The Patuxai Victory Monument in Vientiane, Laos, offers more wonders beyond the gate

I have finally arrived at the other side of the 'Any Door'—Vientiane, Laos. Vientiane, the capital city closest to the border in the world, is crowded with vehicles and people, resembling a county town in my country, yet it has a turbulent history and a strong Buddhist ambiance. The Patuxai Victory Monument is a true 'Any Door' in the real sense, actually a monument. At first glance, it looks like Western architecture, but upon closer inspection, it is very Southeast Asian. The tower is topped with a torana, and the interior is carved with a multitude of Buddha statues, resplendent in gold. On both sides of the monument, traffic flows like water and horses gallop. Patuxai Square gathers tourists from various countries, with government institutions on each side, combining a transportation hub, political and cultural center, public leisure square, and popular tourist check-in spot all in one. The surrounding music fountain and park were built with Chinese aid. Since 2019, the 'Vientiane New World' lanterns have been added, a gift from Zigong City, Sichuan Province, to the people of Laos for the '2019 China-Laos Tourism Year', made from more than 150,000 pieces of Zigong's characteristic porcelain, tied up to resemble the torana of Wat Si Muang. The World Peace Gong Pavilion donated by Indonesia is also very meaningful. It's worth visiting several times, whether to take photos and check in during the day, to enjoy the view from above, or to admire the fountain and night scenery in the evening. 🏛️Ticket: To climb the tower for a view, 3000 kip (about 2 RMB, open from 8:00 to 17:00 Lao time) 🚉Travel Tips: 1. The Patuxai Monument is about 5 kilometers from the center of Vientiane. Renting a bicycle and visiting it along with the nearby Wat Si Muang is the best plan. 2. No matter the season, pay attention to sun protection during the day, and prioritize physical sunscreens. 3. There's no need to recommend nearby snack shops; stumbling upon them is even better.