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That Luang (Royal Stupa)City/Region: Vientiane
The Royal Stupa is a symbol of Buddhism and Lao rule and is Laos' most important religious building. The dazzling golden temple and its spire are visible from afar and locals claim that if you have not visited That Luang, you have not visited Laos. The base of the stupa has walkways and stairs connecting the different levels, designed for the faithful to climb. Each level has different architectural features pertaining to Buddhist doctrine. Worshippers stick balls of sticky rice
to the walls as a mark of respect to the spirit of King Setthathirat, who built the shrine in 1566 and whose statue stands in front of the temple. The effects of the setting sun on its golden surface are stunning.
Xiang Khouan (Buddha Park)City/Region: Vientiane
The site known as Buddha Park is a bizarre collection of Buddhist and Hindu statues scattered around a riverside meadow, dominated by a gigantic reclining Buddha. Hundreds of huge concrete structures that combine Buddhist and Hindu philosophies are spread around representing a variety of deity forms. Fashioned by a purported holy man, the sculpture park was created to spread his beliefs and to reveal to mankind his ideas about the universe.
Address: 15 miles (24km) south of Vientiane
Transport: Bus 14 from Vientiane's main station
Royal Palace (Haw Kham)City/Region: Luang Prabang
The former Royal Palace, a mixture of French and Lao architecture, is now a museum preserving the possessions of the monarchy. Above the entrance is a three-headed elephant sheltered by the sacred white parasol, the symbol of the Lao monarchy. The most impressive room is the Throne Hall, a dazzling interior of mosaics and mirrors, with displays of royal regalia including glittering swords and the king's own elephant saddle. The museum's most prized possession, the Pha Bang, a golden Buddha image, is housed in a small barred room that was the king's personal shrine. It is the most sacred image in the country, believed to have been crafted in the heavens, and containing miraculous powers of protection over the country.
Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple)City/Region: Luang Prabang
The most enchanting monastery in the country is the magnificent Golden City Temple at the tip of the peninsula. The graceful, sweeping tiled roof of the main temple is its most impressive feature and the walls are decorated with stencilled gold designs depicting many different traditional tales and, at the rear, a splendid colored glass mosaic illustrating the 'tree of life'. In the peaceful atmosphere of the compound garden are several shelters, housing rare Buddha images and the gilded royal funerary carriage.
Plain of JarsCity/Region: Luang Prabang
The mysterious Plain of Jars in the Xiang Khouang province is an unusual sight. Hundreds of huge solid stone jars lie scattered about the landscape, some weighing up to six tons and about 6ft (2m) in length. They are believed to be over 2,000 years of age, although their origin or function is unknown. Numerous theories and legends have been fashioned - one such legend states that they were made to ferment rice wine to celebrate a victorious battle against a wicked chieftain in the 6th century, some theories claim they were used as sarcophagi, or funerary urns. They are divided into five major groups, with Thong Hai, or Site 1, the largest and most easily accessible site. The jars lie amid thousands of unexploded mines left behind by the war, and as a result only Sites 1, 2 and 3 are open to visitors; the rest are considered too dangerous and visitors should heed warning signs.
Transport: The site is situated several kilometers south east of Phonsavan, a 30-minute flight from Luang Prabang. From Phonsavan, travelers can take a three-wheel taxi to the site
Vang ViengCity/Region: Vientiane
The small, laid back town of Vang Vieng is spectacularly situated on a bend of the Nam Song river, surrounded by green agricultural fields, friendly Hmong and Yao ethnic minority villages and mountains that hold fascinating limestone caves. The caves are the main attraction and several guesthouses organize guides to explore them, some combining caving with a meal in a local village, and a float down the river on huge tractor tubes. It is also possible to hire bicycles to explore the area and surrounding villages. The cave of Tham Phou Kham, set in the limestone cliff, contains a bronze Buddha inside the main cavern. To get there is part of the enjoyment, with river crossings on precarious bamboo footbridges, past rural villages and between shimmering rice fields, surrounded by exquisite scenery of fresh and vivid colors. The cave of Tham Pha Thao is for the more adventurous and involves wading through a deep subterranean stream past enormous stalactites and stalagmites. Vang Vieng is an ideal stop off point on the Vientiane-Luang Prabang route, combining shy but friendly people, a beautiful rural setting and enjoyable activities.
Transport: Local and tourist buses travel from Vientiane (3-4 hours)
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