The Finest Fifty Years of Lao History Told Through Four Temples (And a Stupa)

Modern day Laos was once known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang, the Kingdom of a Million Elephants. Its founding goes back to King Fa Ngum in 1353 but it reached the zenith of its power in the sixteenth century. During a period of about fifty years three kings extended the power of Lan Xang to reach over all of modern day Laos and Northern Thailand. During this time these kings promoted Buddhist culture and built some of the most important Buddhist temples and stupas in Laos, sites which today are still highly revered by the Lao people whilst being promoted as major tourist attractions. In this article we visit five of these magnificent Buddhist sites and explain their place in Lao history.

October 28, 2023 0

Modern Lao History Through Three Luang Prabang Hotels

Luang Prabang is a hot tourist destination noted for its beautiful temples and French colonial era buildings. But in the last century it was caught up in turbulent events as Laos struggled for its independence amidst the Second World War and then the Indochinese Wars. For visitors with an interest in history three beautiful hotels, each with a connection to former Lao princes, make the perfect backdrop to learn about the modern history of Laos.

June 24, 2023 1