Xieng Khouang Travel Guide
Xieng Khouang province is located in north-eastern of Laos and has a total area of approximately 15,880 square kilometers.
The total population is about 230,000 people and Phonsavan is its new capital city.
The province has seven following districts:
1. Pek District
2. Kham District
3. Nonghed District
4. Khoune District
5. Morkmay District
6. Phoukood District
7. Phaxay District
Xieng Khouang province has a border with Luang Prabang and Huoaphanh in the north, Vietnam in the east, Bolikhamxay in the south, Vientiane and Xaysomboune in the west. This is a province that best known for the Plain of Jars.
Xieng Khouang is also home of many ethnic group such as, Tai Dam, Tai Puan, Khmu, and Hmong. These people are living side by side peacefully and practice their own tradition and culture.
During Vietnam war between 1960′s and early 1970′s Xieng Khouang suffered heavy aerial bombardment and intense ground battles due to its strategic importance. This conflict has left a deadly legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO) which is still being cleared until now. Click here to read story written by Russell Ciochon and Jamie James “Survivor of decades of war, the Plain of Jars retains its allure”
The old capital city, Muong Khoun, was almost totally wiped out by US bombing and consequently, it was moved to nearby Phonsavan town. Of several Muong Khoun Buddhist temples built between the 16th and 19th century, only the ruins remain intact. Pia wat temple, however, survived the bombing and can be visited by tourist. Today harvest bomb in this area and along Ho Chi Minh trail is still continuing around Xieng Khouang province. Click here to read full story of First Meeting Of Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Laos.
What to See in Xieng Khouang province
1.The Plain Of Jars
The plain of Jars is situated about 12 KM from Phonsavan.There are over 300 stone jars scattered across the plateau.The size of the jars is varied from 1 to 3 meters high andup to 2.7 meters in diameters and the heaviest one is weighing6 tons.
2. War Memorials:
South of Phonsavan are two war memorials set 1 km apart from each others. One is Lao war memorial and the other is Vietnamese war memorial.
3. Muang Khoun
Located 30 km southeast of Phonsavan. This town was once the Royal Capital and the center of the Phuan Kingdom.
4. Muang Kham Cemetery
Unique and worth a visit just for the unusual site of mixing together Thai Dam animist tombs, Catholic headstones and Laos (Buddhist) tombs, situated east of Phonosavan.
5.That Foun (Old Xieng Khouang – Muang Khoun)
This Buddhist stupa is also known as That Chomsi. It measures about 30 meters and was built in 1576.
6.Muang Sui
Ex-Americans landing site for planes during the Indochina War.
7. Tham Pa
These two limestone caves contained hundreds of small Buddha figures, believed hidden from the Haw invasion a few centuries ago.
