Religious site
That Dam
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That Dam, or the Black Stupa, stands as a dark, moss-covered monument in the middle of a roundabout in Vientiane. Unlike the gilded stupas elsewhere, its somber color comes from a layer of lichen and neglect. Local legend says a seven-headed naga lives beneath it, protecting the treasure inside. The stupa was once covered in gold, but the story goes that the gold was stripped by Siamese invaders or, in another version, by the naga itself to prevent theft. Today, visitors can circle the stupa, read the informational plaque, and imagine the mythical serpent coiled below.
Don't miss
- Observe the unusual blackened surface caused by centuries of weathering and lichen growth.
- Read the legend of the seven-headed naga that supposedly guards the stupa's hidden treasure.
- See the contrast between this unadorned stupa and the glittering golden stupas elsewhere in Laos.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit That Dam
You can visit That Dam on your own. A guide is worth it for the history and detail that is easy to walk past, and a tour can combine it with nearby sights.
Cheapest way inLaos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time4.6★ · 18 travelers1-2 hoursFrom$9 per personSee dates →
Best full dayVientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide4.9★ · 91 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$125 per personSee dates →
Private & flexible1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide4.8★ · 17 travelers10-11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$200 per personSee dates →Getting there
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