Seeing the 9-meter stupa for the first time can make anyone feel as if it has a story to tell, and indeed, it has — not only is That Ing Hang the place where Buddha delivered one of his sermons, it is also believed that this monument is home to Buddha’s spine. Though most of its facade is faded and marked, it still has retained its beautiful decors — intricate carvings and statues of Buddha, and Buddhism’s gods and goddesses can be found all over the stupa’s exterior wall. That Ing Hang Stupa is a sacred place of worship not only for the Lao Buddhists but also for Thai Buddhists in Savannakhet.
Location
The stupa is located at Ban That Village, 15 kilometres from Kaysone Phomvihane District, Laos.
Opening Days and Hours
Opens daily from 8:00 to 18:00.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Entrance is LAK 5,000 (USD 0.60).
How to Get There
- Fly from Vientiane to Savannakhet via Lao Airlines.
- From the airport, board a tuk-tuk to That Ing Hang Stupa.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families
Time to Spend
Spend at least an hour exploring the stupa and nearby attractions.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
Best time to visit is in the morning — between 8:00 and 10:00 — and in the late afternoon.
Food
Manda de Laos, a restaurant near That Ing Hang Stupa, is definitely a must-try while you’re in Ban That, Laos.
Nearby Attractions
- Wat Sainyaphum
- Dinosaur Museum
- Night Market
Stay
Rattanasawan Hotel, Hoongthip Hotel, and Sala Savan Guesthouse. Rates range from USD 20 to USD 200. Those sticking to a budget can stay in Leena’s Guesthouse, Savan Phattana Guesthouse, and Joli Guesthouse which offer rooms starting at USD 12.
Wat Sin Jong Jaeng is one of the religious sites tourists can visit during their stop in the small village of Pakbeng. Although the temple’s exterior has undergone major repainting during the past years, it still retained some faded details including a mural of a mustached man carrying an umbrella, a character that is assumed to depict the early French visitors. Visiting this Wat after you’ve arrived is a great excuse to stretch those legs after sitting for several hours — even after 17:00, there are still a lot of things to do here including watching the sunset and the Mekong river, and chat with the local monks who want to improve their English.
Location
Wat Sin Jong Jaeng is located in Pakbeng, Laos.
Opening Days and Hours
Visitors can come to the temple any time.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Entrance to the temple is free.
How to Get There
- Fly to either Luang Prabang or Huay Xai via Lao Airlines.
- Board a slow boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai, or vice versa.
- Slow boats always make a stop at Pakbeng. Walk all the way to Wat Sin Jong Jaeng.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families
Time to Spend
Spending an hour around Wat Sin Jong Jaeng is enough.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
Wat Sin Jong Jaeng isn’t as crowded compared to the other Pakbeng attractions. Best time to visit is at 17:00, just in time to see the sunset.
Food
Pakbeng’s main road is filled with a number of dining options serving Indian, Western, Thai, and authentic Lao dishes. Must-try restaurants include Ounhoan Restaurant, DP Restaurant, Hasan Restaurant, and Monesavan Bakery.
Nearby Attractions
- Mekong River
- Mekong Elephant Park
- Hasan Restaurant
Stay
For those who prefer to stay indoors, Mekong Riverside Lodge, Monesavanh Guesthouse, Dockhoun Guesthouse, and Luang Say Lodge offer rooms at rates ranging from USD 25 to USD 150. Those who prefer to stick with their budget can rent a mattress and a mosquito net for USD 0.50.
Best visited during the day, Wat Chomkeo Manilat’s serene surroundings make it a perfect place for anyone who wants to meditate, relax, or simply observe the busy town of Huay Xai. The temple is a sight to behold — not only is it one of the most colourful, most elaborately designed temples you will see in the Northern Province, it also has immaculate, well-kept temple grounds frequented by monks and locals. It’s still possible to enjoy the place past 17:00 — aside from enjoying a stunning view of the Lao sunset, you can also help the monks improve their English proficiency by attending their English classes that start at 19:30.
Location
Wat Chomkeo Manilat is located at the main street of Huay Xai, Laos.
Opening Days and Hours
Temple can be accessed anytime.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Entrance to the temple is free.
How to Get There
- Fly from Vientiane to Huay Xai via Lao Airlines.
- From Huay Xai Airport, take a tuktuk to the town centre.
- From the town centre, walk all the way to Wat Chomkeo Manilat.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families
Time to Spend
You can spend an hour in the temple. You can opt to stay longer if you want to join in the English class for monks.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
Best time to visit the temple is during the early morning and in the late afternoon where you can get an amazing view of the sunset.
Food
Huay Xai is filled with restaurants that serve sumptuous dishes ranging from vegan meals to gastronomic meat menus. Dining options include Terrasse Restaurant and Chill Place, Dream Bakery, Muang Neur, Tavendeng Restaurant, and Bar How.
Nearby Attractions
- Fort Carnot
- Gibbon Experience
- Project Kasjiab
Stay
Hotels located near Wat Chomkeo Manilat offer accommodations at rates ranging from USD 20 to USD 150. Choose from Sawadee Homestay, Oudomsin Hotel, Riverside Huay Xai, and Hompho.
*Banner image is a generic photo and not an actual photo of the attraction.
The tourist destination perched beautifully on top of a hill and considered as a symbol of the province of Oudomxay is popularly known as Phu That, a special temple where locals hold religious ceremonies and festivals every full moon. Believed to have been built during the 14th-century reign King Phachao Xaysetha Thirath, Phu That stands out among the rest of the temples thanks to its elegant stupa guarded by a gilded, golden Buddha. If you want to catch the beautiful Lao sunset after a day of walking and touring around villages, Phu That is the place to go.
Location
Phu That Pagoda is located at Muang Xai, Oudomxay.
Opening Days and Hours
Phu That is open from 8:30 to 18:00.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Entrance fee costs LAK 5,000 (USD 0.60).
How to Get There
- Fly from Vientiane to Oudomxay via Lao Airlines.
- From the airport, hire a tuk-tuk to take you to Phu That.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families
Time to Spend
You can spend at least one hour in Phu That.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
Although the best time to visit Phu That is during the sunset, it could get a bit crowded. If you want to stay away from large groups, visit during the morning.
Food
A variety of Lao, English, Chinese, and Korean dishes are served in various restaurants near Phu That. You can order meals and drinks from Souphaillins Restaurant, Siso Bakery, Muang Neua Restaurant, and from main road stalls which sell barbecue.
Nearby Attractions
- Oudomxay Museum
- Mekong Elephant Park
- Nam Kad Waterfalls
Stay
Decent and affordable accommodations are available at LAK 40,000 to 100,000 (USD 4.80 – 12.00) a night. Choose from nearby hotels such as Villa Keo Seum Sack, Lithavixiay Guesthouse, Phanmixay Guesthouse, Dokboadeng Guesthouse, and Vilavong G. H.