Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khuan)

Though the locals call it Wat Xieng Khuan, this attraction 25 km outside the city limits it not a temple but an outdoor collection of religiously-inspired statuary.

The huge images were built in the 1950s by Lao mystic Luang Pu Bunleae Sulilat who hoped to unite the Buddhist and Hindu faiths with his art.

The grounds are peaceful and well-manicured, and the combination of the lush foliage, riverbank scenery and bizarre statues make for great photos. Some of the pieces are so large that it's hard to do them justice with a picture. This is particularly true of the 50 metre-long reclining Buddha, so most visitors climb on top of it for a photo opportunity and a scale reference. Another highlight is a giant pumpkin with three levels representing hell, earth and heaven. You can go inside via a demon's mouth and ascend the narrow staircase all the way to heaven (the top) for a good viewpoint of the park.

There are more than 200 sculptures in the park but very little information in English about what they represent. If you're interested in learning more about the mythology, the monks who hang around the park are usually happy to educate tourists.

Most of the sculptures face away from the Mekong, so a visit in the early morning will offer better light than the afternoon for taking photos. The park has a full range of facilities including a gift shop, restaurant, and food vendors, the latter making the spot perfect for an impromptu picnic.

The creator of Buddha Park left Laos in the 1970s and went on to create the bigger Wat Khaek sculpture garden across the border in Nong Khai. If you've visited Wat Khaek you may be a bit disappointed by Buddha Park, but otherwise it's one of Vientiane's top daytrips.