2025 Phonsavan Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

We travelled to phonsavan Laos and took a guided tour off the plain off jars. This cost forty usd per Person. We started our tour at the Xieng Kouang tourism office, and our guide explained to us about the American Secret War, which took place in Lao in 1960. we were then shown examples of bombs that were dropped here and unexploded bombs, which still cause problems today for locals. More bombs were dropped here than in the whole off WW2. from here, we then visited the plain off jars site one. This is the oldest site and a place off heavy fighting during the war. After here we had lunch. Then, in the afternoon, we visited sites 2 and 3. This is a must do in phonsavan, and I would recommend the guide we used Kong tours. #ancienthistory

#bucketlistreboot The nearest town for this UNESCO site is Phonsavan which is around 7.5 kilometers 15 minutes drive. It consists thousands of stone jars scattered around the upland valleys and the lower foothills of the central plain of the Xiangkhoang Plateau More than 90 jar sites have been identified, each holding one to 400 stone jars, diameter between 1 meter to 3 meter. Usuage of the jars, some say as a burial urn, some say for storage if clay, sugar and brew alcohol and store. Only a small portion can be safely visited because of the undetonated bombs scattered around, do not ignore the signs and wander off the paths. My guesthouse owner had help to book a tour on the site . If you come here, you are in a beautiful area surrounded by lush greenery, nature and the jars, get a tour guide, he will tell you the story and explained, that will be far more interesting.

The Pains of jars has become the third Lao UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019 The Plain of Jars is a group of fields containing thousands of stone jars cut out from rock thousands of years ago. The sites are located around the city of Phonsavan in Xiangkhouang province, North East Laos. While some of the sites contain just a few jars, others contain hundreds many of which are broken or have fallen over. The jars are believed to be about 2,000 years old. #ilovexiengkhuang #laos

After decades of struggle, the Plain of Jars was eventually designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. The Plain of Jars is known for its over 2,100 stone jars, which are said to have been used in ancient burial rituals. The Megalithic Jar Sites are a major archeological site as well as a popular off-the-beaten-path Laos travel destination for Instagram-hungry tourists. The Plain of Jars megaliths, found on the Xieng Khouang Plateau, weigh up to six tons and measure up to three meters in diameter, with some still having their lids on. Site 1 of the 90 known sites in Phovosan is the Plain of Jars' most famous area, whether it's the remains of a trading route or a burial hole. It is the third World Heritage Site of Laos. #hiking#ancientlandmark#ancienttomb#historicculture#nationalpark#naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails#urbanexplorer

Unique and important world archeological site! It was said to be for burial. Quite unique in the world. Plain of Vases in Phonsavan, Laos! #scenicspotguide

#springitinerary Hey explorers! 🕵️♀️ Just got back from Phonsavan—where ancient stone jars meet bomb-crater landscapes—and wow, this place is wild in the best way. Think Indiana Jones meets offbeat backpacker paradise. Here’s my raw, real, and slightly dusty weekend in Laos’ most intriguing town! 🪙 The Moment I Felt Like a Tomb Raider Standing in Plain of Jars Site 1, staring at 2,000-year-old megalithic jars the size of bathtubs, I had so many questions. Who made these? Why? How?! (Local legend says giants drank rice wine from them—I choose to believe this.) Pro tip: Go at sunrise—you’ll have the whole eerie field to yourself. 💣 The Bombie That Made Me Swallow My Gum At the UXO Survivors’ Information Centre, I held a cluster bomb pellet ("bombie") smaller than a tennis ball—the same kind still buried in Lao soil. Gut-punch reality check: Laos is the most bombed country per capita in history. Visit here. Learn this. 🍲 The Noodle Soup That Heated My Soul Phonsavan’s khao poon (spicy vermicelli soup) at Nisha Restaurant slapped me awake—in the best way. Turmeric broth, crispy shallots, and face-melting chili. The owner grinned as I chugged water: “Farang can’t handle Lao spicy!” 🔥 ⏳ My No-Frills, High-Impact Itinerary Day 1 – Friday Evening 4:00 PM: Rolled in on a dusty bus (pack wet wipes!). 5:30 PM: Sunset at MAG UXO Visitor Center (sobering but essential). 7:00 PM: Hotpot dinner at Craters Bar (bomb-themed, oddly cozy). Day 2 – Saturday 6:00 AM: Plain of Jars Site 1 (mystical morning light). 9:00 AM: Site 2 & 3 (hiked through cow pastures—yes, really). 1:00 PM: War-era Russian tank photo op (surreal AF). 4:00 PM: Mulberries Silk Farm (touch silkworm cocoons!). Day 3 – Sunday 7:00 AM: Morning market pho (extra herbs, zero regrets). 10:00 AM: Tham Piu Cave (wartime refuge-turned-memorial). 1:00 PM: Bus out, brain full of history. 💡 Hard-Earned Tips for Phonsavan Guides matter: Hire one at the Jars—they’ll point out unexploded ordnance (!!) and share oral history. Dress modestly: This is sacred + wartime land. Pack layers: Mornings = chilly, afternoons = furnace. Eat street food: The grilled dried buffalo is weirdly addictive. Phonsavan isn’t pretty—it’s powerful. Come for the jars, stay for the stories. Who’s brave enough to join me? #JarsAndBombs #LaosUntold #DarkTourismDoneRight

