9 Days of Temples - Farewell to Laos

Pha That Luang is the most sacred site of Laos. Built in the 16th century on the remains of a 13th century Khmer temple that stands on the site of a 3rd century temple built to house relics of Buddha - Laos history and culture in one building. 

Farewell to Laos.

The blog will be on a break - but it will return - from TOKYO.

9 Days of Temples 8

That Dam or the Black Stupa (playing in photoshop makes it look purple) is in the centre of Vientiane.  It is overgrown with vegetation and very crumbly.  Legend has it that it was once completely covered in pure gold which was taken by the Thais when they invaded in 1827 and looted and destroyed Vientiane.

It is said to be inhabitated by a seven headed Naga, which protected the people(but obviously not the gold) when the Siamese invaded.

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Every temple has a drum tower.  Here some young monks were practicing their drumming skills at Wat Simueng.

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Detail of roofline of Wat Xiengthong in Luang Prabang.  One of my favourite temples in my favorite places in Laos.

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Nuns meditating at Wat Sokpalauang.

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A sign of economic development in Laos is the number of temples being built or refurbished, often with money sent from expatriate Laos, as was the case with this temple south of Vientiane on the Mekong.

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Small temples in villages or rural locations are always interesting too.  This one in a small valley near The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuan Provice looked lovely reflected in the pond next to a rice paddy.