Located a few kilometres north of the town, MandaLao Elephant Conservation is a sanctuary for elephants that have spent the majority of their lives working for logging throughout Laos. Concerned about the welfare of the pachyderms, the place offers them a dignified and comfortable life in harmony with nature. A truly intimate opportunity to share the life of elephants in their natural habitat while ensuring a pleasant life for them. You will spend time close to the elephants, accompanying them in their natural environment.

Its name means "Monastery of the Golden City" or "Monastery of the Flaming City". It was built in 1560 by King Sai Sethathirath, a patron of the arts, to commemorate the memory of Thao Chanthaphanith, a merchant from Vientiane who was (according to legend) elected King of Luang Prabang before Fa Ngum. Until 1975 it remained under the guardianship of the royal family. It is an absolutely sumptuous place from an artistic and architectural point of view. The roof perfectly illustrates the local style with its complex structure of superimposed planes, its golden façade with a red background, its square and black pillars decorated with golden stencils, and its roof almost reaching the ground. The legend of Thao Chanthaphanith is illustrated inside the vihan.

Outside, the bas-reliefs on black or red background, illustrate on the right the legend of Thao Sisouthone and on the left that of Thao Souttasom. At the back, the superb Bodhi tree - tree of enlightenment or tree of life - climbs up the façade. The remarkable tradition of colored glass mosaics is very old. At the top of the roof, the dok so fa represents the bouquet of flowers of heaven. The chapel of the funeral chariot of King Sisavang Vong is of Xieng Khouang style. The imposing golden wooden chariot, which is 12 meters high, was used to transport the remains of King Sisavang Vong to That Luang for his cremation in April 1961. As for the Standing Buddha Chapel, it houses a gilded bronze statue, a gift from the King of Thailand to King Sisavang Vong. The Red Chapel in the shape of a parallelepiped (two-story composite roof, red pediment with gold decorations in bas-relief) houses a bronze statue of Buddha lying down in expectation of Nirvana; a statue cast in 1569, on the order of King Say Sethathirath. It is one of the most venerated in the country. The magnificent mosaics on the walls of the chapel depict scenes of life in a traditional village of the time. One can admire houses, trees, horses, elephants, fishing and hunting scenes, as well as religious scenes. Vat Xieng Thong is a high place of worship, very important during the celebration of the Lao New Year (Pi May, mid-April). On the second day, the meu nao, the superiors of the vat of Luang Prabang, arrive carried by faithful on the occasion of a great procession, in order to proceed to the ritual watering of the images of the Buddha and to attend the sacred dance of Phou Nieu Nia Nieu, the mythological ancestors of the Laotians.

This superb palace faces Mount Phousi. It was built in 1904 by King Sisavang Vong. The architecture shows different influences: French classical foundations and traditional roof with a three-headed elephant as an emblem. The palace was inhabited by the royal family until the removal of the future king Sisavang Vatthana and the queen in the north of the country in 1975.

The main entrance opens onto a huge park, Sisavangvong Street. On the left, as you enter, you can see the statue of Sisavang Vong (sculpted in 1960 by a Russian artist) whose hand position - one evoking a promise, the other holding the Constitution of the former Kingdom of Laos - symbolizes the oath of loyalty to her people. The checkroom is behind the statue, you will have to leave your bags and cameras, forbidden in the palace, in a secured locker. On the right, stands Wat Ho Pra Bang which houses the Prabang, the standing golden Buddha that gave its name to the city. This statue of Buddha of Sinhalese origin (between the 8th and 9th centuries) is 83 cm high and weighs 40 kg. It was offered in 1359 by the Khmer king Praya Sirichanta to Fa Ngum, founder of Lane Xang, in order to reinforce the legitimacy of the latter who made Buddhism the state religion. Entering on the left: the King's Secretary's Hall where gifts given to the sovereigns by foreign heads of state are displayed, including a collection of exceptional handicrafts. On the right: the former king's room where Art Deco murals illustrate the traditional life of the time. They were painted by the French artist Alix de Fautereau in the 1930s. In addition to the furniture and objects that belonged to the royal family, there are busts of the various kings of Luang Prabang as well as magnificent bronze drums. On the way to the throne room, one can notice the collection of Sevres vases, as well as a representation (wooden cabinet on the right) of a Dutch merchant with a large hat, whose testimonies have contributed to the knowledge of Lao history.

