Pha That Luang (Great Stupa) is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of Vientiane, Laos, about 4km northeast of the city centre at the end of That Luang. Since its initial establishment, suggested to be in the 3rd century, 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. Indohichina travel Laos

Legend dates its founding from 3rd century BC Asokan missionaries who erected a shrine here to enclose a breastbone of the Buddha.

Pha That Luang

From the outside That Luang looks more like a fortress surrounded by high walls and it features two temples with the main stupa, the top of which is covered with gold leaf, standing 148 feet tall. The beautiful architecture is in Lao style, influenced by Buddhist beliefs – these include finely-gilded, red-lacquer doors, pointed lesser stupas, many Buddha images and beautiful flower and animal images. A high-walled cloister with tiny windows surrounds the 45m-high stupa. The cloister measures 85m on each side and contains various Buddha images. Laos travel packages

Inside of Pha That Luang, you can see amazing hand painted art works, which will put your mind in awe. Scattered around the temple well-cared grounds, there are also numerous statues of Buddha and deities. They are all life sized statues which are well crafted and dressed in bright saffron robes.

The symbol of Laos

Pha That Luang is a huge Buddhist Stupa of 45 meters in height and 69 meters long built in pyramidal shape and is surrounded in turn by 30 small stupas. The Pha That Luang stupa is covered with 500 kilos of gold leaf, precious metal that achieves such impressive golden color, symbol of the splendor of Laos.

The Pha That Luang consists of three levels. On top of the first level wall are hundreds of sema stones that mark the sacred area. On top of the wall marking the second level are hundreds of sema stones and 30 small stupas. The upper part of the stupa resembles an elongated lotus bud topped with a multi tiered parasol.

Pha That Luang consists of three levels

The design of the 45m high Pha That Luang – the name in full translates as ‘World Precious Sacred Stupa’ – represents many aspects of Buddhist scriptures, though the primary artistic inspiration is the lotus flower.

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