Laos may be on the list of poorest Southeast Asian countries but it has a wealth of natural and cultural attractions. As with any Buddhist nation, its key tourist spots are temples. Believe it or not, its top attractions are concentrated in two major cities – Vientane and Luang Pabrang. With that said you can explore all of them in a matter of days. Listed below are the seven most popular tourist spots in Laos.
Ho Phra Keo
The temple is undeniably one of the most stunning sights in Vientane. Inside are differently styled sculptures of Buddha, stone inscriptions, and chiselled images of Khmer deities. The main attraction within Ho Phra Keo is the lacquer door with carvings of Hindu images. It dates all the way back to the 16th century.
Ho Phra Keo Vientiane, Laos
Talat Sao
Also in Vientane, Talat Sao is a morning market featuring indoor and outdoor bazaars. It is the best place to visit for shopping souvenirs. Most indoor stores sell imported products but a few of them sell local handicrafts, souvenir shirts, jewelry, and gold and silverworks. Outside, perishable items like fruits and confectionaries are sold by vendors.
That Luang
It is a sacred monument built in 1556 at the city of Vientane. Standing proudly at 147 feet, the golden stupa is revered as the country’s most important cultural symbol. That Luang symbolizes the unity of the Lao people. This explains why it’s on our list of top reasons to visit Laos.
XIeng Khuan Buddha Park
Luang Pa Bunleua Sulilat was a monk who wanted a world religion that embraced all faiths. On 1958, his followers built the park and laid out Buddhist and Hindu sculptures across the garden. It is a peaceful escape from the city filled with flower gardens, shrubs, and trees. It is found in Vientane along the baks of Mekong.
Buddha Park, also known as Wat Xieng Khuan
Royal Palace
Sitting on the foot of Phu Si Hill is the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace was built in the early 20thcentury and served as a home to the royal Savang clan. But in 1975, Pathet Lao took over Laos and exiled remaining members of the royal family. Despite the exile of Savang clan and the palace’s transformation into a museum, Royal Palace still has the feel of a family home.
Most rooms of the Royal Palace are surprisingly small. The largest of which is the Throne Room decorated with mosaic walls, royal regalia, gold furniture, rare Buddha images, and priceless artifacts. Other rooms in the palace are also elaborately decorated. The top attraction in the Royal Palace Museum is Pha Bang. It is a golden Buddha which measures 3 feet tall and weighs a little more than a hundred pounds. Its roots can be traced to the 1st century.
Phu Si Hill
Numerous temples and shrines are built on this hill in Luang Prabang. From its peak, you also get a panoramic view of the city and nearby rivers. Sunsets are exponentially beautiful when viewed from the top of Phu Si Hill but the view is great any time of the day.
Wat Xieng Thong
The site is a temple complex consisting of ancient buildings built around 1559 to 1560. The main temple is one of the last remaining structures which survived centuries of attacks by the Chinese, Siamese, and Vietnamese armies. It has some of the best-preserved Buddhist art and architecture throughout Laos. From façade to murals, the main temple has an elaborate design
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