| What it is | a gold-covered Buddhist stupa in Vientiane; ‘Great Stupa’ |
|---|---|
| Founding | King Setthathirath moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane and ordered the temple built in 1566 |
| Early dimensions | bases 69 m on each side; the stupa was 45 m high |
| Earlier origins | a stupa suggested to date to the 3rd century AD |
| Rebuilt | reconstructed in the 1930s |
Located on a hill about three miles northeast of the centre of Vientiane, Pha That Luang (The Great Stupa or Sacred Reliquary) is considered as the most important national monument and the symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. It is an impressive gold-covered large Buddhist stupa whose gilded structure reflects marvelously in the midday sunlight.
Pha That Luang was initially built as a Hindu temple in the 3rd century and since then to the 1930s, it underwent several reconstructions because of foreign invasions to the area. In the mid-16th century, King Setthathriat relocated the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane and ordered construction of Pha That Luang in 1566. The stupa was built with enormous grand pyramid and the top was covered with gold leaf weighing about a thousand pounds. Each base was 69 metres long, 45 metres high and surrounded by 30 small stupas. In 1828 Pha That Luang was destroyed by the Thai Invasion. In 1900 it was restored to its original design by the French and up to the 1930s the restoring was successful. The architecture o the building consists of many references to Lao culture and three levels, each reflects a part of the Buddhist doctrine. Inside of the stupa there are amazing hand painted art works and around it there numerous statues of Buddha and deities which are well crafted and dressed in bright robes. The best time to visit is in November when the country’s most important religious festival takes place here.
The Great Stupa
English Wikipedia describes Pha That Luang as a gold-covered Buddhist stupa in Vientiane. A stupa on the site is suggested to date from the third century AD, and in 1566 Setthathirath, who had moved his capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, ordered the present temple built about four kilometers from the city center. The bases were 69 meters on each side and the stupa 45 meters high. It was reconstructed in the 1930s. We have not verified the older text’s claims about its symbolism, opening hours or ticket prices, so check them before you go.
Sources (read in English, English Wikipedia): That Luang. Last checked November 2026.
Pha That Luang: FAQ
When was Pha That Luang built?
The temple was ordered in 1566 by Setthathirath; a stupa may date from the third century AD.
How tall was the original stupa?
45 meters, with 69-meter bases, according to English Wikipedia.
Where is Pha That Luang?
About four kilometers from the center of Vientiane.
Was it rebuilt?
Yes, in the 1930s.
How long does a visit take?
About an hour.