"LAND OF A MILLION
ELEPHANTS"
The Lao People's Democratic Republic
is located in the centre of the Indochina Peninsula. The country borders on the east with
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to the south with Cambodia, to the west with Thailand
and to the northwest and north with Myanmar and China respectively. Laos covers an area of
236.800 sq km. Although land-locked the mighty Mekong River runs through the country and
nourishes the lands for cultivation and also acts as a major transportation route.
The country is mainly mountainous and covered with thick forest, and is also rich
in natural resources, especially iron, lead and gold.
The population of Laos is estimated at around 4.5 million, which is one of the
lowest population densities in the region. Vientiane, the capital, has a population of
just over 300,000.
The people of Laos are ethnically diverse; there are over 60 ethnic groups
scattered around the country. The varying linguistic and cultural differences are
classified in three groups: the Lao Loam, who consist of over 50% of the population,
reside in the lowlands and along the Mekong river valley; the Lao Thing, who live on the
mountain slopes and the Lao Sung who live in the high mountainous areas.
VIENTIANE
Vientiane, the capital and
largest city in Laos, is located along the Mekong River. The city has many fine buildings
dedicated to Buddhism that reflect the peoples strong belief in the religion. The city
also has many buildings built during the French colonial days. The city is small in
comparison to the other capitals in the region, and for the time being at least is
devoid of the heavy construction work that is the eye-sore of many a place. Although
bustling with an ever increasing number of motor vehicles taking to the roads, there is
always a quiet pleasant spot along the river bank where you can enjoy the silence, the
sunset and if you like, a cool refreshing bottle of Beer Lao.
Places of
Attractions
Wat Si Saket
This is the oldest monastery in Vientiane, dating
back to 1818, when it was built by King Chao Anou. Although the city was sacked by
the Thai's in 1828, the temple remained undamaged as it was built in a Thai style. The
centre courtyard contains hundreds of sitting Buddha images as well as thousands of small
amulets set into the wall.
Wat Pha Kaew
This temple, built during the 16th century, was
formerly the royal monastery. The temple is renowned for being one of the places that have
enshrined the Emerald Buddha, which has resided in Wat Phra Kaew in Thailand since 1779.
The temple was damaged during the sacking in 1828 but was rebuilt in the 1930's.
Pha That Luang
The grandest of all the monuments in Vientiane.
It was originally built in 1565 and is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists all
over Laos. Standing at a height of 150 feet, the golden stupa is encircled with gilded
spires. Visitors in Vientiane during the full moon of November should visit the annual
precession when thousands come from all over Laos. A complete market and other vendors set
up shop during the festivities.
Nam Ngum Lake
Located about 90 km to the north of Vientiane, at
the end of route 10. The lake provides the scource for a hydro-electricity plant and has
breath-taking scenery. The lake has many small islands, which are in actual fact the tip
of the mountains, that were created when the lake was deliberately flooded.
Buddha Park
The religious park of Xian Quan is
located at at Tha Deua about 25 km to the east of Vientiane, close to the Friendship
Bridge that crosses into Thailand. The park contains an unusual collection of concrete
statuary of Buddhist and Hindu deities and figures from mythology.
The park was constructed during the 1950's by Bunlea Surirat, an eccentric monk who
is well known in Laos and northeast Thailand.
LUANG PRABANG
For any visitor to Laos, the "not to be missed"
cliche is certainly applicable in this case. The magical ruins of this 14th century city
was the foundations of the first Lao kingdom, LangXang, led by Fa Ngum. Listed as a World
Heritage Site in 1996, the complex of beautiful royal temples and palaces are set amongst
a mountainous background.
It is situated at the junction of the Mekong River and its tributary, the Nam Khan. For
visitors who will be in Luang Prabang during the Lao New Year, around the middle of April,
the ceremonial washing of the Buddha images is part of the celebrations: this will also
coincide with a drop of water on yourself. Like the Songkran festivities in Thailand, this
can turn into a very wet day indeed, but it is to be enjoyed in the spirit of the
festivities.
Places of
Attractions
Wat Xiengthong
Characterized by its superb tiered roof and rich
decorations, it is one of the most splendid and highly revered temples in Luang
Prabang. It is believed to have been built around 1560 by King Saisetthathirat and was
formerly a royal shrine. The complex is a collection of 12 stupas and small temples. The
interior western wall of the main sim is finely decorated with small tiles forming a
mural.
Wat Saen
This temple was founded in 1718. The name 'Saen'
refers to the 100,000 Kip that was donated to help its construction. The wat was
refurbished in the 1950's and contains many bronze Buddha images.
Phousy
The strenuous climb up the 328 steps to the top is well worth
the excellent view of the town. The 100m hill, which is located in the centre of the Luang
Prabang peninsula, has at its summit That Chomsi, an 80m tall stupa which dates back to
the 18th century.
Wat Visoun
This is Luang Prabang's oldest functioning temple originally
constructed in 1513 but rebuilt in 1898 following a fire.
King's Palace (National Museum)
The palace was constructed in 1904 and was designed
in the cruciform shape. Now utilised as the National Museum, the museum contains many
interesting artefacts from the former Royals. The main exhibit is the gold Buddha image,
Prabang, which legend has it, is nearly 2000 years old. It is believed to originally have
come from Sri Lanka and was given as a present to Fa Ngum. The image was later taken by
Thai invaders, but was later returned to Luang Prabang by King Rama IV.
Wat Aham
This tranquil monastery was the former home of the
Sangkhalat, the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism in Laos. In the compound are two large Bodhi
trees.
Ban Xang Hai
This village set alongside the Mekong is famous for
its jars. For many generations the villagers have been making these jars to contain Lao
Lao, a high alcohol content drink made from fermented rice.
Archaeologists have dated some of the ceramics found to more than 2000 years ago.
Pak Ou
These temple caves are set into a 1000 feet cliff
alongside the Mekong river. The entrance to the limestone caves is by a stairway which
leads into the cave mouth of Tham Ting which is adorned with many Buddha images.
The caves were for centuries religious sites for local animist tribes, until the 14th
century when most of Laos converted to Buddhism. The collection of the images increased
over the centuries and by the mid 17th century it became a pilgrimage spot for the Royalty
of Lang Xang.
Another climb up some steps will bring you to Tham Phum, which has a teak gate at the
entrance. A torch-lit tour takes you deep into the cave which is filled with hundreds of
various images.
PLAIN DE JARS
Nobody is sure of the story behind the
Plain of Jars history. On this highland plain is a scattering of jars that date back over
2000 years. The jars are of varying size, whith some of the largest weighing over 6 tons.
Some people suggest that the jars were ancient buriel urns. Although the area was bombed
intensively during ther Indochina War the jars were almost completely unscathed.
