Tourist Spots in Laos

The tourist spots in Laos haven’t attained worldwide fame yet, but there are actually several landmarks and locations there worth checking out. Here are the finest attractions the country has to offer.

Buddha Park

Located 25 km southeast of Vientiane, it is known locally as Xieng Khuan. The main attractions are the sculptures. Several of them depict the Buddha while others are from Hindu myth. There are also sculptures of demons, humans and other creatures.

Haw Phra Kaew

Found along Setthathirath Road, the Haw Phra Kaew was a temple
built in the mid 1500s. Although the temple is now gone, in its place is a museum where several artifacts can be seen. There are also Buddha statues there.

The Lao National Museum

Another one of the good tourist spots in Laos is the Lao National Museum. The museum focuses on the history of the people and their struggle for freedom. Numerous documents and relics are stored as mementos to vital historical events. The museum is in Vientiane.

The Patuxai Monument

The name means Victory Gate and it is found in the heart of Vientiane. Built in 1968, the monument is a reminder of the nation’s fight for independence against the French. It is along Lan Xang Boulevard.

Pha That Luang

Set on the eastern side of Vientiane, the Pha That Luang (Great Stupa) is one of the most recognizable symbols of Laos. The stupa has three stages with each outlining a part of Buddhist philosophy and belief. The stupa is 147 ft high.

Wat Si Saket

One of the more interesting tourist spots in Laos is Wat Si Saket. It is a Buddhist wat built sometime in 1818. It has an elaborately designed roof and a terrace around it. According to archaeologists, it is quite possibly the oldest surviving temple in the country.

Wat Si Muang

This is another Buddhist temple in Vientiane. The structure was
constructed above an old Hindu temple. Apart from the structure, a statue of King Sisavang Vong can be seen here.

Haw Kham

Also known as the Royal Palace, the edifice was built in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong. After the Communist revolution, the palace was turned into a museum. There are other edifices in the area including the Royal Barge Shelter and the Conference Hall.

Champasak Provincial Museum

One of the most admired tourist spots in Laos, the museum contains artifacts and documents related to the province’s culture and history. Musical instruments, jewelry and ethnic clothing are also on display. Also noteworthy is a jar dating c. 11th or 12th century.

Plain of Jars

The Plain of Jars refers to the entire Xieng Khouang plain located at the Laos Highlands. The sites number 400 in total, with some extending to neighboring Thailand.

The jars are made of sandstone and sometimes granite. They are 3 to 10 ft high and weigh up to 13 tons. There are also stone carvings in the area. Who constructed the jars and why is still unknown.

These tourist spots in Laos are fascinating to behold. As visitors will attest to, there are even more interesting things to see and do once in the country.