Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang)
Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang) things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A wonderful experience. Entry fee was 40.000 Kip. There are clean restrooms, cold drinks, snack options and a restaurant in the gardens. It’s easy and cheap to get there by bus, take the #14 from the central bus terminal; the bus is clearly marked. It costs 18.000 Kip (one way). It takes about 45-60 min to get there and the bus is air conditioned with comfortable seats. The return bus stop is just across the street from the park’s entry gate. This is a beautiful, peaceful place. The gardens have over 60 statues representing Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, beliefs and stories. Two of them are climbable offering great views and photo opportunities. If you’re Catholic, this is very much like the Stations of the Cross. Each statue tells important stories or honours important figures of the faith. If you just want to walk around, take a few pictures and move on, 30min - 40min will do. If you want to learn about Buddhism and Hinduism, plan for 2 hours or more. We were there for 4 hours with 3 breaks. Definitely get the audio guide if you want to learn what the statues mean, as no information is provided in the park. It’s 20.000 Kip for a guide and well worth it. There are 66 stations on the guide so choose the ones you find most intriguing. We tried to do them all but the battery on the audio guide died after about 3.5 hours, somewhere around station 50. It would seem most people aren't quite as obsessive as we are, but the stories were so interesting! The area around the statues has some shady spots and benches. If you’re feeling a bit heat exhausted just wander out of the statue garden to one side and there are lots of trees. Do pause for a coconut ice cream from one of the vendors. It’s not too sweet, very creamy and very coconut-y. At the back of the park is the Ban Xiengkhouan Garden. This is a great spot for those Instagram images. There are also rest huts where you can sit on the wooden floor under the shade and an area with benches under the shade as well. Please be mindful that this is considered a sacred site by locals, Buddhists and Hindus. Don’t be “that” tourist. You’ll see alters that are being honoured, and individual statues with offerings of flowers placed on them by the faithful. Treat the space and the statues with the same respect you’d like people to show towards the things you hold dear. While conservative dress is not enforced, if is seen as respectful to the local culture to be mindful of this: tops should cover shoulders and not expose the chest, no exposed mid-riff, and bottoms should at least reach the knees if not cover them. This was one of the highlights of visiting Vientiane. Highly recommended.
Culinary SlutCulinary Slut
20
The most memorable was Buddha Park, Xieng Khuan. The story of the founder of the park, “I made it myself from a Buddha statue I saw in my dream,” was mysterious. And so is the story of the 200 Buddha statues he made himself. Artists who go beyond religion and 'beyond imagination' are great. It seemed as if he had provided the joy of seeing and the fun of imagining with vivid movements and realistic descriptions that popped out of a dream and accompanied the living beings of this world. The so-called “Pumpkin Tower” was the tallest building in the park. Enter the room through the only entrance with the mouth of the Asura figure wide open. It is a cement building with three floors inside. The first floor represents hell, the second floor represents the present world, and the third floor represents heaven. The pumpkin-shaped tower is the most impressive. If you enter the 'mouth', the entrance to the pumpkin tower, you are on the first floor, but you cannot enter the hell on the first floor right away. You can only enter through the current life on the second floor. If it's a great philosophy, the fact that it was implemented as it is seems even more amazing. He is said to have created the Sala Keo Ku sculpture park in Thailand, which is 10 times the size of the Xiangkwan Buddha Park. Rather than there, the Laos park here looks more worth seeing.
Platinum GuidePlatinum Guide
30
(As of November 2018) In the same street as the National Institute for Public Health is in Vientiane (around the corner from the TBS-B Bus Station) one can catch bus 14 to Buddha Park for 8 000 Kip. A number of buses terminate in this street and on the sidewalk under a bus shelter one will find the sign board for bus 14. For some reason the bus does not stop/park there but parks parallel in the road about 20m away (as shown in my photo). The entrance fee to the park is 15 000 Kip per person. The park is relatively small and is easily covered in an hour or two depending on how many photos you want to take. There are guides for hire should you want someone to explain the statues to you and the history of the park and the figures in it. The park is bordering on the Mekong river but the bank is extremely muddy so taking a stroll to the waters edge is not recommended. The park is kept clean and trim. There are two structures within the park where one can buy refreshments or have a meal. All in all its an interesting place to spend part of a morning or afternoon. Getting the bus back to Vientiane central one has to cross the main road and keep ones eye out for the green bus. The wait should not be longer than 30 minutes. If the driver sees tourists at the roadside (on the correct side of the road) he usually flashes the bus lights at which time it is wise to raise ones hand and let him know to stop for you. 8 000 Kip and a little yellow ticket later you will be headed back to where you originally boarded after a stop at the Friendship Bridge immigration point to pick up more passengers.
