The Highlights of Buddha Park
Buddha Park known as Xieng Khuan was constructed in the year 1958 by Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. During the Communist occupation, he emigrated to Thailand and created a similar park called Sala Kaew Ku Park. Buddha Park boasts over 200 Hindu and Buddism bizarre statues. What makes the park unique is all of sculptures were made in reinforced concrete. In Buddha Park, visitors not only find Buddha images but also animals, gods and demons. The prime examples are a 4-arm deity sitting on a horse and an artistic deity with 12 faces and many hands. Besides, a 3-head elephant rode by Indra, the King of Hindu gods, Indra contains a special meaning in Buddhism and especially in Laos, the land of the million elephants.
Buddha Park in Vientiane
The elephant scuplture at Buddha Park
A deity at Buddha Park
Moreover, the outstanding construction of Buddha Park is Pumpkin Tower, a pumpkin-shaped structure. The building is 6m in height and contains 3 floors representing 3 religious levels: Hell, Earth and Heaven. It is known that the concrete is the sole material to build the structure. The mythological entrance of the tower is a narrow mouth of of 3m-high demon. Inside of the tower, travelers will see several horrific sculptures. Tourists have to walk through a few steep and narrow stairs without a railing to move up to higher levels. From the top of the tower, you can have great views of the sculptures of the park as well as the surrounding areas.
Pumpkin Tower at Buddha Park
Inside of Pumpkin Tower
In addition, the largest Buddha sculpture, a reclining Buddha statue is one of striking items of Buddha Park. It is 120m in length and 40m in height. This Buddha icon has been built recently and is used as a temple named Wat Xiengkuane. A small chapel is placed in front of the statue with the aim of praying and making offerings.
The reclining Buddha at Buddha Park
A small chapel at Buddha Park
How to Get to Buddha Park
From the centre of Vientiane, visitors can go to Buddha Park by local bus no 14 with the air condition at Khua Din bus station next to the Talat Sao market. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes and costs 6,000 Kips. Furthermore, you can hire a tuk tuk with the price between 150,000 and 200,000 Kips. The driver will wait at the parking for the return trip. Another way is to rent a motorbike. Travellers can runs along the main road or another which snakes through river, villages and paddies.
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm
Ticket Price: 5,000 Kips/person, camera fee: 3,000 Kips.
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