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Photo: Jakub Hałun, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.How well do you know the tranquil capital of Laos? Test your knowledge on Vientiane's rich history, beautiful landmarks, and unique cultural identity.
Wandering Traveler 0–4 · Mekong Stroller 5–8 · True Vientianese 9–10
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Vientiane is situated on a curve of the Mekong River, which serves as the natural border between Laos and Thailand. From the city's riverfront promenade, you can easily look across the water to see Thai territory.
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Pha That Luang, the 'Great Stupa', is covered in gold and rises about 45 metres high. King Setthathirath ordered its construction in 1566, after moving his capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
Photo: Coalfruit1012, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
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Wat Si Saket is the oldest temple in Vientiane that remains in its original form. While other temples were leveled during the Siamese invasion of 1828, Wat Si Saket was spared, possibly because its Siamese-style architecture resonated with the invaders.
Photo: Basile Morin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Haw Phra Kaew was originally built in 1565 to house the highly revered Emerald Buddha. After the Siamese captured Vientiane in 1779, they took the statue back to Bangkok, where it remains today in Wat Phra Kaew.
Photo: Alcyon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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That Dam, or the Black Stupa, is a quiet monument in Vientiane. Local legend says a protective seven-headed water serpent, or naga, lives inside it. This guardian spirit is believed to have tried to protect the city during the 1828 war.
Photo: Alex Valavanis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
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The Patuxai monument, often called the 'vertical runway', was constructed in the 1950s and 1960s using American funds and cement that were actually intended for building a new military airport runway.
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The grand French colonial building on Samsenthai Road was constructed in 1925 as the residence of the French governor. For decades it housed the Lao National Museum, which has since moved to a large new building on the edge of the city.
Photo: shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
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Khao Piak Sen features chewy noodles made with tapioca starch mixed with rice flour. As the noodles cook directly in the broth, the starch thickens the soup, giving it a comforting, gravy-like consistency.
Photo: Spencer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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'Vientiane' is the French spelling of the Lao name Viang Chan. 'Viang' means a walled city, and 'chan' comes from an old Sanskrit word for sandalwood, a precious fragrant wood. Because 'chan' can also mean 'moon' in Lao, some people translate the name as 'walled city of the moon' instead.
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Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, features over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues. Built in 1958 by a mystical monk, all of these massive, eerie, and highly detailed sculptures were crafted using reinforced concrete.
Photo: Dezwitser, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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