Vientiane (ວຽງຈັນ)
Vientiane (pronounced as 'Wiang Chan' by the locals) is situated on a bend in the Mekong river and surrounded by fertile lands. Vientiane is a laid-back city where a number of interesting wats and markets are the busiest spots.
There are numerous places of interest in Vientiane. Some of them are listed here.
- An interesting site to visit is Pha That Luang (the Great Sacred Stupa). It is the most important national monument in Laos and famous for its 45 m (148 ft) tall stupa. It dates from 1566 and it is a symbol of Buddhism and Lao sovereignty./li>
- Haw Phra Kaew is sometimes referred to as 'Wat Pha Kaew'. It is an old royal temple that nowadays houses a museum and some shops.
- Wat Si Saket is the oldest temple in Vientiane.
- Wat Si Muang was built in 1563 on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine. Some remains of this shrine can still be seen behind the ordination hall. Locals believe that the temple by the spirit of Nang Si. According to legend Nang Si was a local girl, who leapt to her death as a sacrifice, at the same moment a construction pillar was lowered into position.
- A statue of King Sisavang Vong stand infront of the Wat Si Muang temple.
- One of the most prominent landmarks in Vientiane is Patuxai, a memorial monument that was inaugurated in 1968. From the top of the monument you'll have magnificent views over the city.
- That Dam features a large stupa.
- Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan is a Buddhist monastery.
- Wat Sri Chomphu Ong Tue is another Buddhist temple.
- Wat Sok Pa Luang is another Buddhist temple.
- Wat Si Saket is a Buddhist wat.
- The Settha Palace Hotel was established 1932.
- The Talat Sao, or 'Morning Market', is an area full of stalls and small shops that are open from 6 am to 6 pm.
- The Dong Palan Night Market offers original Lao meals.
- Sanjiang market.
- In a meadow, about 24 km (15 mi) south of Vientiane, Wat Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park) can be visited. It was opened in 1958 and features a number of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.
There are several good museums in Vientiane. The most popular ones are the Lao National Museum and the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum.
There are quite a few places to stay in Vientiane despite the relatively low number of tourists visiting the city. A handful of top-end hotels and mid-range guesthouses are available. Low price and budget accommodation is easier to find and is mainly situated in central Vientiane. A wide variety of mostly local dishes are available in numerous cafés, street stalls, beer halls and restaurants. On the east bank of the Nong Chan river, the Dong Palan Night Market is the place to try original Lao meals.
Vientiane has not got a great entertaining nightlife, but some bars offer live music and a few discos (playing mostly Lao folk music and Western pop) can be found in the city center. Cinemas usually offer Thai, Chinese and Indian movies. There is also a bowling alley in Vientiane. Good souvenirs to bring home include tribal crafts, fabrics, jewelry and furniture, which are all inexpensive in Vientiane.
Miscellaneous Information
Latitude: 17°58' N
Longitude: 102°34' E
Elevation: 170 m (558 ft)
Population: 840,000
Cost-of-living compared to Washington D.C.: 96%
Hours from UTC: 8
Daylight savings time: Late March through late October
City phone code: n/a
Country phone code: n/a
Average Weather Patterns
| Temperature | Precipitation |
January | 21.4°C (70.5°F) | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
April | 28.9°C (84°F) | 9.9 cm (3.9 in) |
July | 27.8°C (82°F) | 26.7 cm (10.51 in) |
October | 26.4°C (79.5°F) | 10.9
cm (4.29 in) |
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