Graham FordGraham Ford
130
This is my third visit to Buddha Park and there has been a major upgrade to the flower gardens area at the back of the park. The park is full of Hindu and Buddhist statuary but it certainly does not have a religious atmosphere. One can comfortably visit regardless of religious persuasion. The highlight must be the ball shaped edifice that you enter through the mouth of a demigod. You can climb to the top but be forewarned that guardrails and other protections are at the minimum. There is one sign that informs us, "Please don't fall off the building." Good advice, I think. There is a restaurant in the gardens with a great view of the Mekong from individual huts but be prepared to pay quite a bit more than the normal Laos price and to wait up to an hour, even when there are few customers. Taking one's time seems to be very in keeping with Lao culture. You can get a smoothie and other snack items but you might do well to eat lunch at the restaurant just to the east of the park. Good food and much more reasonable prices. All in all, it is a good place to visit, especially since it is near the border crossing to Nong Khai, Thailand. It would be good to visit when arriving or departing at this border. Otherwise, take bus 14 for about 30 minutes from Vientiane Central Bus Station
GeoffGeoff
00
Visiting Buddha Park in Vientiane was truly a profound experience. As soon as I stepped into the park, I was enveloped by a sense of tranquility and spirituality. The sight of the majestic Buddha sculptures dotted around the park was awe-inspiring, each one seemingly telling its own story of enlightenment and peace. Walking among the sculptures felt like a journey through history and philosophy. The intricate details carved into each statue spoke volumes about the craftsmanship and devotion that went into their creation. I found myself drawn to the serene expressions on the faces of the Buddhas, each one radiating a sense of calm and wisdom. One of the most striking aspects of the park was the depiction of Hell and Heaven, which offered a thought-provoking glimpse into Buddhist cosmology. The contrast between the two realms served as a powerful reminder of the eternal struggle between good and evil, and the importance of leading a virtuous life. Apart from the spiritual significance, the park also provided a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The lush greenery and the gentle sound of the nearby Mekong River added to the peaceful ambiance, making it the perfect place for quiet contemplation and reflection.
Kayiwa NKayiwa N
00
The Buddha Park is a short drive (approximately 40 minutes) or 50 minute bus ride (take 14 from Central Bus Station) from downtown Vientiane. It is truly a unique tourist attraction, and definitely a must visit if visiting Laos. There are many statues of Buddha and other characters. It is truly impressive how the artists were able to carve stones of such scale and size. There is a giant pumpkin-like structure at the start - it is quite a tight squeeze there but it is fun to climb up and see an elevated view of the whole park. The art style may not impress everyone, but personally, it is one of the main highlights during my visit here. There is an option to receive the audioguide - may be helpful to provide some cultural context. We didn’t take it (and hence, quite hard for us to understand the various pieces fully), but it didn’t dilute our experience. There are some trees that provide shade, but be prepared for harsh sunlight if you come in the middle of the day. There are some stalls that sell beverages or food inside as well. P.S. on the way here, it is likely that your transportation will drive through the friendship bridge, which is the bridge one crosses to enter Thailand.
NahshonNahshon
20
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Address
Deua, Thanon Tha, Vientiane, Laos
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cultural
outdoor
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Description
Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is a sculpture park 25 km southeast from Vientiane, Laos in a meadow by the Mekong River. Although it is not a temple, it may be referred to as Wat Xieng Khuan since it contains numerous religious images. The name Xieng Khuan means Spirit City.
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