More than 2,100 tubular megalithic stone jars are part of the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang. They were used for burial practices during the Iron Age; the archaeological sites date from 500 BCE to 500 CE. Traces of the former Phuan Kingdom and memorial sites from the Second Indochina War also offer different ways to explore the region’s history.
Comparing the Jar Sites
Jar Site 1, also called Tong Hai Hin, comprises 334 jars and is located eight kilometers southwest of Phonsavanh. Check current local transport options for getting there. Jar Site 2, also called Ban Na Kho, is in Phaxay District and has 93 jars on two neighboring hills. Jar Site 3, also called Hai Hin Lat Khai and Ban Xieng Di, consists of seven groups; the main group, with about 150 jars, sits on a hill with scenic views. The number and arrangement of the jars distinguish the sites, without requiring you to use any single jar site as a benchmark.
A narrow path cleared of unexploded ordnance connects Jar Site 2 with Jar Site 3. Before setting out, ask locally about current conditions on the path. The route to Jar Site 3 crosses rice fields toward the lower mountainside, where a marked trail begins. This lets you experience the grouping on the hill and the described path through the landscape as different aspects of the site.
Phuan History and War Heritage
By the 13th century, the Tai Puan had formed an independent principality on the Plain of Jars that prospered through long-distance trade in metals and forest products. In Khoun Town, you can visit surviving structures from the former Phuan Kingdom on foot or by bicycle. Near the town, an easy path leads to the seated Buddha at Vat Phiawat, built in 1564. Together, these places show different forms of regional heritage: structures from the former kingdom and a religious monument with a known date.
Traces of the Second Indochina War are also part of the landscape. Jar Site 1 preserves trenches, foxholes, anti-aircraft positions, and tank tracks. There is also a war museum about the history of the conflict; check locally to see whether a visit is currently possible. At Site 21, a recently completed brick staircase leads to a bunker with a 100-meter-long tunnel and an observation tower. At the Phou Keng Quarry Site, also Site 21, there are finished and partially finished jars that show different stages of the manufacturing process.
The Xieng Khouang Provincial Museum has exhibits on the Plain of Jars and the Phuan Kingdom, covering the region’s prehistory. Another exhibition focuses on the Indochina Wars; the collections include textiles, clothing, musical instruments, and artifacts from the six main ethnic groups in Xieng Khouang.
Crafts and Regional Routes
In Ban Xang, you can watch Khmu and Tai Phuan crafts being made. The Tai Dam Culture Hall in Ban Xieng Kio welcomes visitors; the tour includes a traditional Tai Dam bedroom. Check the current arrangements for visits in advance. 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. Ask about current use before visiting.
The Northern Heritage Route includes the Ban Xang hot springs and the Tai Dam village of Ban Xieng Kio, and connects the provinces of Luang Prabang, Houaphanh, Xiangkhouang, and Sayabouly. Check current conditions in advance for specific visiting opportunities along the route. The Southern Jar Route includes three jar sites and Ban Napia, where spoons and other items are made from war scrap. The two routes therefore offer different focuses: the northern route on regional stops, and the southern route on jar sites and crafts.
Highland Landscapes and Travel Planning
The province lies on the mountainous Tran-Ninh Plateau at an elevation of more than 1,000 meters; temperatures are mild for most of the year. The Plain of Jars consists of grassy hills surrounded by steeper, forested hills and higher mountains. The Kha Waterfall offers another kind of landscape: it cascades down through limestone terrain for more than 100 meters. Water levels may vary with the season.
Bus journeys between Luang Prabang and Xiangkhouang take about 10 to 11 hours. Factor this travel time into your plans and check the current connection in advance, as road and operating conditions may change.
Discover more destinations: Ban Chao Lao, Ban Hai, Phonsavan, Ban Khon, Bokeo Province, Savannakhet, Champasak, Phongsaly.
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