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Explore the Plain of Jars in Laos and uncover a thousand-year-old mystery. 🌟 Highlights: The Plain of Jars is a mysterious ancient site in Xieng Khouang, northern Laos, consisting of hundreds of giant stone jars. These jars date back to between 500 BC and 200 AD and are believed to have been used to store bones and sacrificial items. The Plain of Jars is still full of mysteries, attracting visitors from all over the world to explore. 🚉 Transportation: 1. From Luang Prabang: Take a long-distance bus or rent a motorcycle. The journey takes about 6 hours. 2. From Vientiane: Fly or take a long-distance bus to Xieng Khouang, then transfer to local transportation to the Plain of Jars. The whole journey takes about 6–8 hours. 📝 Tips: The roads in Laos are particularly bad. If you get carsick, prepare some motion sickness medicine. 🗓 Itinerary: 1. Best time to visit: The Plain of Jars is open all year round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April, when the weather is cool and the roads are in good condition. ✅ Must-do: The Plain of Jars is divided into three main areas: Sites 1, 2, and 3. It is recommended to visit in the following order: a. Site 1: This is the largest and best-preserved area of the Plain of Jars, with over 300 jars. Follow the marked paths to see them all. b. Site 2: Located near Site 1, it is smaller in scale, but the carvings on the jars are more exquisite. c. Site 3: Located further away from the first two sites, you will need to take a motorcycle or rent a car to get there. There are fewer jars here, but the environment is quieter. ⏳ Duration: It takes about 2–3 hours to visit the Plain of Jars. Visitors interested in archaeology can spend half a day exploring. 📝 Tips: 1. Wear comfortable clothes: The Plain of Jars is mostly gravel, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes. 2. Sun protection and hydration: The sun is strong in the Plain of Jars, so take sun protection measures and bring plenty of water. 3. Respect local customs: When visiting the Plain of Jars, respect local customs and do not touch the jars to avoid damaging the artifacts. 🌟 Local must-sees: 1. Xieng Khouang Market: After visiting the Plain of Jars, head to Xieng Khouang Market to taste local food and buy handicrafts. 2. Xieng Khouang History Museum: Learn about the history and culture of Laos. The museum houses artifacts related to the Plain of Jars. 3. Tropical rainforest adventure: There is a tropical rainforest near the Plain of Jars, where you can go hiking or kayaking and get close to nature.

#familytrips2024 This review is for the Plain of Jars Site 1 and the visitor center nearby. The entrance fee is 30,000 Kip per person, 5,000 for car parking. The transfer by golf cart (500m which can be easily walked) to the site is included. Beside two separate sites of site 1 you can see the bomb craters from the „secret war“ during the Vietnam war and a cave that is believed to have served as a crematorium. The site features the largest jar and another jar with the only human depiction/engraving. From site 1 you have great views on the surrounding countryside. There is a cafe at the visitor center, some stalls (mostly closed) and a toilet. Note that site 2 and 3 are some 20 kilometers away in a southern direction.

#familytrips2024 Fantastic museum full of interesting exhibits - history of the province and the different cultures which coexist here. Clear Laos and English information. Moving and engaging videos about different aspects of the province: plain of jars, the local ethnic groups, Indochina War etc. A good museum, highlights of Laos history. It has a theater room that you can watch some short films. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

#familytrips2024 Amazing historical site to see the amazing plain of Jars! These are so cool , and it is so interesting that Noone knows who actually made them, and what they are made for. So here you can use you imagination. It was also so interesting to see all the craters and effect of the American bombing and the uxos that left. Definitely a place you should visit while being in Laos!