The throne room, with its frescoes in colored mosaics on a red background (1963) illustrating life in the palace, is quite unusual. The wooden throne is decorated with gold leaves. In the showcases, are distributed various religious objects, including crystal Buddhas dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, brought back from That Mak Mo, ancient statuettes, swords of pomp, jewelry and toiletries that belonged to the queen. When you cross the throne room (in the direction of the visit) you pass in front of the library, then you reach the private apartments of the royal family. Art Deco style (1930), very chic at the time. The dining room and the bedrooms have been stripped of their original decoration. We then go through the left wing occupied by the reception room of the queen. Here are displayed the portraits of Their Majesties King Sisavang Vatthana, Queen Khamphouy and Crown Prince Vong Savang.

Behind the Royal Palace, you can visit the garage which houses the collection of cars of the royal family, including two Lincoln Continental of 1960, an Edsel of 1958, an old DS Citroen, but also a jeep and a small boat. A must-see visit to learn more about the history of the country!

The dynasties extend their powers to eventually rule, as early as the 9th century, over the entire Khmer territory and choose Angkor as their capital. However, the Khmer rulers honoured this place until the reign of the last king, Jayavarman VII, in the 12th century, and laid the foundations at Wat Phou. Later, this shrine became Buddhist and has remained so to this day. Every year, at the end of January or beginning of February, a festival takes place at the time of the full moon which attracts crowds of the faithful.

This site is older than Angkor Wat (by about two centuries). Francis Garnier rediscovered the site in 1866; the villagers then thought it had been built by people of another race.

Inscriptions dating from the ^5th and 6th centuries mention the presence of a temple in the mountain, but this has disappeared and has been replaced by the present site. Vat Phou as we see it today was built in the first part of the 11th century. Extensions and renovations were carried out in the 13th century. The complex is oriented along an East-West axis, climbs a mountain and leads to the sanctuary, located on a terrace at the foot of the cliff where the sacred spring flows.

The barays and the alley. On entering the site one first sees two barays, artificial lakes representing the ocean that surrounds the land, and then a sandstone terrace. A brick-lined driveway leads to an esplanade where two buildings face each other.

The palaces, Nandi temple, and the old Khmer road. The two rectangular buildings with an inner courtyard have carved pediments, dating from the 11th century (Koh Ker period). From here a central alley lined with partly destroyed galleries leads to a staircase. On the side (south of the alley), one can admire the remains of a mid-11th century building known as the temple of Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva's mount. Then a high road leads to the Nang Sida temple via Ban That where there are three Khmer chapels, 30 km to the south, and ends at Angkor.

The stairs and the terrace. The first staircase leads to a terrace, then to a second staircase at the foot of which are two buildings dating from the 13th century. Now partly destroyed, they both contained a Dvarapala or gatekeeper. Only the one in the north is still visible: he holds a club in one hand, the other is placed on his heart as a sign of respect. It would be a representation of King Kammantha. From the top of the second staircase one reaches a third one... which leads to the penultimate terrace and its six brick towers, whose period of origin is uncertain (11th century?). They contained Shivalinga. From here you can see the vast upper terrace.

The source (basement). Behind the portico, a rock shelter would contain the sacred springs. Archaeological excavations carried out between 1991 and 1993 revealed several successive developments in this area whose function was the collection and conveyance of water to the sanctuary. This unique layout is what makes Vat Phou so special. In the past, a small temple embedded in the cliff sacralized the spring water. Behind were found bronze Khmer statuettes of Vishnu, a female deity and effigies of Buddha. The water from the spring was collected in a basin of green sandstone and bricks and brought to the sanctuary via an aqueduct.

Pedestals unearthed around the spring bear witness to the presence of statues that have now disappeared, probably Shivalinga.

The sanctuary. It is on the upper terrace that the main sanctuary was built in the mid-11th century. Like all Khmer temples, it has a library and is bordered on the west by a 13th century stepped portico with two doors leading to the sacred spring area.

