Thought to have been built in the mid-16th century, this well-proportioned, 9m-high thâat is the second holiest religious edifice in southern Laos after Wat Phu Champasak. The Buddha is believed to have stopped here when he was sick during his wanderings back in ancient times. He rested by leaning (ing) on a hang tree (thus Ing Hang). A relic of the Buddha's spine is reputed to be kept inside the thâat .
Not including the Mon-inspired cubical base, That Ing Hang was substantially rebuilt during the reign of King Setthathirat (1548–71) and now features three terraced bases topped by a traditional Lao stupa and a gold umbrella weighing 40 baht (450g). A hollow chamber in the lower section contains a fairly undistinguished collection of Buddha images; by religious custom, women are not permitted to enter the chamber. The French restored That Ing Hang in 1930.
The That Ing Hang Festival is held on the full moon of the first lunar month.
That Ing Hang is about 11.5km northeast of Savannakhet via Rte 9, then 3km east; the turn-off is clearly signed. Any northbound bus can stop here, or you could haggle with a sakai-làep driver and will do well to knock him down below 100,000K return. Going by hired bicycle or motorbike makes more sense.
