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Laos
Destinations |
Luang
Prabang:
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Royal Palace:
Built in 1904 during the
French colonial era for King Sasavang Vong and his family, this museum houses a wonderful collection of objects
of arts, costumes from the Royal Theater, jewelry including
the famous Prabang Buddha statue, and gifts received from
foreign dignitaries.
Wat Visoun:
This 16th century temple
served as a small mueseum for religious artifacts.
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Window in Luang Prabang
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Wat Xieng Thong:
The most significant temple in
Luang Prabang, built by King Saisetthathirat in 1560. It
reflects the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture
with roofs that sweep low to the ground.
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Baci ceremony
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Wat Mai:
Shelters the Buddha, known as
Prabang, the city's namesake. Known as the nation's
protector, this Buddha was made in Ceylon in 874 A.D. and
is believed to hold the five posessions of the original
Buddha on its forehead, chin, chest, and arms.
Wat That Laung:
Built in 1818 under the reign
of King Manthatulat. Legend has it that this temple was
originally established by Ashokan missionaries from India
in the 3rd century B.C.
Wat Aham:
An early 19th century temple,
whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps
represent two characters from the Ramayana - Hanuman, the
Monkey God, and a fierce Yaksa. |
Phousy Hill:
Walk up the 328 steps to the
summit of Phousi Hill that dominates the 'skyline' of Luang
Prabang - overlooking a fine panorama of Luang Prabang!
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Pakbeng:
It is a 'stop-over' to Luang
Prabang or to Houei Say when you arrive or leave Laos.
Over 600 wooden houses sit along a steep hill. There is a
lively market where local villagers from the surrounding
ethnic villages come to exchange their goods. If time
permits just visit
Wat Sin Jong Jaeng,
which dates back to late 19th
century - inside there are Buddha images of various ages.
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Mekong
River at Pakbeng
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Pak
Oo:
Is about 25 km by boat
from Luang Prabang, built into the rocky walls of a
sandstone mountain and the home of one thousand Buddhas! The Buddha statues here are allegedly more than
300 years old. It is believed by the locals of Luang
Prabang that many good-natured spirits reside in these
caves and they were also visited annually by the King when
Laos was a monarchy. There is also a small Royal Cave Wat
nearby.
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Pak Oo Cave
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Plain
of Jars:
The 3 Sites:
Situated on a high plateau with
grasses and scrubby trees, this area is dotted with more
than a hundred large stone jars. Legend has it as well
that these stone jars were cups used by a race of Kha
giants to drink alcohol. There are 3 sites to be vistied.
Site 1, also called 'Thong Hai Hin', site 2, which is 'Hai Hin Phu Salato' and, last not least, site 3, which is
'Hai Hin Laat Khai'.
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Plain of Jars
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Sam
Neua:
It can be reached by road and
sometimes there are flights... Sam Neua is tucked away in a
long narrow valley and the steep road winds through a
brilliant evergreen pine-forest, passing through numerous
remote traditional Lao, Blue Hmong and Khamu villages.
Around
Sam Neua:
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My
favourite place: Our friends in Samnuea and lots of weaving...
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Vieng Xail:
A 24 km drive from Sam Neua
will bring you to the remote caves which were the former
headquarters and home of the Pathet Lao (PL) revolutionaries of the Indochina War in Vieng
Xail. Known
as 'Walled City of Victory', the caves sit in a striking
valley of verdent hills and limestone cliffs.
Tham Thaan Kaystone,
the cave office and residence
of the PL chief.
Tham Than
Souphanouvong,
the cave which housed the
Royal Prince and
Tham Thaan Khamtay,
the cave named after the
current President of Laos.
Vientiane:
Wat Sisaket:
The oldest temple to have been
survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister
contains more than 8,000 Buddha statues.
Wat Ho Pra Keow:
The former home temple of the Emerald Buddha statue of Pra
Keow, today it contains a collection of Buddha
statues,
antiques and all artrifacts found in around Vientiane.
That Luang Stupa:
The single most important
monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original
small stupa, it contains a piece of the Buddha's chest
bone.
Patouxay (Arc de Triumph):
It was built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the
past and is today the landmark of Vientiane. |
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Weaver at Carol Cassidy's |
Carol Cassidy:
No visit is complete without having seen
the Laos Textile Gallery owned by Ms. Carol Cassidy...
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Ben Nakang:
This dense and beautiful forest setting covers 70% of the Khammouane Province,
which is the 5th largest province of Laos. Extensive areas,
still untouched by man, shelter many species of plants and
wildlife, such as monkeys, birds, elephants and cattle.
In the rivers of the limestone forests that are found here
swim hundreds of different species of fish, some of which
have only been recently discovered.
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Ben Nakang
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Savannakhet:
That In Hang:
A most venerated stupa and temple which houses a
hollow chamber with a distinguished collection of
Buddha images.
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Champassak |
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Wat Sayaphoum:
The main temple of
Savannakhet and located in the town's center where all the
important families of the city give their alms and build
their stupas.
Dinosaur Museum:
Houses the skeleton of a
Dinosaur which was found recently in this region!
Champassak:
Champassak Historical Heritage & Ethnology Mueseum:
It's small - BUT excellent!
Wat Phu:
This site was sacred to the pre-Angkor kingdom from
the 9th to the 13th century and may have been the
site of human sacrifices. |
Nested in a jungle setting, this
ethereal Khmer mountain temple predates Angkor Wat
by 200 years and consists of exquisitely carved pavillions
and a tranquil sanctuary at the top where a sacred spring
flows. |
© 2004
Myriam Grest Thein |
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