#Songkran2024 tourist attractions Laos has many styles of tourist attractions to visit. It is a memorable and impressive place, even though it is far away. The journey is a bit difficult, but it is unforgettable. It is an unseen of Laos, Xaisomboun Province and Xiengkhouang Province. It is a small, lovely city in the middle of valleys, mountains, and forests that are still mostly fertile. This makes the air here fresh and cool all year round. The local people are friendly and lovely. Find a chance to travel. #Songkran2024 tourist attractions

#TravelLaos Food is not different from Thailand Atmosphere, people are lovely #Plain of Jars #Vientiane

I visited a simple Hmong village and observed their simple life #Shengkwan

Address: Xieng Khouang Atmosphere/Facilities: Classic Key Points: Quiet atmosphere, warm village residents Average price per person: 150,000 won Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ Five stars

#bucketlistreboot Ban Napia is around 30 kilometers 50 minutes drive from Phonsavan. People of this area have been very creative in using bomb shells- from a killing devices to construction materials or decorations. The people of this village found these bomb remains the pefect way to make their buildings stronger, wooden material end up rotting rapidly, whereas metal bombs remain strong. The heavy bombings that occurred in the 1960s still have a very big impact on the lives of those who lives there today. There are many thing to do in the town of Phonsavan, so you must not give it a miss.

#grouptravel The plan of jar Site 03. Address Xiang Di village, phonesavanh, Xiengkhuoang province, Laos. The Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological landscape northeast of Laos. It consists of thousands of stone jars scattered around the upland valleys and the lower foothills of the central plain of the Xiangkhoang Plateau. The jars are arranged in clusters ranging in number from one to several hundreds. My last visited of the 3 jar sites. You have to cross a small wooden bridge and a few rice fields which beautiful green and fresh air for the windy up and down. To reach the site will take you about half a kilometer on walking from the parking area. I paid about 20,000 kip for the entrance for one adult. #park#solotravel #laos

Another attraction of traveling in Xiengkhouang is 🔥🌊 Hot Springs 🌊🔥 when we soak we will feel relax and this is must visit place in Xiengkhoung province, highly recommend 🤩 Asa Hot Springs resort currently consists of a warm swimming pool and a riverside restaurant and coffee shop, while a spa facility and accommodation are planned for sometime in the future. This place makes for a very welcome stop for a relaxing bathe, especially during the cooler months. Entrance fee: 20,000 kip or 2USD/pax ( Searching available on google map: Asa Hot Spring Resort & Spa ) 📍Asa Hot Spring Resort & Spa, Kham District, Xienkhouang province, Northern of Laos 🇱🇦

#外游 #寮國 #自然之旅 Laos, formerly known as Laos, is a Southeast Asian country that Hong Kong people are not very familiar with, and even I have never thought of visiting this country. When I mentioned going to Laos, my friend immediately said that the country was very backward. I was a little worried at first, but after visiting Laos, I fell in love with the tranquility and simplicity of the place. Even though the country is backward and underdeveloped, the Lao people are very simple, friendly, and have no ulterior motives. The only thing they require from tourists is "trust"! We had some time to travel around during the trip, and today we came to Xieng Khouang Province, which is the most popular tourist destination in Northern Laos. When we arrived in Xieng Khouang Province by domestic flight from Vientiane, the capital of Laos, we met a group of more than ten Japanese people. It turned out that they came here specifically for the tourist attraction in this province - Plain of Jars. When I arrived in Xieng Khouang Province, I saw tourist posters everywhere with the words "Plain of Jars" written on them. At first, I felt unfamiliar with this word, but after learning more about it, I found out that this is a famous tourist attraction here, just like Stonehenge in the UK and Easter Island. Some of the stones are obviously not naturally formed and are placed in a regular pattern on an endless plain. It is impossible to find out who placed these cylindrical stones here. It is estimated that they are the product of ancient civilization, but no one can confirm it. Therefore, the existence of this pile of cylindrical stones is full of mystery. We came to the Plain of Jars on this day. The weather was very good. Under the blue sky and white clouds and on a vast green plain, these cylindrical stones were irregularly scattered all over the plain. Some were tilted to the left and right, some stood vertically, some were lying horizontally, and some were split into several pieces by wind and rain erosion. It was quite interesting. It is estimated that the number of stones is more than hundreds. #Overseas Travel# I miss you so much

Yesterday, I took the Panshan Highway for nine hours to the Sichuan-Yunnan Plain. I will leave for nine hours tomorrow, in order to take a look at one of the mysteries of human unsolved mystery. I have seen a lot of sunsets, but today it is still amazing by the setting sun. Photographed in Laos Fengsha Bay