Inside the arch is a sign with the following text:
At the northeastern end of the LaneXang Ave. arises a huge structure resembling the Arc de Triomphe. It is the Patuxay or Victory Gate of Vientiane, built in 1962 (B.E 2505)*, but never complete due to the country's turbulent history. From a closer distance, it appears even less impressive, like a monster of concrete. Nowadays this place is used as leisure ground for the people of Vientiane and the seventh floor on top of the building serves as excellent view point over the city.
*No, this is not a typo, they have an alternative calendar system by which we are now in the 26th century.
This seems rather harsh to me, especially to be posted on the monument itself. Although it's certainly a strange fusion of East and West, it has its own charm.
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| The ceiling of the arch. |
Like it's Parisian counterpart, you can climb through the inside up to the top, with interesting views along the way (and shop as you go: most levels have at least one shop).
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| A decorative window from the stairwell into the arch. |
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| View #1 |
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| View #2, the Presidential Palace |
Said palace at night...
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| More proof that I was there! |
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| To be fair, there's a lot of English in Laos--written and spoken-- and it's mostly pretty intelligible. |
bahahah I think they meant "no passing a gas"
ReplyDeletealso I agree that that's a bit harsh! I think it looks beautiful! Vientiane looks so stunning I almost want to go to Laos now! I never would have expected it, honestly, not knowing much about Laos except from the Vietnam War