Black Stupa (That Dam)
Black Stupa (That Dam)
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
589 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
157
Average
286
Poor
64
Terrible
11
Doc Bok
Vientiane, Laos266 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Said to have once been covered in gold, it is fallen into disrepair and blackened as time has moved on. Local legends say that a Naga lives inside the stupa.
It's a place to take a picture or two, and can be a comfortable place to rest on a city walk. Not a must see, but interesting nonetheless.
It's a place to take a picture or two, and can be a comfortable place to rest on a city walk. Not a must see, but interesting nonetheless.
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UK-Colorado
London127 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Going to see 'That Dam Stupa' just made me smile. In all seriousness: That Dam translates to 'Black Stupa.' This holy stupa is believed to be a gate between the world of people and the naka (dragon) world. Many Lao people believe it is inhabited by a seven-headed nāga who tried to protect them from an invasion by the Siamese army in 1827.
It's not maintained and will sadly fall into disrepair because of all the plants growing on it; but that also gives it some charm. It quietly sits in the center of a roundabout by some restaurants. If you're going to walk to Patuxay Monument or are headed to the Vientiane Center Lao mall, go walk by this piece of history. It's a 5 minute stop.
It's not maintained and will sadly fall into disrepair because of all the plants growing on it; but that also gives it some charm. It quietly sits in the center of a roundabout by some restaurants. If you're going to walk to Patuxay Monument or are headed to the Vientiane Center Lao mall, go walk by this piece of history. It's a 5 minute stop.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason S
Melbourne, Australia2,667 contributions
Jan 2020
I’m not sure how to grade “that dam” as by looking at it you think it has been neglected and it’s run down with the weeds growing out of it and the blackening look in some areas.
Or does the weeds and grass look give it character and that sense of age to the structure!!!!!
Some of the temples in Cambodia are like that and you go wow with trees etc growing through them.
For me it looked run down and isolated with houses around the stupa.
It’s free to see so if in the area poo in and have a look you only need 5 minutes.
It’s located close to the presidential palace.
Or does the weeds and grass look give it character and that sense of age to the structure!!!!!
Some of the temples in Cambodia are like that and you go wow with trees etc growing through them.
For me it looked run down and isolated with houses around the stupa.
It’s free to see so if in the area poo in and have a look you only need 5 minutes.
It’s located close to the presidential palace.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
milliesmum2016
Christchurch, New Zealand1,766 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
I really liked this little Stupa which is just sitting calmly in the middle of a city roundabout minding its own ancient and secret, sacred business. You will come across it as you do the Vientiane City rounds. It's down to it's old red brick carcass and is fetchingly festooned with self sown plants and weeds. It's very sweet and is probably my favourite Vientiane monument in it's own unassuming way.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ManngaDua
Singapore, Singapore540 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Thw stupa is at middle of busy road. Kinda surprise that they could conserve this sacred monument. As I studied Sanskrit, Buddhism culture is very interesting. I hope they will keep this stupa for long time. It is acutally beautiful monument, which people may pass by.
Written March 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeMoreLiveMore
Singapore, Singapore508 contributions
Dec 2019
This is not going to occupy much time. It is an old stupa in the middle of a road intersection, with only eateries around. However, I would recommend making a detour to take in this site. It is beautiful and has a long history to it.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyB
Helsinki, Finland247 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
Nice little piece of history in the capital city of Laos. Be mindful of the traffic. There are a few park benches by the monument where you can enjoy an icecream etc.
Written November 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G2Kpauly
Melbourne, Australia3,603 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
It's cool to have a quick look and a photo of this impressive stupa. If in area walk past and see it.
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel W
Subiaco, Australia153 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I literally stumbled across this, was in a bit of a daze, hungry and not really sure what I was after other than knowing I wanted to get out of my hotel. The history of this area is emphasised by this Stupa. A great introduction for me for what this town has to offer
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gclarke05
Norwich, UK52 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
This Stupa it has to be said has seen better days. It is overgrown with vegetation and the stonework needs restoration.
The Black Stupa clearly is suffering from a lack of funding.
The Black Stupa clearly is suffering from a lack of funding.
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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