THAT LUANG STUPA | Vientiane

THAT LUANG STUPA (Great Sacred Stupa)

Pha That Luang is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Since its initial establishment, suggested to be in the 3rd century AD, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions as recently as the 1930s due to foreign invasions of the area. It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol.

The site of That Luang has been builtin use since the year 236 of the Buddhist Calendar (307BC). When the first governor of Vientiane, Phaya Chanthabouri Pasitthisack or Bourichan built a structure that looked like a kiln of about 9 meters high and 10 meters wide. The original stupa was built on the site in 1566 by King Saysetthathirath, and was restored in 1953. The golden stupa is 45 meters tall and is believed to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. The gold centerpiece of this stupa echoes the curve of an elongated Lotus bud. Today it is the most important national cultural monument.

Open: Tuesday-Sunday (except Monday)

Time: 08:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00

Admission Fee: 30,000kip/person