Laos: Simply Beautiful Trivia Quiz

Answer: Buddha Park, Xieng Khuan

The park is inhabited by over 200 concrete statues of humans, gods, animals, and demons. Though the statues appear ancient, they were actually built starting in 1959 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat. The creator fled to Thailand after the 1975 revolution and built a second sculpture park.

Answer: Pak Ou Caves

There are two caves, both of which have wooden figurines of the Buddha in various poses. The caves are to be found about 50 feet above river level where the Mekong joins the Nam Ou River.

Tham Ting, the lower cave, does get some filtered light. However, torches are required for the upper cave, Tham Theung.

Answer: Plain of Jars

In the Xiangkhouang Province over 90 sites have been located with jars. The jars are all hewn from rock (sandstone, granite, conglomerate, limestone and breccia) and vary in size, though they are cylindrical. Sites have been found with as few as a single jar, or as many as 400.

Answer: Vang Vieng

This tourist town has had an influx of backpackers trekking or hiking the local landscape. In addition tourists can enjoy tubing, climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking.

With the influx of tourists and their different behaviors an "awareness program" was started by Laos National Tourism Administration to encourage tourists to respect the natives, and warn the natives not to behave like the tourists.

Answer: Vat Phou

Originally dedicated to Lord Shiva when built in the 11th and 13th centuries, it is now a Theravada Buddhist temple. The complex includes buildings called palaces which are set at the start of a long causeway and stairs leading through terraces to a building named the sanctuary.

The site is now open for tourists and includes a museum.

Answer: Royal Palace, Haw Kham

The Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, was built for King Sisavang Vong in 1904. After the communists overtook the government, the royal family was sent to re-education camps and the complex became a museum. The King's reception room is painted with murals by Alix de Fauntereau, meant to be viewed at different times of the day.

Answer: Haw Phra Kaew

King Setthathirath built the temple for his personal worship around 1565. The Emerald Buddha would stay there for over 200 ears until the temple was destroyed and the Buddha was taken to Thailand.

In 1816 the temple was rebuilt by King Anouvong only to be destroyed in a rebellion against Siam.

The current temple was rebuilt from 1936-1942 and in the 1970s was converted to a museum which includes many pieces of Laotian religious art.

Answer: Wat Si Muang

The wat was built on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu temple, and some of the statues reflect that. Particularly striking is the Na Plok Buddha sitting under the Bodhi Tree, with nāga Mucalinda protecting him from rain. This statute represents the story of Gautama and his enlightenment.

Answer: Patuxai

Designed by Tham Sayasthsena, the monument was originally called "Anousavali" or "memory". After the communists overthrew the government it was renamed Patuxai.

The monument is about seven stories high and has five towers. There are stairways to the top of the monument and viewing galleries.

Answer: That Luang, Great Stupa

Though rebuilt several times, the That Luang is considered to be a national symbol, dating back to the 3rd century. The 148 foot tall tower is covered with gold leaf, and it is believed to hold a relic of the Buddha.