KOREA FOUNDATION

Pha That Luang is a magnificent stupa and a major symbol of Lao PDR, a majority Buddhist country. The stupa is said to first have been built in the year 236 of the Buddhist calendar (third century BCE) and was then rebuilt by King Setthathirat in 1566 into what it is today. Pha That Luang is covered in gold and stands 45 meters high. The center of the stupa is reminiscent of an elegant lotus bud.

According to legend, the gigantic bell-shaped Shwedagon Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist pagoda in the world, built during the lifetime of Gautama Buddha. The entire body of the stupa is covered with gold plates donated by the people of Myanmar, amounting to an estimate of at least 30 tons of donated gold. This practice continues and the stupa is overlaid with additional donated gold each year. The Shwedagon Pagoda is beloved by Myanmar citizens as a good spot for a romantic date, a place to rest with family and friends, and an important location for Buddhist devotees.

Wat Arun is perhaps the most eye-catching structure along the Chao Praya River and is a symbol of Bangkok. It is also called the “Temple of Dawn.” Known for its beauty, the temple is well-balanced to be admired from any angle, and a close look reveals a succession of gorgeous flower-shaped tiles. Its tallest tower stands some 104 meters tall and the temple takes on a variety of colors, transforming by sunlight in the day and artificial lighting at night.

Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is the largest monument and the best preserved temple among Cambodia’s Angkor ruins. Many scholars believe that the temple complex was built with the intention of later being used as the mausoleum of King Suryavarman II. It is oriented to the west, with the many reliefs within proceeding in a counter-clockwise direction as per Hindu funeral culture. Angkor Wat is recognized for its superb composition, balance, proportions, sculptures, etc.

Located in northern Viet Nam, Ha Long Bay has an area of 1,553 ㎢. The bay, which is Viet Nam’s number one resort destination, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 in recognition of its scenic beauty. Its limestone islets, caves, and hills, carved out naturally over a long period of time, take on fantastic shapes and create a magnificent view of delicately changing sights and colors according to variations in weather and sunlight.