万象-Vientiane.ppt

万象-Vientiane.pptIntroducing Vientiane ? Compared to the hectic, bustling capitals in other Southeast Asian countries, Vientiane's deliciously relaxing atmosphere makes it feel like the small town it is. ? Settled since at least 1000 AD, Vientiane became an important administrative city of the Kingdom of Lan Xang ("million elephants") in 1545. Today Vientiane is the largest city in Laos, with an estimated population of 210,000 in the city itself and some 700,000 in Vientiane Prefecture. ? This delightfully friendly capital, studded with crumbling French mansions, bougainvillea - -blooming streets and steaming noodle stalls, is somewhere between a big town and a diminutive city; the kind of place you might find a Graham Greene protagonist. Its pact travellers ’ enclave is based around Nam Phu , the Mekong riverside and Setthariat and Samsenthai streets. Full of things to see, from Buddha Park to the Morning market and an impossibly rich selection of international cuisine – most pointedly French – you ’ ll find yourself slowly won over by the easy charms of this evolving backwater. The city may reveal its beauty less readily than Luang Prabang , but spend a few days visiting its unusual sights, sampling its excellent food and enjoying a Beer Lao at sunset by the river, and you ’ ll soon feel at home here. Calm river Lao man walking into calm river near canoe Pha Tat Luang Festival 达銮节 Buddha Park ( Xieng Khuan ) 佛都? Buddha Park is a bizarre outdoor collection of huge concrete sculptures of Buddhist and Hindu deities and real and imaginary beasts. The reclining Buddha is especially impressive. Built in 1958 by mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat , who left the country after munist take-over and, in 1978, went on to establish a nearly identical park ( Sala Keoku or Sala Kaew Ku ) across the river in Nong Khai , Thailand . Located some 24 km from the city, it's about 6 km to the east of the Friendship Bridge - hence it's well worth