Pha That Luang: The Great Golden Stupa

Pha That Luang, officially named Pha Chedi Lokajulamani (World Precious Sacred Stupa), is the most significant Buddhist monument in Laos, located about 4km northeast of Vientiane's city center. The Great Stupa is considered a symbol of Lao national identity and Buddhism.Legend states that in the 3rd century BC, missionaries sent by the Indian Emperor Ashoka erected a stupa here to enshrine a relic of the Buddha. In the 12th century, the Khmer built a temple on the site, but it later fell into disrepair. In 1566, King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane and ordered the construction of the current stupa, covering it in gold leaf. The stupa was heavily damaged and abandoned after the Siamese invasion in 1827 but was rebuilt by the French in 1930 to its original design.The architecture of Pha That Luang includes many references to Lao culture and identity. The 45-meter-high stupa has a pyramid-like shape and is surrounded by a high-walled cloister. The base of the stupa is a square lotus flower blooming with golden petals. The complex includes temples, monuments, and a palace where monks reside and study. Visitors can explore the cloister to admire Buddha's paintings, sculptures, and statues.The stupa is open daily, and the best time to visit is during the dry season (November to February). The annual Boun That Luang Festival in October or November is a major event with parades, performances, and ceremonies.