Half-Day Vientiane City Tour
Vientiane, Laos
Trip Type: Half-day Tours
Duration: 4 hours
Enjoy a 4-hour guided tour of Vientiane and its laid-back atmosphere located along the Mekong River. Touring Vientiane’s city center brings visitors closer to its French influences and victory of its independence during the time of its occupation and its – nowadays - very strong ties with Buddhism. Visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in Vientiane, and Ho Phra Keo which is now a Museum of Buddhist art and sculpture, along with the Pha That Luang with its golden stupa, and the Victory Gate, also known as Anousavali.
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Enjoy a 4-hour guided tour of Vientiane and its laid-back atmosphere located along the Mekong River. Touring Vientiane’s city center brings visitors closer to its French influences and victory of its independence during the time of its occupation and its – nowadays - very strong ties with Buddhism. Visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in Vientiane, and Ho Phra Keo which is now a Museum of Buddhist art and sculpture, along with the Pha That Luang with its golden stupa, and the Victory Gate, also known as Anousavali.Upon pickup from your hotel in the city center of Vientiane ride to see the highlights of the Laotian capital.
First stop at the Vat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in Vientiane, built in 1818. Vat Sisaket has survived in its original form; all other temples in Vientiane have gone through extensive renovations. Inside the main hall, and along the walls of the courtyard surrounding it, a total of 6,840 Buddha images rest in small niches or on shelves, next to its remarkable frescoes. The temple is besides this, the only temple that survived the Siamese invasion in 1828.
Continue to nearby Ho Phra Keo, the former Royal temple, now a Museum of Buddhist art and sculpture. The building had housed the Emerald Buddha until it was taken to Bangkok following a skirmish with the Lao in 1778. It still displays some of the finest Buddha sculptures found in the country. An original jar of the world renowned “Plain of Jars” can be found as well on the compounds of this temple complex besides special displays of various artifacts, antique brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts.
The Pha That Luang with its golden stupa in the characteristic banana flower shape is the most revered shrine in Laos and of course cannot be missed. Laos’ national symbol has a central structure that is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus bud, the original stupa, said to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. Its domination of the Vientiane skyline is clearly visible from the top of the Phaxuthai Victory Gate, being located at the northern city boundaries, which will be our final stop of the tour before you head back to your hotel.
This victory gate, also known as Anousavali, was constructed in 1958; its architecture is inspired by the “Arc de Triumph” in Paris and incorporates typical Lao motifs including the Kinnaree, the mythical bird-woman. Energetic visitors can climb the top of the monument and enjoy a panoramic view of Laos’ capital from Vientiane’s highest point. The tower is open daily between 8am hrs and 5pm (entrance fee to climb to the top is not included).
Return back to your hotel riding along Vientiane’s most revered landmarks and iconic sights.
First stop at the Vat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in Vientiane, built in 1818. Vat Sisaket has survived in its original form; all other temples in Vientiane have gone through extensive renovations. Inside the main hall, and along the walls of the courtyard surrounding it, a total of 6,840 Buddha images rest in small niches or on shelves, next to its remarkable frescoes. The temple is besides this, the only temple that survived the Siamese invasion in 1828.
Continue to nearby Ho Phra Keo, the former Royal temple, now a Museum of Buddhist art and sculpture. The building had housed the Emerald Buddha until it was taken to Bangkok following a skirmish with the Lao in 1778. It still displays some of the finest Buddha sculptures found in the country. An original jar of the world renowned “Plain of Jars” can be found as well on the compounds of this temple complex besides special displays of various artifacts, antique brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts.
The Pha That Luang with its golden stupa in the characteristic banana flower shape is the most revered shrine in Laos and of course cannot be missed. Laos’ national symbol has a central structure that is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus bud, the original stupa, said to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. Its domination of the Vientiane skyline is clearly visible from the top of the Phaxuthai Victory Gate, being located at the northern city boundaries, which will be our final stop of the tour before you head back to your hotel.
This victory gate, also known as Anousavali, was constructed in 1958; its architecture is inspired by the “Arc de Triumph” in Paris and incorporates typical Lao motifs including the Kinnaree, the mythical bird-woman. Energetic visitors can climb the top of the monument and enjoy a panoramic view of Laos’ capital from Vientiane’s highest point. The tower is open daily between 8am hrs and 5pm (entrance fee to climb to the top is not included).
Return back to your hotel riding along Vientiane’s most revered landmarks and iconic sights.
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