat Si Saket, the temple was constructed by King Setthathirat as the worship place for the royal family. This temple also house the Emerald Buddha originated from Thailand and moved to Laos in 1778 until today.

The surrounding greenery also impressive visitors for its lushness and colorful flowers. The handrails on the steps to the temple are carve in the shape of Naga snakes. Like other temples, the various Buddha statues, wood detailing and sacred Buddhism scripts will surely fascinate you.

• Opening Hours: 8AM – 12AM & 1PM – 4PM
• Entrance fee: 5000 Kip per person

6. Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham is a five-tiered-roof temple near the Mount Phou Si

This is one of the temples in the country that take a different approach to the Buddhism architecture. Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham is a five-tiered-roof temple near the Mount Phou Si. Inside the temple there are various murals and painting conveying the local of the people, the journey of the Buddha and the local festival where people dancing and rowing on the Mekong river. 

• Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
• Entrance fee: 10,000 kip per person

7. Pak Ou Caves

Pak Ou Caves in Laos

Another one of the highlight that is featured in a lot of the cruise is the faous Pak Ou Caves. There are good reasons that it shows up a lot in many of the cruises’ itinerary, one is that it is located 25 km from Luang Prabang upstream and the second is that it is home thousands of Buddha images in all shapes and sizes inside the cliff mouth by the river. 

The caves can be accessed by road or by boat. However most prefer to reach there by boat as you can combine a trip along the river.

• Opening hours: 8AM - 5PM
• Entrance fee: 20,000 Kip 

There are thousands of Buddha statues and images of all sizes in Pak Ou Caves. 

8. Budda Park

Buddha Park is one of the more extraordinary sites in Vientiane

Wat Xieng Khuan, known by most as Buddha Park is one of the more extraordinary sites in Vientiane. It takes around 40 minute of driving from the city center to the southeast by car. This open park while also being a worshiping ground, it has a more abstract design with 200 statues of both Buddhism and Hinduism figures.

Like mentioned above, despite it being named Buddha Park, it is not dedicated exclusively to Buddhism. There is also a status of Indra (a hindu god) and a 2-headed elephant and a 4-armed deity riding a horse. This site shows the harmony and blend of the culture in the country.

• Opening Hours: 8Am - 5PM
• Entrance Fee:15,000 Kip.
• Cameras cost an additional 3,000 Lao kip

9. Wat Aham

Wat Aham possesses an important role in the country Buddism

In spite of the small size, Wat Aham still possesses an important role in the country Buddism. This temple is next to the Wat Wisunalat, a gilt temple and both are connected through a gateway.

Some locals call it “The Monastery of the Blossoming Heart” as it is the gathering place for the practitioner meet, meditate and discuss the teachings of the Buddha. 

• Opening hours: daily from 8AM - 5PM.
• Entrance fee: 5,000 Kip (about US$ 0.65) per person.

10. Wat Si Muang

Wait Si Muang is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane

Wait Si Muang or Simoung is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane. It welcomes many visits from the Laos people as well as foreign alike due to its colorful exterior. Especially, entry to the temple is completely free so you can pop in to visit without any thought.

• Opening hours: daily from 6AM - 7PM
• Entrance fee: Free

Get the chance to enrich your life with the magical visits to these spiritual temples, while completely immerse yourself in the cruise life. You will find Zen in this seemingly isolated land from the world.