Historical sites in Laos

Historical Heritage

Laos' historical narrative spans from ancient civilizations to modern resilience. This collection includes the UNESCO-listed Khmer ruins of Vat Phou and the megalithic archaeological site of the Plain of Jars. In Luang Prabang, the 1904 Royal Palace reflects French colonial architecture and monarchic history. Vientiane’s landmarks, such as the Patuxai war monument and the National Museum, document the nation's 20th-century revolution, while the COPE Visitor Centre highlights the enduring impact of unexploded ordnance.

Mattun0211 / CC0

Vat Phou

Vat Phou is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. It is at the base of mount Phou Khao, some 6 kilometres from the Mekong in…

Mattun0211 / Public domain

Plain of Jars - Site 1

The Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological landscape in Laos. It consists of thousands of stone jars scattered around the upland…

Allie Caulfield / CC BY 2.0

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, Laos, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Gorgo / Public domain

Patuxai

Patuxai is a war monument in Downtown Vientiane, Laos, built between 1957 and 1968.

neajjean / CC BY-SA 2.0

Laos National Museum

The Lao National Museum is located in Vientiane, Laos. It was founded as the national museum highlighting the revolution of the 1970s and is…

COPE Visitor Centre

An educational center documenting the history of unexploded ordnance in Laos and the Secret War. Exhibits detail the impact of cluster munitions on local communities and showcase the rehabilitation work and prosthetic manufacturing provided for survivors.