The Golden Stupa or Pha That Luang, located in the national capital city of Vientiane, is the most important religious monument of Laos. 

Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival is Boun That Luang, which is celebrated for over three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November, sometimes October).

People come from far and near to participate in the revelries.The procession begins at Wat Si Muang in the city center and proceeds toward Pha That Luang. Upon arrival, people revolve around That Luang three times clockwise, led by monks chanting ancient hymns of Buddha. 

The following morning "tak bat" ceremony is performed. Huge crowd assembles at That Luang to give alms to hundreds of monks who come here from around the country, pay homage to the stupa, and listen to prayers quietly. When the formal part ends, people go inside Pha That Luang to pray.

After religious ceremonies are over, people go out for picnics with friends and family. 

During the full moon, people gather around Pha That Luang for one last candlelight procession. 

During the entire festival, trade fairs, concerts, and fun fairs are organized in the esplanade outside the iconic monument.

What are the cultural elements that best represent Asia? Follow up the "Know Asia Better" series. It will offer you a glimpse of 47 Asian countries, through architecture, art or cultural figures to show you a diversified Asia that you may never have noticed before. Themed in the exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and building a community with a share future for mankind, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May.

(Cover image designed by Fan Chenxiao)