In the rock supporting the portico, behind the sanctuary, a sculpture of Trimurti, the Hindu trinity (Shiva, centre; Brahma, right; Vishnu, left) can be seen. The sanctuary is accessed through three gates: south, east and north. At the back, there used to be a Shivalinga sprinkled with water from the spring. Note: the permanent watering of the lingam is something unique in the Khmer Hindu religion. This gives a special character to Vat Phou. On the exterior facades, one can see the guardians of the doors and the Devata, female deities. The doors are all carved and we see mostly representations of Krishna, Indra, Vishnu, Shiva and illustrations of the Ramayana. This sanctuary has been converted into a Buddhist temple and contains recent statues of Buddha.

To the north of the sanctuary, one can see recent monastic buildings and further on, carved rocks: an elephant, a crocodile and a snake (naga). They would date from the 13th century (or earlier). Perhaps a place of sacrifice during the festivities of Vat Phou... See also the remains of much older sandstone meditation cells (walls, pedestals). A Buddha's foot is carved into the rock.

Around Vat Phou, 1 km south of Nandi temple, you can visit the ruins of Nang Sida temple dating back to the early 12th century. Further on is the temple of Thao Tao from the beginning of the 13th century. It is more difficult to access. On the other bank of the river, on the banks of the Nam To Mo, are the remains of another temple dating from the 7th and 12th centuries.

This is most certainly the emblematic monument of Laos, both historically and geographically. Originally, his name was Phra Tjédi Lokatchoulamani, which means "Divine reliquary", the precious summit of the world. That Luang is a more generic term that could be translated as Grand stupa. And you'll notice that every city has its own That Luang.

It is Asoka, a great Indian Buddhist ruler, who is said to be at the origin of the foundation of the vat, in the 3rd century BC. According to tradition, a fragment of the Buddha's iliac bone (some say a hair of the master) would have been deposited in the heart of the building. In any case, it is certain that between the 7th and 10th centuries, during the Sikhottabong period, otherwise known as the Mon period, That Luang was an important religious centre.

Subsequently, from the 11th to the 13th century, during the Say Fong period, the plain of Vientiane was occupied by the Khmers; a statue representing Jayavarman VII, who ruled Angkor from 1181 to 1218, was found near That, supporting the idea that That Luang was greatly influenced by the Khmer Empire. The strange statue at the entrance of the cloister also dates from this period. He is a Khmer-style guard, carrying a long club at the height of his lower abdomen.

The lower part of it having disappeared, one now has the impression that he is holding his sex in his hand. This is one of the many symbols that make it possible to associate this vat with the phallic emblem. In the 14th century, the kingdom of Lan Xang was created by Fa Ngum. Vientiane was then downgraded to Luang Prabang and the Vat That Luang was profoundly redesigned, so much so that the Khmer temple was replaced by a laterite stupa.

Nothing remains of this monument because it was covered by what was to become the present That Luang. It wasn't until the 16th century and the reign of Setthathirath that Vientiane regained its hegemony, and That Luang the form it takes today. In 1566, this vast building, 54 m long and 45 m high, was inaugurated. One could already admire the bulb in carafe finished by a gilded copper tip. The thirty small bells built on its perimeter, also called palami, represented the three degrees of each of the ten perfections of Buddhist doctrine.

In the seventeenth century, the That Luang truly became the symbol of national unity, then it was ransacked during the various wars, and left abandoned. However, the French School of the Far East became aware of its importance and, from 1930 to 1935, restoration work was undertaken. The stupa was rebuilt in the image of Louis Delaporte's sketches, the cloister was rebuilt as well as the prayer pavilions and the entrance doors.

In 1957, for the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha's birth, the bulb and the lotus flower-shaped base were covered with a layer of gold. Today, the Vat That Luang is indeed the emblem of national identity. The That Luang festival is celebrated in every stupa in the country at the time of the full moon in October, in every That Luang in the country. It is particularly pompous and lively in Vientiane. This event will show you how much this monument can change its appearance and regain its bright colours when it welcomes monks and monks from all over the country. A true Buddhist pilgrimage to a sacred shrine in Laos.

The Li Phi Falls are close to Ban Khone, continuing westward, signs indicate the route. Once at the picnic area, you can walk along the edge of the rocks overlooking the waterfalls: nice viewpoint. It is advisable to go there one hour before sunset at the latest to have a nice light. Caution dangerous swimming at the small beach: risk of drowning due to strong currents.

