A Universe of Concrete and Spirituality

Created by the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat in the 1970s, this park holds hundreds of concrete statues, some of them up to 25 meters tall. It is a fascinating mix of Buddhist and Hindu mythology:

• Monumental Sculptures: You will see multi-armed deities, giant serpents, meditating Buddhas and epic scenes from the ancient scriptures. Every corner is a unique photo opportunity.

• The Wheel of Life: One of the most striking pieces is a circular structure representing the cycle of birth, life and death. It is a lesson in visual philosophy where you can walk through the different stages of human existence.

• The Master's Pavilion: The main building holds the mummified body of its creator, preserved under a glass dome, surrounded by thousands of small figures and offerings.

A Walk among Giants

Walking around Sala Keoku is an immersive experience. The patina of time on the concrete and the colossal size of the figures create a mystical, slightly mysterious atmosphere. It is the ideal place to reflect on the scale of art and faith in South-East Asia.

Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai, Thailand, is a deeply revered royal temple, famous for housing Luang Pho Phra Sai, a sacred golden Buddha image from the Lan Xang Kingdom. Originally known as Wat Phi Phiao (a cremation site), it was renamed during the Rattanakosin period and holds a central place in local culture, honouring the history of the city and the Mekong River.

Original name and origin: Initially known as Wat Phi Phiao, it was an abandoned temple used as a crematorium before being raised to the status of an important temple during the Rattanakosin era.

The legend of Phra Sai: The temple is home to Luang Pho Phra Sai, a striking golden Buddha image from the era of Lan Xang (Laos). Legend has it that it was one of the three images created by the three daughters of the king of Lan Xang (Phra Suk, Phra Soem and Phra Sai). “Phra Soem” represented the eldest daughter, “Phra Suk” corresponded to the middle daughter, and “Phra Sai” to the youngest daughter. The three images were kept in Vientiane until the reign of King Rama III, when they were taken across the Mekong River to their new home in Nong Khai. While Phra Sai arrived safe and sound at Wat Pho Chai, the image of Phra Suk was tragically lost when it fell into the water during the crossing, and the image of Phra Soem was later taken to Bangkok during the reign of King Rama IV the Great.

Every year, during the full moon of the seventh lunar month (June), a festival is held in which the people of Nong Khai gather at the temple to make merit and set off fireworks in celebration.

A Universe of Concrete and Spirituality

Created by the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat in the 1970s, this park holds hundreds of concrete statues, some of them up to 25 meters tall. It is a fascinating mix of Buddhist and Hindu mythology:

• Monumental Sculptures: You will see multi-armed deities, giant serpents, meditating Buddhas and epic scenes from the ancient scriptures. Every corner is a unique photo opportunity.

• The Wheel of Life: One of the most striking pieces is a circular structure representing the cycle of birth, life and death. It is a lesson in visual philosophy where you can walk through the different stages of human existence.

• The Master's Pavilion: The main building holds the mummified body of its creator, preserved under a glass dome, surrounded by thousands of small figures and offerings.

A Walk among Giants

Walking around Sala Keoku is an immersive experience. The patina of time on the concrete and the colossal size of the figures create a mystical, slightly mysterious atmosphere. It is the ideal place to reflect on the scale of art and faith in South-East Asia.

Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai, Thailand, is a deeply revered royal temple, famous for housing Luang Pho Phra Sai, a sacred golden Buddha image from the Lan Xang Kingdom. Originally known as Wat Phi Phiao (a cremation site), it was renamed during the Rattanakosin period and holds a central place in local culture, honouring the history of the city and the Mekong River.

Original name and origin: Initially known as Wat Phi Phiao, it was an abandoned temple used as a crematorium before being raised to the status of an important temple during the Rattanakosin era.

The legend of Phra Sai: The temple is home to Luang Pho Phra Sai, a striking golden Buddha image from the era of Lan Xang (Laos). Legend has it that it was one of the three images created by the three daughters of the king of Lan Xang (Phra Suk, Phra Soem and Phra Sai). “Phra Soem” represented the eldest daughter, “Phra Suk” corresponded to the middle daughter, and “Phra Sai” to the youngest daughter. The three images were kept in Vientiane until the reign of King Rama III, when they were taken across the Mekong River to their new home in Nong Khai. While Phra Sai arrived safe and sound at Wat Pho Chai, the image of Phra Suk was tragically lost when it fell into the water during the crossing, and the image of Phra Soem was later taken to Bangkok during the reign of King Rama IV the Great.

Every year, during the full moon of the seventh lunar month (June), a festival is held in which the people of Nong Khai gather at the temple to make merit and set off fireworks in celebration.

A Treasure Beneath the Waters

For much of the year the original stupa stays hidden under the water, but it is so important that local people built an exact replica on the bank so that they could worship it.

• The Mystery of the River: When the water level drops (especially in the dry season), the tip of the original stupa rises out of the river, covered in algae and sediment, a reminder of the power of the Mekong over human history.

• Site of Offerings: It is a place of great devotion. Many local people hire small boats to get close to the exact spot where it lies submerged and throw flowers or incense into the water, seeking the protection of the Nagas which, they say, guard the stupa beneath the riverbed.

• Views of Laos: Standing right at the water's edge, it offers one of the closest and most beautiful views of the Laotian bank, surrounded by an atmosphere of complete peace.

It is the ideal place to reflect on the impermanence of things and on the deep spirituality that unites the peoples living on the banks of this legendary river.

A Sea of Pink and White

Boating or walking beside these lagoons is an unforgettable experience:

• Enormous Leaves: You will see lotus leaves so large that they seem to float like green platforms on the water, creating a natural refuge for local wildlife.

• Living Symbolism: The guides will explain why the lotus is so sacred; just as the flower rises above the murky water to open to the sun, the traveler's journey through Isan is a search for enlightenment and peace.

• The Perfect Photo: The contrast between the vibrant pink of the petals and the blue of the Nong Khai sky gives you a postcard scene that captures the most serene side of your adventure.

It is the perfect moment of calm to enjoy nature before moving on to the mysticism of the temples or the adrenaline of the trails.