King Setthathirath Statue - Image 1
1 / 3

King Setthathirath Statue

4.4
·76 reviews·Vientiane, Laos

Majestic statue honoring King Setthathirath, a revered Lao leader and builder of Buddhist monuments, situated at the sacred Phra That Luang.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early morning

Golden hour light & fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Loading map...
King Setthathirath Statue - Image 1

King Setthathirath Statue

Best Time

Early morning

Golden hour light & fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Majestic statue honoring King Setthathirath, a revered Lao leader and builder of Buddhist monuments, situated at the sacred Phra That Luang.

4.4
(76 reviews)

"A significant historical monument honoring a great Lao king, especially impactful when visited with the adjacent Phra That Luang."

Vertical photo
TIP

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders & knees out of respect for this sacred site. 🙏

Visit Phra That Luang

Don't miss the adjacent stupa, a major landmark. :temple_buddhist:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.4 · 76 reviews

Type

Monument

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

King Setthathirath Statue

King Setthathirath Statue

Phra That Luang Complex

Majestic statue of a revered Lao king, a symbol of national pride and historical significance.

Phra That Luang Stupa

Phra That Luang Stupa

Adjacent to the statue

Laos' most sacred Buddhist stupa, a golden marvel reflecting rich history and spiritual importance.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Respectful Attire is Key

When visiting the King Setthathirath Statue, remember it's a place of reverence. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, to show respect for Lao culture and Buddhist traditions. This is a common courtesy noted by many visitors.

Best Time for Photos

To capture the statue in its best light and avoid the midday heat, aim for early morning or late afternoon. The golden hour offers beautiful lighting for photographs, making your visit more memorable.

Best Times

When
Early morning
Why
Golden hour light & fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Beautiful light, cooler temps
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The Statue That Never Stops Crying#viral #fyp #foryou
@tinady43
133.3K likes • 2M views

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders & knees out of respect for this sacred site. 🙏

Visit Phra That Luang

Don't miss the adjacent stupa, a major landmark. :temple_buddhist:

The Statue of King Khafre of the 4th Dynasty is an impressive sculpture made of a very hard stone called diorite #sam_mayfair #learnwithtiktok #LearnOnTikTok #egyptology #ancientegyptians
@sam.mayfair
13.3K likes • 275.3K views
The Great Stupa & King Setthathirath Statue✨ The Great Stupa is the most important Buddhist monument in Laos. The large golden stupa is believed to enshrine a breast bone of the Buddha. King Setthathirath is the king of the Lan Xang Kingdom and founder of the monument. #traveldestinations #vientianelaos #phathatluang #southeastasiabackpacker #southeastasiatravel
kevintptran
0 likes • 470 views

Morning/Evening Light

Best for photos, avoid midday heat. :camerawithflash:

Learn Lao History

Understand King Setthathirath's legacy for a richer visit. 📚

King Setthathirath Statue 👑 in Vientiane 📍 Laos 🇱🇦 #FromLaosWithLove 🐘 . . . . Setthathirath (1534-1571) est considéré comme un des plus grands rois du Lan Xang (actuel Laos). . Facebook 👍 : Laos Daily Instagram 📸 : Laos_Daily Tiktok 🎥 : LaosDaily Send a message for inquiries 📩 We don't own the medias ❌ . . . . #FromLaosWithLove #iglao #travel #asia #indonesia #luangprabang #laostravel #southeast...
laos_daily
10 likes • 175 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders & knees out of respect for this sacred site. 🙏

Visit Phra That Luang

Don't miss the adjacent stupa, a major landmark. :temple_buddhist:

Morning/Evening Light

Best for photos, avoid midday heat. :camerawithflash:

Learn Lao History

Understand King Setthathirath's legacy for a richer visit. 📚

What Travellers Say

4.4
(76 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the King Setthathirath Statue to be a significant historical monument, particularly due to its prominent location at the sacred Phra That Luang complex. It's seen as a symbol of Lao pride and the legacy of a great king. While some note it's primarily a statue, its historical context and adjacency to the stupa make it a worthwhile stop for those interested in Lao culture and history.

"Just in front of the main entrance to the Phra That Luang Buddhist Stupa is the statue to King Setthathirath. He is regarded as one of the great leaders in The history of Laos. He reigned between 1534 - 1571 defending the kingdom of Lan Xang from various foreign invaders. The statue is particularly fine."

Nigel Fowler Sutton

"Historic place, you don't want to miss ut."

HAWK Khondakar

"King Setthathirath is considered one of the great leaders in Lao history. Throughout the 1560s until his death, he successfully defended his kingdom of Lan Xang against military campaigns of Burmese conqueror Bayinnaung, who had already subdued Xieng Mai (Chiang Mai) in 1558 and Ayutthaya in 1564. Setthathirath was a prolific builder and erected many Buddhist monuments including Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang, Haw Phra Kaew, Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan and the Pha That Luang in Vientiane."

Raphael Navarro

What People Like

Symbol of national pride
Historical significance
Location at Phra That Luang

What People Dislike

Primarily a statue

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The King Setthathirath Statue is located in front of the Phra That Luang complex in Vientiane. You can easily reach it by taxi, tuk-tuk, or a rented motorbike. Many visitors combine a visit to the statue with the stupa itself. 🚕 🛵

Yes, there is usually ample parking available within the Phra That Luang complex or nearby. It's advisable to arrive a bit earlier during peak times to secure a convenient spot. 🅿️

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The King Setthathirath Statue itself is generally accessible without an entrance fee as it's in an open area. However, there might be a small entrance fee for the Phra That Luang stupa complex, which is adjacent. 🎟️

The statue is accessible during daylight hours. The Phra That Luang stupa complex has specific opening hours, typically from early morning until late afternoon. It's best to check locally for the most current times. :clock3:

📸 📸 Photography

For the best lighting and fewer crowds, aim for early morning or late afternoon. The 'golden hour' before sunset provides a warm, beautiful glow on the statue and the surrounding Phra That Luang. :camerawithflash:

Generally, photography is allowed for personal use. However, always be respectful, especially if monks or religious ceremonies are present. Avoid intrusive photography. :iphone:

🎫 🏛️ History & Significance

King Setthathirath (reigned 1534-1571) is considered one of Laos' greatest leaders. He successfully defended the Lan Xang kingdom against invaders and was a significant builder of Buddhist monuments, including Wat Xieng Thong and Pha That Luang. 👑

The statue honors King Setthathirath's legacy as a defender of Laos and a patron of Buddhism. It stands as a symbol of national pride and historical continuity, located prominently at the sacred Phra That Luang complex. 📜

You may also like

1 of 2
King Setthathirath Statue (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide