Buddha Park is a sculpture garden housing a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures in a park like setting on the banks of the Mekong river outside Vientiane.
The park, also known as Xieng Khuan and Xiengkuane Buddha Park was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bounleua Sulilat, a Laos national who later moved to Thailand where he created a similar park named Sala Keoku in Nong Khai, on the other side of the Mekong river.
Although often referred to as Wat Xiengkuane (Wat meaning temple), Buddha Park is not a temple, even though some of its sculptures like a large reclining Buddha are worshipped by local Buddhists.
Sculptures of the Buddha, Hindu Gods, demons & mythological creatures
The park houses over 200 sculptures made from concrete in varying sizes from small to very large. The sculptures of the Buddha, several Hindu Gods, demons and mythological creatures like a three headed elephant are pretty weathered, giving them an impression of being old.
One of the most striking sculptures is a giant pumpkin with three floors. At the front is a large mythological creature, its open mouth serving as the entrance. Its three floors represent Hell, Earth and Heaven. A staircase inside the pumpkin leads to the platform on top, from where good views of the park can be had.
Unfortunately, there are very few signs in English with information about the sculptures and their meaning. The sculpture garden is housed in a park like setting with lots of trees and good views of the Mekong river. On the grounds are food vendors, a gift shop and a restaurant overlooking the Mekong river.
Sculptures at Buddha Park