Located in the south of the city, next to the sports field, this temple whose name means "the temple of the stupa" was built by Mangthatourath around 1818. Also called Wat Pra Mahathat, the pagoda was named after the Lanna-style temple in northern Thailand. It was built in 1548 by King Say Setthathirath, but was almost completely destroyed during the storm of 1900, as was Vat Ho Xiang. It was therefore rebuilt and renovated several times (the last time in the early 2000s). It shelters about ten Buddhas. Moreover, it is the seat of many festivals in honor of Buddha, and the population meets there frequently. During the Lao New Year, Pi May, this temple is very active. Until 1975, the temple was used to celebrate the funerals and cremation of the high dignitaries of the kingdom. You won't miss the stupa or that. The That Luang is square plan, redented. Second emblem of the country after the That Luang of Vientiane, it is a "funerary" building which would shelter relics of Buddha. The smallest golden stupa, opposite the sim, was built in 1820 during the reign of Queen Pathoumma. Since the 1960s it has contained the ashes of Her Majesty Sisavang Vong, who died in 1959. The Wat also has a number of smaller stupas containing ashes of kings and other members of the royal family. The complex is home to one of the largest monk communities in the city, in traditional-style living quarters.

In January 2014, Ineke and Olaf, a Dutch couple, launched this park project aimed at preserving the environment. The centre welcomes botanists, biologists, entomologists, as well as trained volunteers to form the park team. There are guided tours of the butterfly area. The park is also open to schools in order to make children aware of the wonders of nature and its vulnerability.

Located in the heart of the historic city, along Sakkarine Road, Vat Sene is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. Built in 1718 by King Kitsarath, the first ruler of the independent kingdom of Luang Prabang, on the site of an ancient shrine dating from the reign of Souvanna Banlang, Vat Sene Souk Haram literally means "temple of 100,000 treasures". It was the first monastery of Luang Prabang whose vihan (or sim) was covered with yellow and red tiles, of Thai inspiration in the Lanna style. At that time, such architectural audacity must have provoked a great outcry. The same type of colours can be found in the Vat Nong Sikhounmuang. Buddhist deities holding lotus flowers on horses and lions are represented in gold on the bright red walls. The windows are decorated with Khmer-style wooden balustrades and shutters. There are also two large dugout canoes used during the festival of canoes every year in August or September. This complex of the "Patriarch's Temple", as it is also called, houses a monastery with several dwellings for the monks, several stupas and chapels with Buddha statues, and a tower where a drum is enthroned. It was restored for the first time in 1932, and was restored a second time in 1957, on the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha's birth, when it was consecrated anew. Unfortunately the sim rarely opens its doors, but with a bit of luck...

Wat Choum Khong is located at the end of the alleyway housing the Heuan Puang Champa. The name of this temple literally means "temple in the heart of the Gong". It is a beautiful building built during the reign of King Sukaseum (or Sukaseum) in 1843 and has been renovated several times since then. This temple is one of the most flowery of Luang Prabang, we can especially see Bougainvilleas. Located in the centre of the peninsula, where the commercial and tourist activities of the city are concentrated, it enjoys great tranquility. Close to the Vat Xieng Mouane, it shares not only the same architectural style but also some of its walls. The sim, like the majority of the city's walls, is decorated with gilded doors and frames, and its facade has a finely carved wooden mantling. One will take time to stroll in its garden which houses some recent statues of Buddha in the traditional positions, stupas, a tower with a drum, and a small chapel. Two Chinese-inspired stone statues frame the stairs leading to the sim. Reflecting the elements of yin and yang, the statues represent two of the main bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism: Vajra, the lightning or thunderbolt, representing male principles, and Ghanta, the bell, representing female principles.

Next to the temple, you can see the former house of the prince, the Villa Xieng Mouane, which has housed the tourist information centre and temporary exhibitions since 2006.

These two caves are located in the south-east of the city, they were used as shelters during the bombings of the Vietnam War. Tham Kang is a vast cave open to the sky. Be careful: the stream can be deep during the rainy season. Not far from there, a little higher on the left is Tham Pha Kaew. The entrance is narrower, and you need a flashlight to explore it. From there it is easy to reach Ban Na, a typical small village (30 min walk).

The superb view of Luang Prabang and the surrounding mountains is worth the effort: a climb of 328 steps. It is advisable to go early enough in the late afternoon to admire the sunset. At the foot of the hill stands the 19th century monastery of Wat Pa Houak, whose façade is decorated with wood carvings and mosaics depicting Buddha riding Erawan, the three-headed elephant. On the north face, the remains of Vat Pa Phou Thabat can be seen. Despite the horde of tourists who flock there at the end of the day, the visit is well worthwhile.

The Vat Chomsi is at the top. This small cross-shaped temple was enlarged in 1796. On the last evening of Pi May(Lao New Year), it was once the starting point for the procession of Nang Sang Khan, tutelary deity of the New Year: a long procession descended the steps to bring the sovereign the support of heaven, the protection of the geniuses and the homage of the people. The Ramayana was then performed in the purest tradition. Nowadays, this procession has been replaced by that of the civil and religious authorities of the country, accompanied by Miss Laos and the inhabitants of the city.

The That Chomsi, also on Mount Phousi, is a stupa built in 1804 by King Anurut and restored in 1914 by Tiao Komakhoun Duang Chanh, director of worship at the time. Its base is rectangular and not square, like that of the other stupa. Since 1997, it illuminates the city with all its majesty.

On the other side of the Japanese bridge stands a large golden Buddha. You can reach it by road by tuk-tuk or scooter. The most courageous will park at the bottom and climb the 250 steps to the top. The interest of the site is its spectacular view on Paksé and the Mekong River. There is a peaceful atmosphere, conducive to meditation. Behind the Buddha is Wat Phousalao, a small and friendly temple where a monk will welcome you and offer you a blessing.

This monument stands on Lane Xang Avenue. Pátu means "gate" and xái is a derivative of Sanskrit which translates as "victory". It was built in the 1960s to honour the memory of the victims of the pre-revolutionary wars. It is possible to climb to the top from where there is a superb panoramic view of the city. The fountain built at the foot of the Patuxai is the meeting place of the youth of Vientiane. Lane Xang Avenue, in the middle of which it stands, is said to have been built by the Americans as an airstrip.

Vat Mai Suwannaphumaham, one of the largest temples in Luang Prabang, is located in front of the night market, next to the Royal Palace, making it one of the most visited. The Wat Mai, whose name means "new monastery", is said to have been built around 1796 under the orders of King Anurut, who wanted to build a monastery more beautiful than the others. It was then enlarged in the 19th century. It was during its restoration during the reign of King Manthatourat (1817-1836) that it took its final name. It benefited from major renovations in 1943 and 1962.
The roof of the sim is made of five wooden sections. The gilded motifs on the walls relate the legend of Pha Vet (Vessantara), the penultimate reincarnation of the Buddha, amidst village scenes. The magnificent red interior nave with its gilded motifs on the columns and walls, the various gilded Buddha statues, including the imposing central statue, are to be appreciated. Wat Mai is of particular importance among the city's temples, for a time it was the temple of the royal family; it also housed the Phra Bang, the country's national mystical emblem, after the Chinese invasion in the second half of the 19th century. It was also the residence of the highest Lao Buddhist dignitary, Pra Sangkharat.

During Pi May, the Lao New Year, the Phra Bang, the national emblem, is displayed for 3 days in a temporary pavilion in front of the sim. People from all over the country then come to sprinkle the sacred statue with water and make wishes.

Built between 2001 and 2003 with Japanese funds, the museum is first and foremost an interpretation centre, presenting and deciphering the site and its history. Numerous explanatory panels allow visitors to learn more about the site and its surroundings. It also exhibits a collection of objects discovered during archaeological digs, architectural elements and sculptures. It is strongly recommended to visit the museum before discovering the site to better understand the particularities of Vat Phou.

Located about 18 km from Vang Vieng, it is the most remote lagoon. Two different roads lead to the lagoon, allowing you to cross different small villages. Many signs indicate the access to different caves, waterfalls, or hiking trails. The Blue Lagoon 3 is located at the foot of a large karst mountain with a zip line for diving, big buoys and a basic but nice bar-restaurant. Ideal to relax for a morning or an afternoon. Nearby are two small caves without real interest.

This vat is a historical paradox as it is both the oldest and the newest temple in Vientiane. Indeed, it was built only a few years before the arrival of the Siamese in the city, at the beginning of the 19th century, but remains the oldest monastery as it is the only one that has never been destroyed by the invaders. Vat Sisakhet was founded on Thursday, March 4, 1819 by Chao Anou, the last king of Vientiane known as Anouvong.

