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The Plain Of Jars, Xieng Khouang - Laos Travel

Despite being off the main tourist trail, Phonsavan is well worth visiting, with its Plain of Jars a particular highlight. The Plain of Jars is a group of fields containing thousands of stone jars cut out from rock thousands of years ago. The Plain of Jars is considered the most distinctive and enigmatic of all Laos attractions.

Plain of Jars - Top 10 Attractions in LaosPlain of Jars - Top 10 Attractions in Laos

Plain of Jars history

The history of the stone jars is shrouded in mystery. The jars are believed to be about 2,000 years old. They come in varying sizes up to three meters high, weighing up to several tons. Most of them were sculpted from sandstone rock.

Very little is known about the people who created the jars. Although their purpose is not known with certainty, archeologists believe they were used as urns in burial rituals. All jars are now empty. During archeological research in the 1930’s glass beads as well as burnt bones and teeth were found inside. Around the jars archeologists found grave goods and bones. The jars were probably originally sealed off with lids. Today only a single jar contains one. A few stone lids have been found between the jars, others might have been made of wood or other perishable material that has long gone. Stone discs between the jars mark the location of a grave.

Plain of Jars, Xieng Khouang - Top 10 Attractions in LaosPlain of Jars, Xieng Khouang

Around Phonsavan, the main town of Xieng Khouang Province in Northeast Laos. Site 1 is about 15km southwest of Phonsavan and has about 300 jars. Site 2 is about 25km south of Phonsavan and contains about 90 jars spread over two hills. Site 3 is about 35km southeast of Phonsavan and contains about 150 jars. It’s actually only 10km away from Site 2.

How to get there?
It’s easy to hire taxi (4WD and driver) from Phonsavan to the jar sites or visitors can catch a local bus to Site 3 but not site 1 and 2