Xieng Khouang between the Plain of Jars and Phuan culture

Xieng Khouang lies on the mountainous Tran-Ninh Plateau at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. Temperatures are mild during most of the year. Grassy hills, steeper forested elevations, and mountains shape the landscape around the Plain of Jars. The archaeological sites there date from 500 BC to AD 500; the tubular megalithic stone jars were used for burial practices during the Iron Age.

Plain of Jars: Comparing Individual Sites

The number and arrangement of the jars distinguish the individual sites. Jar Site 1, also called Tong Hai Hin, contains 334 jars. Jar Site 2, also called Ban Na Kho, is in Phaxay District and contains 93 jars on two adjacent hills. Jar Site 3 is also known as Hai Hin Lat Khai and Ban Xieng Di. It consists of seven groups; the main group contains about 150 jars and is located on a hill with a panoramic view.

Finished and partially finished jars can also be found at Site 21, the Phou Keng Quarry Site. They show different stages of the manufacturing process. The route to Jar Site 3 crosses rice fields to the lower mountainside, where a marked trail begins. The sites thus offer different insights: at some, the focus is on the form and arrangement of the jars; at others, the manufacturing process can be traced.

Phuan History and Culture

By the 13th century, the Tai Puan had established an independent principality at the Plain of Jars, which prospered through long-distance trade in metals and forest products. In Khoun Town, you can explore preserved buildings of the former Phuan Kingdom on foot or by bicycle. An easy trail near Khoun Town also leads to the seated Buddha at Vat Phiawat, built in 1564.

The Xieng Khouang Provincial Museum displays exhibits on the prehistory of Xieng Khouang, as well as the Plain of Jars and the Phuan Kingdom. In Ban Xang, visitors can watch Khmu and Tai Phuan handicrafts being made. In Ban Xieng Kio, the Tai Dam Culture Hall welcomes visitors; a guided tour includes a traditional Tai Dam bedroom. Check the current visitor arrangements before visiting.

Waterfalls and Hot Springs

Kha Waterfall cascades down more than 100 meters through a limestone landscape. Water levels may vary depending on the season. The Ban Xang hot springs include pools where hot spring water mixes with cooler water from the Mat River, as well as an herbal steam bath. If you are planning a visit, ask about the current use of the pools and steam bath.

Planning Your Trip and Accommodation

Jar Site 1 is 8 kilometers southwest of Phonsavanh. Tuk-tuks and bicycles are mentioned as ways to get there; check the current transport arrangements locally. Bus journeys between Luang Prabang and Xiangkhouang are said to take about 10 to 11 hours. Regular flights from Vientiane to Phonsavanh are listed with Lao Airlines. Check current bus and flight schedules before your trip.

When choosing a hotel, it helps to first prioritize the visits that you want to define your trip: the jar sites, Phuan history and buildings, or the landscape. Then compare the actual routes from each accommodation to your planned destinations. This lets you tailor your accommodation search to your itinerary without assuming distances between the attractions.

Discover more destinations: Ban Chao Lao, Phonsavan, Ban Hai, Ban Khon, Savannakhet, Oudomxay, Khammuan, Houaphan.

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