Upcoming Event
14 Apr 2012 - 16 Apr 2012
Lao New Year is the biggest and most famous of the festivals in Laos, and is one of the Hid Sip Song (12 traditional festivals). The festival is also known as the water festival and it coincides with the end of the dry season and the start of the rains. Xieng Khouang is rich in cultural traditions, and is a popular destination for both international and domestic tourists and this time of year.
Welcome to Xieng Khouang!
Located in northeast Laos, across a high plateau, Xieng Khouang province is most commonly known for its mysterious Plain of Jars, some as high as 3.25 metres, and its biggest city, Phonsavan. Xieng Khouang's countryside is untouched, splendidly beautiful and it's distance from the main tourist paths has allowed it to remain pristine offering a truley remarkable Xieng Khouang travel experience. The number of tourists coming to see the Plain of Jars, which UNESCO wants to establish as a World Heritage Site, has been increasing every year, and you can now find a number of authentic Phonsavan hotels and Phonsavan guesthouses to stay in during your visit.
Located in a stunning setting, the mesmerising Plain of Jars makes for a fascinating visit and offers interesting insight into the legacy of the secret war in Laos.
Jar site 1, also known as Thong Hai Hin, is the closest to Phonsavan and the best known Plain of Jars cluster. It contains over 330 of varying sizes and also the biggest jar, over 2 metres high and almost as wide. Farmland surrounds most of this Plain of Jars site, with the jars set in fields of tall brown grass.
Known locally as Hai Hin Phu Salato (or table hill), Jar Site 2 is located 25 kilometres south of Phonsavanh. The reason behind such a name? In the 1930s, the French frequented the hill for picnics! About 100 jars can be seen over the two adjacent hillsides here. A short climb to the top offers stunning views which are well worth the effort for this Xieng Khouang travel experiene.
The most attractive Plain of Jars site, however, is another 10 kilometres to the south. Hai Hin Lat Khai, or Jar Site 3, has a group of about 150 jars located on top of a small hill from where one can enjoy great views of the neighbouring plains and the valley below, which is home to the prosperous farming community of Ban Xieng Dee. Located at the very entrance of the jar site, the farming community's village also has a small Buddhist temple that tourists are welcome to visit.
Apart from the interesting stone jars and picturesque views, there are a number of other things to see and do in Phonsavan and Xieng Khouang province. Booking one of the Phonsavan tours will help you see some of the other sights. Meuang Kham's hot springs are worth a visit, as well as the sobering historical site of Tham Piu Cave, which was used as a bomb shelter by the local people during the Vietnam War. All the main sites throughout Xieng Khouang can be visited on locally led Phonsavan Tours and the Plain of Jars tours.
Xieng Khouang's beautiful landscape consists of luxuriant valleys and elevated green mountains, and because of the altitude (average 1200 m) in the province, the climate is neither too hot nor too wet. Many bomb craters, war debris and unexploded mines can be found across the eastern and central areas of the province. From the early 19th century right up to 1975, the Plain of Jars and central Xieng Khouang were chronic battle zones, and estimates suggest that more bombs where dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973 than during World War II. It is, thus, mandatory for tourists to follow guided trails as unexploded mines are being cleared even today.
The Xieng Khouang area was said to be part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, from where troops, artillery and supplies were smuggled out of northern Vietnam, through the mountains on the eastern side, into southern Vietnam. It is not surprising then that a majority of sights near Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars are dedicated to the Vietnam War.
Our Phonsavan Hotels site features an interactive Phonsavan and Plain of Jars map and pictures of each of our properties in Phonsavan, which means you can know exactly where you are staying and what kind of Phonsavan hotel and room you are booking.
Chittavanh Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 19
Chittavanh Hotel is located on the main street of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, just a 5-minute walk to the hub of town. Chittavanh Hotel offers comfortable, well presented guestrooms ranging from very clean and nice Standard rooms to large, well equipped Executive Suites.
[more info]
Banna Plain Of Jars House
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 10
Banna Plain of Jars House, in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, has an impressive display of cluster munitions left over from the war in the lobby, and offers 24 clean rooms with modern bathrooms, cable television and fan. Located opposite the large Phonsavan Market, the Banna Plain of Jars House is surrounded by shops and just a short drive to the centre of town and 15 minutes to the Plain of Jars.
[more info]Phonsavan Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 9
Phonsavan Hotel is a popular property located next to Amazing Lao Travel in the very centre of the main street of Phonsavan in Xieng Khouang. The well-established Phonsavan Hotel offers 18 comfortable rooms that are not designer or new, but clean and with a good range of room amenities including private bathrooms, cable television and fan.
[more info]Daophouan Guesthouse
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 13
Daophouan Guesthouse is a quiet property in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, located across the road from the market, main street and restaurants and offers good value modern but plain rooms with private bathroom, television and fan. The ideal location of this Phonsavan hotel is close to the town's tourist facilities, with options to book Phonsavan tours and Plain of Jars tours.
[more info]White Orchid Guest House
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 10
White Orchid Guest House is a well-established, professional property in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, with friendly, helpful staff, full of knowledge and local information.
The White Orchid Guest House offers 18 comfortable, clean and well-equipped guestrooms that present great value for money in the very centre of Phonsavan. It is conveniently located near to the town's tourist facilities, and only 15 minutes from Plain of Jars Site 1.
