Plain of Jars Travel Guide
Travel to Plain of Jars - Secrets of the Mysterious Stone Urns
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One of Asia’s most mysterious ancient attractions the Plain of Jars sites spread out around the newly rebuilt town of Phonsavan and make for Laos’s most enigmatic tourist draw. Legends surround the hundreds of jars and a visit will quickly reveal that, like Stonehenge and other prehistoric sites, their original purpose can still only be guessed at.
Phonsavan is the capital of Xieng Khuang Province and was obliterated during the Second Indo-China War; today the rebuilt town has made a great recovery in both infrastructure and economy, in no small part thanks to revenue brought in by travellers visiting the surrounding Plain of Jar sites.
The Plain of Jars refers to the area around Phonsavan running from the southwest to the northeast; the locations of the jars are split into several separate sites. Their history can only be guessed at however local legend says that, in the 6th century, the warrior king, Khun Jeuam, brought his army from Southern China and defeated the evil chieftain, Chao Angka in a mighty battle, followed by a huge feast at which many jars of rice wine was consumed, hence the jars littering the plain today. His six-ton 'victory cup' is a major draw.
One theory is that the jars are not scattered randomly but are said to be placed in positions which make them form constellations of stars. The French archaeologist, Madeleine Colani, did much work here in the mid-1930s and her discovery of beads, bronzes and other artefacts that led her to the conclusion the jars were funerary urns dating back some 2000 years – still the favoured opinion of many academics today.
Colani could not, however, explain how the huge and heavy jars, carved from limestone not found in the region had been transported to the plain; another mystery surrounds the artefacts she says she found at the site, for they have all since vanished.
Attractions in Plain of Jars
The jars are split into five major sites. Site one is 15km from town and is the easiest to get to; with 250 or so jars it is here that the ‘victory cup’ of King Khun Jeuam can be seen. Sites 2 and 3 are further out from town with site 3 being the more interesting of the two and sits atop a hill near Ban Xiang Di. A walk of 2 km is needed to access the site.
The area around Phonsavan is home to Phuan and Hmong settlements and these villages can be visited with a guide.
Activities in Plain of Jars
Visits to the jars sites and other outlying areas must be made with a licensed local guide, primarily for safety. The entire area was one of the most bombed areas in Laos during the war and much unexploded ordnance remains: DO NOT EXPLORE ALONE nor take trails into the hills and NEVER touch shells or bombs that you may find or be shown as ordnance remains live for decades after it’s use.
Allow a full day to explore the sites, 2 if you wish to get out and about and see something of the wonderful countryside.
Relaxing
Find a quiet spot and reflect on just how the jars were transported here, by whom and for what purpose.
Getting Around
The area is best explored on an organised tour. The danger from unexploded ordnance is real and casual ramblings can be dangerous.
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