Buddha Park

 

Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is a sculpture park in a meadow near the Mekong River 25 kilometers southeast of Vientiane, Laos. Despite the fact that it is not a temple, Wat Xieng Khuan may be referred to as one because it has several religious icons. Spirit City is the name given to Xieng Khuan. Over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues can be found in the park. Buddha Park is a tourist attraction and public park run by the socialist government.

Luang Pu (Venerable Grandfather) Bunleua Sulilat founded the park in 1958. Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat was a shaman and priest who combined Hinduism and Buddhism. A Hindu rishi with whom he trained in Vietnam inspired his distinct outlook. He departed Laos for Thailand after the 1975 revolution, fearful of the ramifications of Pathet Lao's control. He developed Sala Keoku in Nong Khai, another sculpture park. Both parks are only a few kilometers apart, directly near to the Thai-Lao border (Mekong river), and the Buddha Park's biggest monuments can actually be seen from the Thai side of the Mekong.

The statues are intricate and occasionally strange in design, and are built of reinforced concrete. The statues appear to be hundreds of years old, yet they aren't. Humans, gods, animals, and devils are among the sculptures. There are various statues of Buddha, Buddhist characters such as Avalokitevara, and Hindu characters such as Shiva, Vishnu, and Arjuna. Under the supervision of Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, these sculptures were apparently cast by untrained craftsmen. One of the most prominent sculptures resembles a massive pumpkin. It is divided into three parts, each representing one of the three levels: Hell, Earth, and Heaven. Visitors can enter through the jaws of a three-meter-tall demon head (9.8 ft) and climb stairwells from hell to heaven. Sculptures depicting the level can be found in each story. There is a vantage point at the top from which the entire park can be seen. Another park attraction is a massive 40-meter-long (130-foot) reclining Buddha sculpture.

The entrance ticket, which costs 5,000 kip, is reasonably priced. You will be charged 3,000 kip if you carry a camera. Tourists can take one of two types of public transportation. Tuk tuks or local taxis from Vientiene often cost between 200,000 and 250,000 kip for a round trip.

Take bus number 14 from Vientiene's bus terminal to the Laos-Thailand border or the Friendship Bridge if you want something cheap and exciting. 6,000 kip is the fare. For only 2000 kip, you may take a local angkot from the Friendship Bridge. Get off immediately in front of the entrance to Buddha Park.

 

Sources :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Park

https://travel.kompas.com/read/2013/08/06/0942215/Buddha.Park.Simbol.Kebersamaan.Hindu.dan.Buddha.di.Laos