The Nam Ngum reservoir is about 80 km (50 miles) north of Vientiane. It is the largest body of water in Laos. It is created by the oldest and largest dam in Laos. Fishing in the lake is one of the most important economic activities for the local population around the lake. Exporting 70% to 80% of the electricity generated at the dam to Thailand is one of the most important sources of income for Laos. More information about the dam is available on Wikipedia at am Ngum Dam
View over the Nam Ngum reservoir. (611k) Islands in the Nam Ngum reservoir. (608k) Top of the Nam Ngum dam. (716k) The Nam Ngum dam from below. (968k) Fish traps on the reservoir. (855k) Excursion boats on the Nam Ngum reservoir. (1088k) Boat for dinner parties. (605k) Being rescued by another boat. Our boat had docked on an observation tower in the lake. The driver came up to the tower too fast and the boat ran up onto the platform and couldn't back off the platform. He had to call for help. (697k)
Buddha Park
View over Buddha Park. (951k) Fantasy building in the Buddha Park. (602k) Demon figure. (771k) Demon figure. (1150k) Demon figure. (1214k) Four-faced figure. (1283k) Crocodile. (1339k) Three-headed elephant. (1194k) Seven-headed Naga. (1244k) God swallowed by a snake. (847k) Pig-faced demon. (1145k) Hindu god. (1084k) Hindu god. (1059k) Hindu god. (918k) Hindu god. (1177k) Hindu monkey god Hanuman. (1190k) Hindu god Ganesha. (1273k) Hindu god Brahma on the left. (1012k) Scene from the life of Buddha. (1378k) Scene from the life of Buddha. (1388k) Scene from the life of Buddha. (1089k) Scene from the life of Buddha. Buddha in the "Stop Fighting" pose. (1159k) Scene from the life of Buddha. (1153k) Reclining Buddha. (941k)
Wat Si Saket
Wat Si Saket is the temple of thousands of Buddhas. It contains more than 2000 Buddha statues, small and large. It was built in 1818 on the order of King Anouvong and is the oldest standing temple in Vientiane.
Main temple in Wat Si Saket. (721k) Front of the temple in Wat Si Saket. (654k) Drum tower in Wat Si Saket. (745k) Rows of Buddha statues. (815k) Close-up of one of the bronze Buddha statues in the "Touching the Earth" pose (Bhumisparsha Mudra). (738k) Hang Hod for washing the Buddha statues. (872k)
Pha That Luang Stupa
Pha That Luang is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the center of Vientiane. 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.
View of Pha That Luang. (643k) View of Pha That Luang. (662k) View of Pha That Luang. (683k) Building in the Pha That Luang complex. (963k) Building in the Pha That Luang complex. (709k) Decorations in one of the buildings in the Pha That Luang complex. (901k) Details of Pha That Luang complex. (959k) Reclining Buddha in the Pha That Luang complex. (834k) Brahma statue in the Pha That Luang complex. (1159k) Buddha statue in the "Seven Days Looking" pose. (902k)
Patuxai Monument
The Patuxai Monument is a war monument in Vientiane. It was built between 1957 and 1968. It is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France.
Patuxai Monument. (649k) View from the top of the Patuxai Monument. (918k)
Dr. Günther Eichhorn Travel Website
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