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Tourist Interesting Sites in Vientiane
Patuxay
Prominent on Lane Xang avenue, opposite Wat Sisaket, it was built during the sixties. From its top, you get a unique panoramic view of Vientiane including Patuxay park and its musical fountains.
The fountains functions at 11.00 am and 5.00 pm and the park open daily from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm, entrance fee is 2,000 kip per person.

That Luang Stupa
Unforgettable. It constitutes the national symbol of Laos. Located on the east side of town, some 3 km from the city center, past Patuxay, this large, holy Stupa is said to contain a hair from the Buddha. That Luang was erected in 1566 but attacks and looting left it in ruins. Its reconstruction was undertaken by the French at the beginning of the last century. To appreciate this Stupa in all its splendour, the best time to visit is at sundown when its gold shines out. Open daily from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm, entrance fee is 2,000 kip per person.

Wat Xieng Khuan
Located on the Mekong bank, 27 km from Vientiane, near the friendship bridge. During the fifties a monk built several statues, among them the Laying Buddha which is over 50 m long. With these factunes he hoped to unify Buddhism and Hinduism. He also built a similar place in Nongkhai in Thailand.
Open daily from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm, entrance fee is 5,000 kip per person.

Ho Phra Keo
Located just opposite Vat Sisaket. The first Ho Phra Keo was erected by King Setthathirath to conceal the emerald Buddha which is now in the Wat Phra Keo of Bangkok. Ho Phra Keo of Bangkok. Ho Phra Keo offers a collection of consecreted art objects. The temple is encircled by a gallery containing 18th century bronze statues of the Buddha in various positions of meditation.
Open daily from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm, entrance fee is 2,000 kip per person.
Wat Si Muang
Wat Si Muang is the most visited wat by the Lao people. This convent holds the ?pillar?of the town which is why it is considered as the centre of the Ancient spirit of Vientiane. Entrance free.

Wat Ong Teu
Situated on Setthathirath Road, it was founded by King Setthathirath and rebuilt in the beginning of the 20th century. The Wat is home to the most important bronze ststue of Buddha in Vientiane. The monestery here, once held the ceremony of allegiance to the King, and is well known for its teaching.

That Dam
Not far from the center of town, this stupa is certainly very old and according to legend it was the guardian of a seven headed dragon which would protect the city from Siamese invasion. Because of its lack od success in this respect, the stupa is little worshipped, ehich explains its state of neglact.

Vang Vieng
Located 170 km north of Vientiane on the Luang Prabang Road (Road No 13), this town lies along the bank of the Nam Song River and receives plenty of visitors. The landscape is made up of strange shaped limestone mountains, carved by erosion. Numerous galleries and caves are there to be visited, many still unexplored.
Tourist Interesting Sites In Luang Prabang
Buddha Pha Bang
The Pha Bang, after which the city is named, is a bronze statue representing a standing Buddha in the position of ?Ham Nhat?(Calming all arguments). It weights 43 kg and stands 43 cm high. The Pha Bang was donated by the Khmer souvereign to the Lao Prince Fa Ngum before his departure from Cambodia to re-conquer his Kingdom. He then left the Prabang Buddha in Vieng Chan (Vientiane). It was not until until 1489 that King Lan Sen Tay brought the Phra Bang to his capital where he placed it in Wat Xieng Klang. After this he re-named the city Muang Luang Prabang. Today the precious original is safe in the national bank but a copy can be seen in the national museum of Luang Prabang.

Wat Mai
The sim is a perfect example of Luang Prabang style with its five tiered, timber framed roof, its decorated columns and its doors which are gilded with motives relating to the legend of Vessantara, the last but one incarnation of Buddha. Once a year the Phra Bang (Buddha) is displayed in Wat Mai. Especially interesting are the two external columns, made of red wood, which were once used to attach the Royal elephants. Entrance fee is 5,000 kip per person.

The Mount Phousi
The view from the top of the Mount of the Mekong river and the city is superb, especially in the evening, when the setting sun colours the river blood red before disappearing behind the mountains. Phousi Mount is Luang Prabangs?holy mountain, on its peak is the 20 m high Wat Chamsi Stupa. To enjoy the scenery, you will have to pay 8,000 kip per person.

Wat Xieng Thong
This temple is not only the most beautiful in Luang Prabang but also in the whole of Laos. Edified by King Setthathirath, it was built very close to the Mekong. With its roof sloping down to the ground, it is characteristic of Luang Prabang architecture from the times of the kindoms of Lang-Wang and Canna. To get the most of the sanctuary, and especially to take photographs, it is best to visit in the morning. Entrance fee is 10,000 kip per person.

Royal Palace or National Museum of Luang Prabang
Close to Wat Mai is the golden Buddha (Phra Bang), a precious relic venerated by the Lao people, after all, the country today is still under his protection. Besides the golden Buddha, you can also admire Buddhas from the 15th and 16th centuries, monks drums and elephants tusks. The entrance fee is 10,000 kip per person and taking photographs inside the museum is forbidden.

Wat Visoun
The most ancient temple of Luang Prabang. It was originally rercted in 1515 and was re-built in 1898. For some time it housed the Pha Bang Buddha until the onset of invasions which included the pirate ?Black Flag?invasion. Its windows, with wooden railings, are inspired from the Wat Phou temple. Inside you can admire ancient statues and steles. Within the walls you will see That Pathoume or That Mak Mo (known as Water Melon because of its similarities to the fruit) which is a stone Stupa built by King Visounarath?s wife.

Pak Ou Caves
The caves are located 25 km from Luang Prabang on the banks of the Mekong and the mouth of the Nam Ou. The slow boat takes at least one hour but it is a superb trip in contrast to the quicker boats which are risky and more suited to the Indiana Jones type. Pak Ou is a well known Buddhist site and a place of pilgrimage, having thousands of statues and statuettes, in the traditional Luang Prabang style, mainly of the Buddha. Stairs connect a second, deeper cave known as Tham Phum. Take an electric torch. Outside the cave is the impressive sight of a steep cliff falling sharply into the Nam Ou River.
Boat trip to Pak Ou from Luang Prabang city available near the Wat Xieng Thong and Pak Ou caves entrance fee is 8,000 kip per person.

Khong Si Waterfall
30 km from Luang Prabang, the pretty waterfalls cascade over limestone into turquoise pools of varying sizes. An ideal spot for a picnic or a leisurely walk. From Luang Prabang you can get there by Tuk Tuk or Taxi and Waterfall entrance fee is 15,000 kip per person.