The Golden Stupa of Pha That Luang is a national symbol of Laos. The central golden dome gilded with golden leaf at 45 m height towers over the capital Vientiane. The initial stupa is believed to have been erected in the same place in the third century, when Buddhist monks brought a holy relic (a piece of breastbone of the Buddha) from India. The Great Stupa since its construction in 1566 has been rebuilt several times. The current structure is from the last restoration efforts conducted by French in 1930. The golden structure of That Luang contains several smaller stupas inside. The lacquered doors and gilded walls shine bright under the sun making it appear like a Golden fortress. That Luang is a centre of Boun Thatluang Festival every November, when thousands of Buddhist from Laos and neighbouring countries make a pilgrimage to The Great Stupa. Walk around this Buddhist edifice and marvel at the glory of its grandiose past. The closer look at the architecture of the Golden Stupa reveals how unique it is!