At the time of its foundation, it had a name of Pali origin - Wat Sattasahatsa Vihararama - which means "monastery of the hundred thousand blissed". It is said to have been renamed Vat Sisakhet by the first Laotians who returned to Vientiane after their massive deportation on the right bank of the Mekong and who discovered this large statue of Buddha with his big head (sisa in pali) and the flame above it (ketu).

On the left, before the entrance to the cloister, is the old library of the temple. The large cupboard used to contain many manuscripts. The roof of the building (on four levels) is of Burmese inspiration.

Originally, the sim (or central shrine) and the cloister contained more than nine thousand statues of Buddha evoking the miracle of Sravasti. During the Siamese invasion, most of this wealth was looted and scattered, and if the soldiers did not burn down the monastery, it is said to have been because it resembled the buildings of the new Siamese capital.

Today, more than 2,000 small Buddha statues are arranged in small niches dug into the wall of the vat. In the courtyard you will notice a shelter enclosed by metal bars, where very damaged Buddha statues are piled up, often decapitated: they must have been melted down to make weapons during the Lao-Siamese conflict of 1828.

Inside the sim are tiny crypts dedicated to Buddha. Its wooden coffered ceiling is one of the strangest and if it reminds you of your visit to Versailles, it is not by chance. At the time of Louis XIV, Siam had a large delegation in France, and the French architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries had a definite influence. Note the lotus flower pendants and the stone statue of the Buddha on the altar, dating from the 13th century. Behind the sim is a long wooden naga which is used only to pour lustrous water (watering the Buddhas) over the Buddha statues during the Lao New Year, or Pi May Lao, festival. This vat definitely deserves a thorough visit.

This temple is in a very quiet area. Here you can admire many decorative works, such as paintings, gilding, stencils and woodwork. The monastery of the "joyful sounds" was built in 1853 by Phagna Phimphisane. In the past, it had a copper-plate floor. Its frescoes tell the legend of its creator. Those inside, behind the altar, represent the miracle of Savatti during which Buddha, outraged by an incredulous prince, multiplied infinitely his image in the sky to convince him.

Vat Ho Phra Kèo is not a simple temple; it is a palace monastery - Vat Ho - whose maintenance was not ensured by monks, but by the sovereign himself. Vat Ho Phra Kèo literally means "Emerald Buddha's palace monastery", it was built to shelter this famous Emerald Buddha whose story follows.

In 1545, Setthathirath, who was to make Vientiane the capital of Lane Xang, was only 12 years old when his father, Phothisararath, appointed him to the throne of Chiang Mai at the request of the notables of this small kingdom then called Lan Na. Phothisararath died accidentally shortly afterwards and the young Setthathirath was called to succeed him. In honor of his reign, the notables of Chiang Mai presented him with a gift: a small jade colored statue of Buddha sitting in the meditation position, Phra Keo.

Luang Prabang already possessing the Phra Bang, the young sovereign decided to install this Buddha in the enclosure of his new residence in Vientiane. The palace monastery then had a proud appearance with its huge gilded and carved wooden doors, its red and gold murals, and its slender roof with a triple-slope break. However, relations deteriorated between the ancient kingdom of Lan Na, under Siamese rule, and that of Lane Xang. Ayuthya, the Siamese king, made it a point of honour to recover Phra Kèo which he considered as part of his national heritage. In 1779, following the defeat of the Lao army against the Siamese, the Emerald Buddha definitively took the road to Bangkok where it is today exposed in another Vat Ho Phra Kèo (Wat Phra Kaew as it is called in Thailand). In 1828, Vientiane was burnt to the ground; the vat remained in ruins until 1936, when the Laotian and French authorities decided to restore the monument. Under the direction of Prince Souvanna Phouma, a public works engineer by training, the building was rebuilt on the model of the old one, the aim of this reconstruction being to turn it into a museum of religious arts. The pieces that had been stored in various monasteries were transferred there and, in 1954, those from the Lao collection of the Louis Finot Museum in Hanoi were added to the collection. Today, one can admire some beautiful pieces: stelae engraved with Mon inscriptions; sumptuous golden throne; statues of Khmer origin and a number of wood carvings, including these superb carved doors which are one of the main treasures of Lao art.