Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) Vang Vieng

Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) is a cave temple with a huge stalagmite resembling an elephant. Of course, the elephant is important to Lao people.

The cave is easy to visit and being open to the public, has paved floor and light.

It has a shrine with a Buddha statue flanked by naga, which are mythical snakes that protected the Buddha. The snakes - being mythical creatures - look actually more like dragons. The next huge Buddha statue lies and sleeps, watched by the sculptures of three worshippers.

Pilgrims visit the site every year, usually around the Lao New Year in April, to sprinkle water on the elephant head and pray for good health.