LA · Xieng Khouang Province · 19.43°N 103.15°E

plain of jars

Huge ancient stone jars scattered across grassy hills around Phonsavan.

Best time
November to February is dry and clear, with cold nights; Phonsavan sits over 1,000 metres up. March and April are hazy, and June to September is wet, with muddy paths and slow mountain roads.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Vientiane (about 2 hours 40 minutes from KL, a few days a week), then a 40-minute domestic flight to Xieng Khouang, near Phonsavan. The flights don't always line up, so plan on a night in Vientiane. Laos is 1 hour behind KL.
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LA · Xieng Khouang Provinceplain of jars19.43°N 103.15°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Huge ancient stone jars scattered across grassy hills around Phonsavan.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPlain of JarsLA, Xieng Khouang Province
KLplain of jars
≈ 1,818 km from KL, as the crow flies
Photo of Plain of Jars

Photo: Unknown · CC BY-SA 2.5

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Hundreds of stone jars, some taller than a person, lie scattered across the hills around Phonsavan, left by an Iron Age culture about 2,000 years ago. The fields around them are pocked with bomb craters: this is one of the most heavily bombed places on earth, and the visit tells both stories.

Makan

  1. Khao piak senHot rice-noodle soup for cold mornings; chicken versions are easy to find.Map ↗
  2. Grilled fish and sticky riceA simple lunch before a day out among the jar sites.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Jar Site 1The biggest site, with over 300 jars, a cave and bomb craters, just outside Phonsavan.Map ↗
  2. Jar Site 2Jars on two low hills among the trees, with views across the countryside.Map ↗
  3. Jar Site 3A walk through rice fields to a hillside cluster of jars.Map ↗
  4. MAG visitor centreA small exhibition in Phonsavan on the bombing and the slow work of clearing what's left.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Stay on the marked paths at every site. The land beyond hasn't all been cleared of bombs.
  • Hire a driver for the day; the three main sites are spread far apart.
  • There's no halal food to speak of in Phonsavan. Bring snacks from Vientiane and lean on fish, eggs and vegetable dishes.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.