Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, is a serene town located on the banks of the Mekong river. The deep-seated history of this city makes it an interesting destination to learn about the diversity of this Asian country. The numerous stupas, temples and shrines of Vientiane are reflective of traditional Buddhist culture accentuated by French influences.
Pha That Luang in Vientiane is one of the most important Buddhist monuments in Laos, with a stunning golden stupa surrounded by 30 smaller stupas at the base. The centre shrine is believed to contain a breast bone of the Buddha. On your trip, you can also explore the picturesque grounds of Wat Sisaket, the only temple to survive the attack of the Siamese army in the 19th century. Once you walk inside, you'll get to see about 7,000 statues of the Buddha along with a rectangular courtyard decorated with colourful flowers and plants.
The eventful history of Vientiane is stored in the Lao National Museum. You can spend a couple of hours here, learning and discovering the history and culture of Laos. There are a number of fascinating artefacts and exhibitions – from ancient dinosaur bones to recent items from the French and the Siamese. You can also visit the former home of the Emerald Buddha, Ho Phra Keo Museum, and see a collection of of religious art and artefacts. When you walk inside this monument, you'll get to see a gilded throne, stone tablets and ancient manuscripts.