Vientiane is the capital of Laos and full of Buddhist architectural history. Here is an introduction to the top sights and some history! Join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/buddhist.architecture and learn about our book series here: http://architectureofbuddhism.com/

2. Vientiane, the capital of Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s smaller
capitals with a population of just 800.000. A legend says that the city
was created by a dragon named Naga Souvannanak.
It was established as capital in 1563 and heavily destroyed by the
Siamese in 1828.

3. Vientiane literally means “City of Sandalwood.”
Its spelling is of French origin and
pronounced “Vieng Chan”

4. Religion in Laos:
- 70% Theravada Buddhists
- 27% Animism (ancient beliefs)
- 2% Christian
- 1% Muslims

5. Pha That Luang:

6. Also known as the ‘Great
Stupa’ or Wat That Luang, it
is the most sacred
monument in Laos and one
of the holiest ones for
Buddhists.

7. It is believed that Indian
missionaries sent by King
Ashok around the 3rd century
brought a breastbone of
Buddha to Vientiane.

8. The temple’s base is 69m by 69m and 45m high.
Its stupa can be seen from plenty of surrounding
places.

9. It has been submitted to the
Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

11. The temple has been built in 1818 (restored in 1935) and is
considered as Vientiane’s oldest surviving Buddhist
monastery and one of the few that were not destroyed by the
invasion of Siamese armies in 1828, probably due to its
Siamese style.

12. That Dam
The Black Stupa

13. Since Vientiane has been destroyed in 1828, it is
believed that a seven headed dragon (Naga) lives
here as a guardian for the citizen of the city. The
stupa was once covered in pure gold, but pillaged
by the Siamese during the Siamese-Lao war,
leaving the stupa almost entirely black

14. Wat Haw Phra Kaew:

15. Built in the 16th century by King
Setthathirat as temple for the
legendary Emerald Buddha figurine
and now serves as museum.

16. The sacred jade statue has been brought from Chiang Mai,
then the capital of the
kingdom of Lanna, but taken back by the Siamese in 1778
and now sits at
the Wat Phra Kaew (hence the same name) in Bangkok.

17. Wat Si Muang:

19. Buddha Park:

20. Established in 1958 by a priest-shaman
named Bunleua Sulilat, it portrays over
200 Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.

21. Boun That Luang Festival:

22. Laos’ most important festival is held every November for three night and
three days, to pay respect to the stupa of Wat That Luang and to enjoy the
colourful event that includes parades, live music and religious ceremonies.

23. Welcome to Vientiane!

24. Photo Sources:
Slide 1 – Wat Si Saket via Flickr by Egui_: http://bit.ly/1nMLo3H
Slide 2 – Lao Culture Centre via flickr by Daniel Hoherd : http://bit.ly/1oZGkbD
Slide 3 - Patuxay via Flickr by Philip Roeland : http://bit.ly/1pdSRH3
Slide 4 - Pha That Luang Gate via Flickr by Matteo : http://bit.ly/1qKjXXx
Slide 5 - Pha That Luang at night via Flickr by Matt Werner : http://bit.ly/1nOD2sm
Slide 6 - Pha That Luang via Flickr by Mark Bellingham : http://bit.ly/1t8X8xX
Slide 7 - Pha That Luang via Flickr by Mark Bellingham : http://bit.ly/1t8X8xX
King Ashok via Wikimedia by Live-and-Learn
Slide 8 – Pha That Luang via Wikimedia by Jialiang Gao
Slide 9 - Pha That Luang via Flickr by FullyFunctnlPhil : http://bit.ly/1qKr6Hj
Slide 10 - Wat Si Saket via Flickr by Andrew Newdigate : http://bit.ly/1oMKK2C
Slide 11 – Wat Si Saket via Flickr by Anguskirk: http://bit.ly/1nVXUhv
Slide 12 - That Dam via Flickr by Lovebooks42 : http://bit.ly/WjYR9g
That Dam via Flickr by Andreas Bossard : http://bit.ly/1qi9Ay4
Slide 13 - That Dam via Flickr by Philip Roeland : http://bit.ly/UczJzb
Slide 14 - Wat Haw Phra Kaew via Flickr by Dan Searle http://bit.ly/1nHjMIz
Slide 15 - Wat Haw Phra Kaew via Flickr by Jay Joslin: http://bit.ly/1rb7qyf
Slide 16 - Wat Phra Kaew via Flickr by Baron Reznik :http://bit.ly/1zSWGIR
Slide 17 - Wat Si Muang via Flickr by Anannya Deb: http://bit.ly/1qmBqct
Slide 18 - Wat Si Muang via Flickr by Anannya Deb : http://bit.ly/1jTPPuc
Slide 19 - Buddha Park via Flickr by Andrew Newdigate: http://bit.ly/1mWm9Ly
Slide 20 - Buddha Park via Flickr by Hanoi Mark :http://bit.ly/1jzFL99
Slide 21 – That Luang Festival Vientiane Laos via Wikimedia by Jialiang Gao
Slide 22 - Boun That Luang Festival via fotopedia : http://bit.ly/Ue2TOQ
Slide 23 - The Standing Buddha of Oudamxay via Flickr by Collin Key : http://bit.ly/1rjGPAS
Slide 24 – Mekong River via Flickr Collin Key : http://bit.ly/1rjHja4