THAT ING HANG

It is one of the most important religious monuments in the province. Dating from the 16th century, this 9-meter high stupa is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. It is said to house the relics of Buddha's spine, as well as the stump of the tree near which he gave his sermon in Pang Sing. Laotian, Thai and foreign Buddhists passing through Savannakhet make offerings and come here to recite prayers. This monument is said to date from the same period as the Pha That Luang in Vientiane, and according to some people, the Indian emperor Asoka ordered its construction. A festival is held for the thirteenth full moon of the year, which takes place during the third month of the lunar calendar. To visit the stupa, women must be dressed in a typical skirt, the pahsin (a kind of sarong), which can be rented at the entrance. It is also possible to be blessed by monks who will hang a small bracelet of coloured cloth on your wrist while reciting prayers. Stands at the entrance sell lotus flowers and coconuts for offerings. Possibility to get there by tuk tuk from the centre of Savannakhet or by scooter if you want more freedom, especially to visit the small villages in the surroundings. If you get a little peckish on the way back to Savannakhet, make a stopover on the banks of the Bung Va, a large lake on which many restaurants are located. It is an ideal place to admire the sunset.