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under the lower cave (Tham Ting). There are actually two caves - Tham Ting (lower cave) & Tham Theung (upper cave). The caves are noted for their impressive collection of Lao style Buddha figurines that have been placed here over the centuries by local people & pilgrims. The white path along the front of the cliff leads to the upper cave. The caves were converted into Buddhist temples in the 14th century & have been used since as a storage site for old Buddha images that can no longer be venerated in a temple, either because they are damaged or the temple they were displayed in has been destroyed. Since then, more than 4,000 Buddha figurines, mostly the standing Buddha of the Luang Prabang style, have been placed in the caves.
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Asia
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