Xieng Khuan

LAOS, Vientiane

Xieng Khuan means Spirit City and it is also known as Buddha Park. It is a sculpture park built by Bunleua Sulilat in 1958.
The park houses over 100 Buddhist and Hindu statues sculpted by artists led by Bunleua Sulilat. It is a symbol of the harmonious exchange between different religions in Laos. The themes of these sculptures include Sakyamuni Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Shiva, and Vishnu. They are made of concrete and are in various styles, with some sitting, some standing, and some in a reclining posture.
The most significant sculpture is an 11 m high, 48 m long Reclining Buddha. The Buddha wears a smile on his face and reclines on his right side, with his head supported by his arm. The buddha has curly hair and a pointed usnisa. To the west of the Reclining Buddha, there is a three-story high structure which represents the three realms of heaven, earth, and hell. The entrance is through the mouth of a demon. On its roof there is a flaming spire. Each story inside the structure contains sculptures, which include a golden Buddha statue enshrined on the third story.