Twenty minutes of walking from the Park, I finally arrived at the Patuxai Monument. Seeing from afar, it really is quite grand. Made out of concrete, this monument was constructed in 1957 in honor of their soldiers who fought during World War II and during the war against France in 1949. It was then completed in 1968.
Patuxai, when translated means Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph. Formerly known as the Anosavali Monument but for the French, they called this Monument Aux Morts. Also resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This monument is surrounded by a beautiful park and consists of five towers representing the five Buddhist principles of thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honor, and prosperity.
Getting closer, one would notice the intricate Laotian details this building was made. With exterior embellishments such as Buddhist religious symbols, stupa-shaped towers, half-female half-bird statues, and dragons, the Patuxai monument stayed true to its national culture and traditions. The blackened parts of the concrete building show how old this monument is.
The interior is also as beautiful as the exterior. When you look up, you will likely keep staring at it just like me. The walls and ceilings are painted with gods, goddesses, and elephants. I think they are gold plated as well. The building consists of seven floors with a viewing deck at the top which I loathed so much because it already closed when I arrived there. I would have seen a 360 view of Vientiane.
The beautiful park is meant to be enjoyed so I took the time to sit along the fountain on the other side of the monument. Little children playing around the park as their parents trotted along. Lovely couples walking past me and enjoying a conversation with their partners. And as the sky slowly turned dark, the lights on the Patuxai monument were turned on. It was impressive. I sat there for a few more minutes breathing in its splendor and beauty.
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