Pha That Luang (Great Stupa in Lao) is the most significant religious and national monument in Laos. Situated on a hill five km north of Vientiane it was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an earlier 13th century Khmer temple. Initially covered in gold leaf, Pha That Luang was destroyed by the Siamese invasion in 1828, then later reconstructed by the French in 1930. The temple has become a symbol of Lao nationalism. Pha That Luang consists of three levels, each conveying a reflection of part of the Buddhist belief.
01 Main gate 02 Details of main gate 03 Pha That Luang 04 Second level
05 Main square 06 Monument of King Saya Setthathirath 07 Temple under construction 08 Pha That Luang
09 Pha That Luang 10 Pha That Luang 11 Small stupas on the second level 12 Second level and central stupa 13 Second level and central stupa
14 Gate and staircase to third level 15 Pha That Luang 16 Lotus leaves and stupas 17 Second level and central stupa 18 Gate and staircase to third level
19 Second level and stupas 20 Pha That Luang 21 Second level and central stupa 22 Central stupa
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