Pha That Luang

ພຣະທາດຫຼວງ

Laos’ national symbol and most sacred stupa, its golden spire about 45 m tall and featured on the national emblem and banknotes. It is the first must-see in Vientiane.

That Luang (the Great Golden Stupa) is said to have been first built in the 3rd century to enshrine relics of the Buddha. The present structure was built in 1566, when King Setthathirath of the Lan Xang Kingdom moved the capital to Vientiane. It was damaged by Siamese forces in the 19th century and rebuilt to its original form in the 1930s. The main stupa stands about 45 m tall. Its base symbolizes the earth, the middle tier is shaped like lotus petals, and the top is a bud-shaped spire, all covered in gold leaf. Thirty small stupas and a cloister surround it, housing ancient Buddha images. In front of the stupa stands a statue of King Setthathirath. The northern and southern temples nearby (the southern one houses a huge reclining Buddha) are also worth a visit. Every year at the November full moon (the twelfth month of the Buddhist calendar), the That Luang Festival takes place. Monks and believers from across the country gather for dawn almsgiving and candlelit processions, making it Laos’ most grand festival. Admission for foreigners is about 30,000 kip (confirm on site). Getting there: it is about 4 km from the old town, on the same avenue as Patuxai. A tuk-tuk or Grab takes about 10 minutes. Notes: wear long trousers or a long skirt and cover your shoulders. The square has no shade at midday, so visit early in the morning.

Pha That Luang

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