Great Sacred Stupa (Pha That Luang), Vientiane

Pha That Luang or Grand Stupa Vientianne We spent a couple of very wet days in Vientiane when we were in Laos and during one of the days we visited a number of stupas and temples and this was one we carried our umbrellas to visit. This is the most important national monument in Laos and so you could not really come to Vientiane and not visit this site. Initially we had to cross a huge empty square that looked a bit like a very clean car park but I assume it is used for parades and large groups of people gathering on high days and holidays. We walked across this huge empty area and on the way ... more

This is one of the major tourist attacttions in Vientiane and in its golden glory should not be missed. Make sure you take an umbrella to shield you from the fierce overhead sun/rain. The outer courtyard held an exhibition of monks paintings when we were there in 2007 - take some time to walk the whole square to take in the majesty of the building. Its massive, central golden stupa is a stark contrast to the grey monuments throughout the rest of Vientiane, although the old black stupa on a side-street roundabout is also definately worth visiting in constrast to this palace. If you want to take ... more