Interesting Things to See in Phonsavan Laos
Phonsavan is the small capital town of the Xieng Khouang Province in Northeastern Laos. The town’s main claim to fame is it’s access to the mysterious Plain of Jars. The Plain of Jars, which are actually hidden across multiple locations and sites, are massive millennia-old sandstone jars of unclear origins. The Jars are some of the most interesting things to see in PHonsavan and Laos.
The town also has access to Muang Khoun, the old provincial capital, many Buddhist statues, the ruins of Wat Phia Wat and a series of impressive caves and waterfalls
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Know Before You Go
The Plain of Jars is interesting, engaging and mysterious. Getting to the Jars requires some navigation, as the sites are spread out. Make sure to have a good map downloaded, as roads around Phonsavan curve and turn on long detours to avoid UXO zones.
Don’t wander off established roads.. Laos is an absolute minefield of UXOs (Unexploded Ordinance) thanks to the United States bombing campaign during the Secret War of Laos (an anti-communism campaign roughly parallel to the Vietnam War). There are a lot of places that were never defragged, and freely marching through certain parts of the country is incredibly dangerous.
Phonsavan actually has 90 sites where the mysterious jars are visable. However, the vast majority of these sites are closed, since they’ve never been safely de-mined. Of the 90 sites, only 3 are openly available to the public.
When visiting the 3 Phonsavan tourist-accessibly sites, be sure to stay between the clear stone UXO markers on the ground. There are no garentee that the areas off the trails are safe.
Things to See in Phonsavan
Plain of Jars
These are an ancient series of sites which host enormous stone containers of mysterious origin. Their original purposes are almost entirely unknown. Some theories believe the jars were part of an elaborate funereal rite where bones were left inside the jars until the elements left them clean. However, the Jars predate the human remains found in the area, meaning the civilization who practiced this ritual was not the same as the one who carved the jars. Other theories abound, including massive fermentation pots, alcoholic brewing chambers, celebrations of victory over mythical giants or offering to a local mountain giant. The true origin is a complete mystery.
Site One of the Plain of Jars
This is the site closest to Phonsavan, and therefore the most accessible. All sites are south of Phonsavan. Here at Site One, a large portion of the Plains display many jars resting on the earth’s surface. This site includes the Cave of the Plain of Jars, a small natural cave with an open hole in the ceiling. It is very close to the city and just 15 minutes south of Phonsavan. It is the largest zone in terms of the number of Jars
Site Two of the Plain of Jars
A secondary location where many jars reside on the surface. It is much further south of Phonsavan than Site One and many of the jars rest in a somewhat wooded area. Mud is an issue during the rainy season. Site Three is nearby, although the road loops require some time when traveling between them.
Site Three of the Plain of Jars
This site is the furthest south from Phonsavan, Site Three is the quietest site with the least foot traffic. The Jars in this area actually have some ancient lids intact. The surrounding area is very peaceful, with farms, shallow rivers and slight wooded areas.
Craters Café
An excellent small restaurant in Phonsavan with unsual décor. The exterior of the building and the walls are made from the shells of exploded ordnance. They stand as pillars at the entrance and more shrapnel and shells can be found inside. The bombshell decorations are interesting things to see in Phonsavan, as they show how local have adapted a brutal bombing campaign into a defragging and cultural icon operation.
MAG UXO Visitor Center
This is a museum which discusses unexploded ordnance found throughout Laos and it’s continuing effect on society. The museum educates visitors on how UXOs are treated, the defragging process and what the bomb leftovers are used for. The museum also has an in-depth series of articles regarding the Secret War of Laos, where US forces committed to intense bombing campaigns to deter Communism in the region.
Mulberries Organic Silk Farm
With a storefront in Phonsavan, this is an organic, eco tourism center which shows how to produce and craft silk, one of the city’s major exports and culturally important craft goods.
Bombs Spoons and Jewlery
Bombs Spoons and Jewlery isn’t a single location, but a network of shops found throughout the area. This series of shops sell goods made from the re-smelted bombs the US dropped on Laos. The metal is cleared for reuse and sale by the Laos commission currently working to defrag the country. There are many small statues and trinkets sold , but most the most common include spoons and jewlery made from bombshells.
I often travel with a piece of equipment called a “buff” or “magic scarf.” This simple tube of stretchy fabric is the ultimate multitool. It can be a sleeping mask, a head covering, ear covers in cold weather or a scarf. In Phonsavan, I used mine while riding motorcycles around the countryside, saving myself from a serious lungful of dust. For those visiting Phonsavan, I highly recommend the Multiuse Merino Wool Travel Buff. The two I’ve used have lasted since 2016. They’re versatile, tough, handy and machine-washable.