Visit the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane: tickets, prices, schedules

Are you coming to Laos soon? So don't miss visiting the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane!

Visit the Pha That Luang temple is a must if you go to Laos. A symbol of the city of Vientiane, the Pha That Luang is a huge golden stupa whose origins date back to 1566. The monument is truly covered with gold. After all, this place is one of the most important places in Buddhism. It is also a monument of national pride, so much that it appears on the Laos coat of arms and bank notes.

Do you want to visit the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane? In this article, you will find all the necessary information to discover it. Tips, history and practical information through rates and times, you will know the essentials to plan your visit and appreciate it at best!

History of the temple Pha That Luang

On the site of the temple was originally a Hindu temple of the third century, built by Khmer civilization. According to popular belief, the temple sheltered a relic of the Buddha, a coast brought from India by missionaries of the Emperor Ashoka .

On the ruins of this temple, King Setthathirat ordered the construction of a stupa, the first attested, in 1566. A statue of this king is thus erected before the cloister. This construction then intervenes to mark the displacement of the capital of Laos, from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. The purpose of this monument was also to make shadow to the great supa of Chiang Mai. Its construction lasted five years.

Subsequently, the temple was destroyed and looted by the Siamese in the 18th century and again in 1827, before being rebuilt by King Anou, who also added the cloister. Over the years, the monument deteriorated again. Around 1901, the École française d’Extrême-Orient restored it, but a majority of Laotians wanted a monument in the forms closer to the origins. The current form of the temple dates back to 1930, although enlargements were made in 2010 for the 450 years of the Laotian capital.

Our tips to visit the temple Pha That Luang

Do you soon arrive in Vientiane and want to organize your discoveries? We understand you perfectly, time is precious! To help you visit the Pha That Luang temple, here are some tips:

The best time to visit the temple Pha That Luang

Visit the temple Pha That Luang all year round. However, we recommend that you come in the morning, the temperatures are then milder.

Better. avoid the rainy season from May to September. However, the rains are usually short and take place at the end of the day. The temple can thus always be visited during these months, simply make sure to provide a solid umbrella or a rain cup!

The feast of That Luang

Every year, to the first full moon of November It's the stupas party. This feast is particularly important at the Pha That Luang temple. It takes place on three days and is called Boun Namatsakane Pha That Luang "Hommage et dévotion au grand stupa". Visit the Pha That Luang temple at this time completely upsets your visit.

On this occasion, thousands of faithful and many monks from all over the country gather on the site. Numerous processions, offerings and torch parades take place. Ritual parts of tikki , a form of hockey playing with bamboo laps. Some even say that this game originating from Laos would then have arrived in Burma . He would have given birth to British grass hockey!

It is strongly recommended to visit the Pha That Luang temple during this period. Travelers will then be able to see another facet of Laotian culture and learn more about local customs and customs!

What to do when visiting the Pha That Luang temple?

The Pha That Luang is a quadrangular stupa of 35 meters high, entirely golden. A stupa is a Buddhist monument, a non-figurative representation of the Buddha commemorating his death or parinirvana . The stupa is surrounded by a square cloister with two entrances and two pavilions. In the vicinity of the stupa, you can also admire and visit four modern Buddhist temples. Two are west, and two are east.

Visiting the Pha That Luang temple can be divided into two parts: the exterior part and access inside the site.

The exterior of the temple Pha That Luang

In the exterior spaces of the Pha That Luang you will discover many gardens, temples, monuments, statues and even a small palace. This outer area of the site is in free and free access.

In this exterior part, you can obviously admire the large golden stupa, but also the Statue of King Sethathirath, the king responsible for the construction of the stupa and the temple. Its statue is located in the gardens of Saysettha, which are on the path of the main entrance to the inside of the stupa.

Around the Pha That Luang temple, you can also contemplate the Wat Neua Thatluang complex. The latter is composed of an impressive Thai-style palace and a charming little temple. With its impressive façade, it is one of the most striking buildings on the site.

Visit the temple Pha That Luang is discovering it at every corner of the street! Outside, in front of the parking lot, you can also admire a monument dedicated to the Laotian Revolution. All around the temple, travellers can walk in charming gardens, and especially visit the four outer temples. In these temples, monks live and study.

The inside of the temple Pha That Luang

Visit the temple Pha That Luang is widely accessible to all scholarships given its derisory award. To access the inside of the temple, you will have to pay an entry to the symbolic price of 1€. The interior is not necessarily more beautiful, impressive or interesting than its exterior. You can walk in the cloister, contemplate the remains of sculptures and paintings, make offerings to different altars at the foot of the Pha That Luang.

The interior is especially worth the visit during the party Boun Namatsakane Pha That Luang. Many gifts and flowers decorate the golden stupa, as well as the various altars.

How much does a ticket cost to the Pha That Luang temple?

The entrance to the temple Pha That Luang will normally cost you 10,000 laotian kips, or 1€, per person.

Are there guided tours of the Pha That Luang temple?

It is not possible to book an online ticket for the Pha That Luang temple.

However, you can opt for a guided tour, the entrance to the monument is usually included in a trip . The guided tours of the Pha That Luang temple are numerous. You can book a tour or visit online. This type of visit usually includes many other monuments and must-see sites of Vientiane, as Wat Si Saket, Wat Phra Keo , the Presidential Palace, the Patuxay Monument or the Buddha Park.

These excursions usually last half day . In terms of rates, count on 40€ to 80€ per person. These visits are usually conducted in English and with a professional guide. You can also choose a guided tour with a local, professional or not guide. For these activities, you can contact your hotel or hostel on site.

Opening hours of the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane

The temple Pha That Luang Temple is open daily from 8am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm.

Note : the times may vary depending on the religious ceremonies and the period of the year.

How to go to the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane?

The Pha That Luang temple is located outside Vientiane city centre. It is located in the district of Ban Nongbone about 4 kilometers northeast of the centre.

• By bus : from the Central Bus Station (CBS), you can borrow the line 23 to reach the Pha That Luang temple quickly. Buses circulate from 6h until 17h30and this every 30 minutes On average. The bus ticket on this line costs 5,000 laotian kips (0.5€).
• In tuk tuk : you can also take a tuk-tuk for 50,000 to 60,000 kips (about 5 or 6€).

Where to park near the Pha That Luang temple?

You have a scooter or other vehicle you rented ? So know that you will have no trouble parking near the Pha That Luang temple. In front of the monument you will find a relatively guarded car park where parking your scooter for a small sum .

Where to stay near the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane?

Loging around the temple Pha That Luang is not necessarily interesting for a passenger to Vientiane. We recommend you find accommodation in the city centre of the capital. In this area you will find many hostels and hostels hotels .

The area also has many cafes and restaurants, as well as travel agencies to prepare the rest of your Asian escapades. The city centre also houses many French-style buildings, charming Buddhist temples, cultural visits and night markets.

You can also choose one home housing along the avenue Lane Xang , nicknamed the " Champs-Elysées" of Vientiane. It is in this “town” that the Presidential Palace and the Patuxai a beautiful bow of triumph. There are also many restaurants, cafés and shops.