Golden stupa
Lotus-bud spires.
Benh LIEU SONG — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jakub Hałun — CC BY-SA 4.0
The great golden stupa that is the national symbol of Laos, shown on the state seal and banknotes, and the country's holiest monument. Tradition places the first building here centuries ago; kings rebuilt it several times after invasions, most recently in the 1930s. The stupa rises in three stepped tiers ringed by small gilded lotus-bud spires, its golden tip about 45 metres high, inside a square cloister with high walls. Its gold changes with the light, glowing warm at sunset. In front lies a broad square with a statue of King Setthathirath, who moved the capital to Vientiane in the 16th century, and on either side stand two large temples with tiered Lao roofs. On the full-moon night of November it hosts the country's largest religious festival, drawing people from all over Laos. A small fee at the entrance; sources differ on the amount. Temples are living places of worship: cover shoulders and knees and take off shoes before entering halls. March to May is very hot, so early morning or late afternoon is best.
Lotus-bud spires.
High walls.
Full moon.
That Luang Road, north-east of central Vientiane
It is Laos' holiest monument and national symbol, on the state seal and banknotes, with the biggest religious festival in November.
