At the north east end of Lane Xang Avenue, an imposing structure resembling the Arc de Triomphe proudly stands. It is the Patuxay or Victory Gate of Vientiane and is located in the center of the city. Patuxay was built over a span of a decade in the 1960s as a commemoration of those who fought for independence from the French in 1940s. It was designed by a Laotian architect. Though it is patterned from the Arch de Triomph in Paris, it is decorated with many Buddhist mythological characters such as of Kinnari half-female and half-bird figures in both sculptures and paintings.
Nowadays this place is used as leisure ground for the people of Vientiane and the top of the building serves as excellent view point over the city of Vientiane.
The fee for climbing up to the top of Patuxay is 3,000 kip per person.