Vientiane - City & Buddha Park, Vientiane Laos, Vientiane and Central Regions

Your local guide will meet you at around 8.30am for this full-day city tour, which visits the highlights of the capital. Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Nearby is Haw Phra Kaew, which contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. The main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok.

One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Putousay, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the Phra That Luang stupa. King Sethtathirat built this great sacred stupa, considered the national symbol, in 1566. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Next take a visit to the Talaat Sao Vientianes Morning Market. Try some local coffee and snacks while looking around.

After lunch at a local restaurant, head out of town to visit one of Laos slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. Built in 1958 this park on the banks of the Mekong River is the site of a large collection of many kinds of Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures. En route take a look at the impressive Friendship Bridge and the National Cultural Park, also on the Mekong River bank.

If you are interested in textiles and their production and time permits then pay a visit to Carol Cassidys Lao Textiles Gallery set in a traditional Lao home where you can see the silk weaving in process and view the unique textiles produced.