The Plain of Jars
People climb on one of the giant jars
Veomanee Meunluang, ELTO Intake 35, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lao PDR, presents one of the most interesting and mysterious sights in Lao PDR called “The Plane of Jars” or in the Lao language “Thong Hai Hin”.
What makes the Plain of Jars so special because there’s barely any evidence to explain who put them here or why people made them.
The Plain of Jars, located in the northern part of Laos in Xiangkhouang province or Xiangkhouang plateau contains thousands of stone jars commonly thought to be 2000-3500 years old. These jars weigh up to 13 tons each and are between 1 to 3 metres high with a diameter up to 2.5 metres. No jar has been found with a lid or cover in place.
Lao stories and legends believe that before 500 BC, this area used to be a part of the kingdom of an ancient King named “Khun Cheung”, who won over an evil King that oppressed his people. The Jars were believed to be used for storing food and water for the King’s soldiers. Local people also believed that the jars were made to brew Lao-Lao or Rice wine for celebration.
The Plain of Jars was opened up for tourism in 1992. The Jars are spread across 52 sites over the plain of Jars, but there are only three sites are opened to visitors in Phonsavan District. Site 1 is called Ban Ang, contains over 250 jars, Site 2 is Phu Salato, 90 jars and Site 3 is Lat Khai, 150 jars. Other sites are considered too dangerous because of the unexploded devices or the bombs that still left from the war in the past (1964-1974).
I’d like to invite you to visit this tourism site where you will explore the fascinating archaeological landscape of the Plain of Jars. You can get there by bus, it takes about 10-12 hours from the Capital City of Vientiane to Xiangkhouang Province; alternatively you can travel by plane and it takes about 50-60 minutes. There are 9 travel agents in Phonsavan District that can provide you information about accommodation, tour guides, doing different activities, local food, restaurants and markets. Entrance fee to each of the jar sites are very cheap about $ 1.50 (one dollar and fifty cents), you can also rent a bike, motorbike or car to travel around the sites, but tuk tuks aren’t allowed to get into the jar sites. The best time or month to visit the Plain of Jars is between November until February because the weather is quite good, not too cold and it’s the best time to stay.
