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Vientiane travel guide with Buddha Park and Wat Sisaket
April 9, 2024
After immersing yourself in the charm of Luang Prabang, extend your journey to Vientiane for a few days of exploration. To reach Vientiane from Luang Prabang, there are several travel options: catching a flight (the airport is a mere 15 minutes away from each city), boarding a Chinese bullet train (the station is over half and hour away from the centre) or opting for a van journey. While the latter promises a more leisurely pace, be prepared for a lengthy 9-hour journey due to the state of the roads and frequent truck traffic. For convenience and efficiency, I recommend taking a flight. Despite the early airport arrival, the overall travel time is comparable to that of the train, without the hassle of the train security checks. Speaking of which, if you opt for the train, note that, although the staff will not check other liquids or electronics, aerosols larger than 120ml are prohibited. Other security measures mirror those experienced at airport security.
According to history, the name of the city Vientiane means “Sandal Wood” or “City of the Moon”. No visit to Laos is complete without visiting its iconic landmarks. Among these, the site of the largest stupa across Southeast Asia. It is said that travellers are not considered to have been to Laos, if they have not visited this site.
Venture into the Buddha park, where around 300 statues representing various Buddhist religions from across Southeast Asia await discovery. Each sculpture tells a story, offering glimpses into the region’s diverse spiritual culture.
For a glance into Laos’ resilient spirit, explore Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city. Remarkably, it stands as the sole sanctuary to have withstood the ravages of time and conflict, preserving its ancient beauty and cultural treasures for generations to come.
