While on my visa run to Vientiane, Laos I was able to spend some time exploring the town and one of my favorite places turned out to be Wat Pha That Luang. Situated about 3 miles from the city center, Wat Pha That Luang stands as a beautiful testament to time. Originally in the 3rd century Indian missionaries built a temple on this spot that was replaced in the 13th century with a Khmer temple. In the 16th century the golden spires or stupa rose up to be as it is seen today.
We were fortunate to visit the temple when we did as a large festival was taking place attended by many Lao dignitaries and monks from around the country. This Wat is truly a sight to behold and makes for a great afternoon of sight seeing in Vientiane.
More Great Thailand Tales:
Living Like a Thai Day 8: Going AWOL
Living Like a Thai Days 21 & 22: Aircon Down Pigs Cooking
And The Thai for Beginners iPhone App Winners Are...
Blog Post RSS
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paul Garrigan, Talen. Talen said: Wat Pha That Luang Vientiane, Laos http://goo.gl/fb/Wo4HB [...]
Beautiful Photos.
What a beautiful Wat Talen. And am I correct in assuming that the grounds were taken care of at a higher level than we usually get in Thailand? Or is it your photography?
Catherine recently posted..November- Look Who’s Talking About Learning Thai
Cat, the grounds were immaculate but there were 2 reasons for that. The festival taking place and all manner of Lao dignitaries present and the fact that this is the main wat in Vientianne and draws quite a few people.
In the coming weeks I’ll be doing a post on the festival and even the grounds where all the merchants and food stalls were was very clean.
Talen, some great photographs, looks a good place to visit. I take it that the term “wat” is used as in a Thai temple?
Mike recently posted..Cabbages and Condoms
Mike, Thanks. Yes, the Lao as well as Thai’s and Khmer all refer to Buddhist temples as Wats.