[more info]
The Hillside Residence
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 32
The Hillside Residence is a beautiful wooden, Lao style villa located below the Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel in a quiet, peaceful area of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, that gives a rural impression yet is just a short walk from the main street. The intimate property of The Hillside Residence offers 12 comfortable and clean rooms, a relaxing communal balcony or garden seating offering great sunset and village life views. It is one of the most beautifully situated of the Phonsavan hotels, and ideal for Xieng Khouang travel and exploration, especially the Plain of Jars.
[more info]Dok Khoune Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 18
Dok Khoune Hotel is located in the heart of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, in the centre of the main street, close to many shops, restaurants, tourist information, and Plain of Jars. The Dok Khoune Hotel offers clean, comfortable guest rooms with a choice of double, twin or triple beds.
[more info]Anoulack Khen Lao Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 25
Anoulack Khen Lao Hotel is a new hotel in the center of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, which presents excellent value for money with modern guestrooms, a great location and great facilities included. The Anoulack Khen Lao Hotel is the only Phonsavan hotel to feature an elevator lift and one of the few with air-conditioned rooms for warmth or cooling.
[more info]Phou Chanh Resort & Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 35
Phou Chanh Resort & Hotel boasts a stunning and very peaceful setting perched atop a small mountain just outside the main street of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang. This Phonsavan hotel offers unique and lovely wooden cabins with intimate rooms, balconies, a restaurant and good views of Phonsavan and the surrounding mountains of Xieng Khouang.
[more info]Duangkeomany Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 30
Duangkeomany Hotel is a well-established, experienced hotel in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, with friendly staff and very comfortable, clean rooms with the choice of double, twin or triple beds, all with satellite TV, fan and private bathroom.
The Duangkeomany Hotel has a wealth of tourist information including a selection of tours to choose from, an internet café on site and a restaurant serving Lao, Thai and European cuisine.
Located on the busy Route 10, opposite the SOS Children's Village, Tourist Information Centre and a short walk to the Nam Ngam Market, the location of the Duangkeomany Hotel is just 5 minutes to the airport and a short distance beyond that to Plain of Jars site 1.
[more info]Vansana Plain Of Jars Hotel
Location: Phonsavan
From: USD 51
Perched on top of a hill in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel offers great 360-degree views of Phonsavan town and the surrounding fields and mountains. Quiet and peaceful, this popular property not only boasts an excellent place to enjoy a drink for sunset from your private balcony or the restaurant, but also comfortable guest rooms, experienced friendly staff and a free shuttle bus to drop you into Phonsavan at your request.
The location of the Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel is excellent for visits to Plain of Jars, and tourist facilities can help with Plain of Jars tours and Phonsavan tours, to make the most out of your sightseeing experience in Xieng Khouang.
[more info]Xieng Khouang Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 23
Xieng Khouang Hotel is a large, new, prominent hotel in the centre of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang. Hard to miss, this 48-room property is popular with visiting dignitaries, business clients and groups and features excellent value rooms and suites with good amenities. The Xieng Khouang Hotel has a great location, making it easy to access travel facilities for booking Phonsavan tours and Plain of Jars tours. For Xieng Khouang travel accommodation, the Xieng Khouang Hotel is an excellent choice.
[more info]Phou Chanh Resort & Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 35
Phou Chanh Resort & Hotel boasts a stunning and very peaceful setting perched atop a small mountain just outside the main street of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang. This Phonsavan hotel offers unique and lovely wooden cabins with intimate rooms, balconies, a restaurant and good views of Phonsavan and the surrounding mountains of Xieng Khouang.
[more info]Vansana Plain Of Jars Hotel
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 51
Perched on top of a hill in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel offers great 360-degree views of Phonsavan town and the surrounding fields and mountains. Quiet and peaceful, this popular property not only boasts an excellent place to enjoy a drink for sunset from your private balcony or the restaurant, but also comfortable guest rooms, experienced friendly staff and a free shuttle bus to drop you into Phonsavan at your request.
The location of the Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel is excellent for visits to Plain of Jars, and tourist facilities can help with Plain of Jars tours and Phonsavan tours, to make the most out of your sightseeing experience in Xieng Khouang.
[more info]The Hillside Residence
Location: PhonsavanFrom: USD 32
The Hillside Residence is a beautiful wooden, Lao style villa located below the Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel in a quiet, peaceful area of Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, that gives a rural impression yet is just a short walk from the main street. The intimate property of The Hillside Residence offers 12 comfortable and clean rooms, a relaxing communal balcony or garden seating offering great sunset and village life views. It is one of the most beautifully situated of the Phonsavan hotels, and ideal for Xieng Khouang travel and exploration, especially the Plain of Jars.
[more info]
Your Local Travel Experts
Teamworkz are your trusted local travel experts for Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Travel agency by day, Teamworkz also specialize in sustainable tourism and marketing, and use our unique understanding of our local areas to help customers, clients, friends and family find what they are really looking for out of their visit to this amazing region. Of paramount important to Teamworkz is to make sure that these destinations we live and operate in benefit from tourism as well. From what we do to how we do it, the principles of responsible tourism are embedded in our operations.
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