pha that luang,'great stupa' gold-covered large buddhist stupa in the centre of vientiane, laos,south east asia

pha luang laos king setthathirat vientiane revered statue capital city entrance landmark buddha lao culture buddhism travel destinations monument religion asia palm trees national southeast asian gold golden tourist site nationalism plants stupa buddhist temple divine reincarnation vibrant shining eastern religious vacations traveling french colonial worship wat important historic ancient 'great stupa' gold-covered large centre south east established 3rd century color gleaming sunlight symbol