Quietly situated on the grassy plains of the Xieng Khoung Plateau, hundreds of enormous ancient stone jars lie together to create the Plains of Jars. Despite the reasons why they are here and their original usage being long forgotten, visitors have kept flocking to here for the mystery. So what’s so special about this northeast gem of Laos? Join Absolute Asia Tours to find out!
So the giant jars just stand there for centuries for nothing? Well, some local myths claim that they are funeral jars back from the Iron Age, while others suggest that they were vast containers left from a victory party after a war in the sixth century. What is your guest about these silent giants?
Talking about things to do in the Plains of Jars, you can see some jars have bas-relief carvings that lie among the broken and unmarked ones. Besides, a collection of stone discs and tombstones would make a great next stop. There are a total of 300-2,500 jars, which is another debated thing about the Plains of Jars. Bare in mind that you can only visit two main sites that have been completely cleared and are safe to visit, as some areas can hide unexploded ordinance.
To get to this Southeast Asia’s quietest UNESCO site, you can fly from Vientiane but the schedule can be erratic. Or take the road journey if you don’t mind the longer traveling time.
En route, you will admire the picturesque mix of rustic mountain roads and isolated rural villages – all of which add to the oblivion of this place. Once you reach the plains, the barren landscape will remind the ravages of the American bombing campaign in the 1960s.
The Plains of Jars tour can be challenging to some visitors, but there’s nothing like admiring these gigantic stone jars with your own eyes and silently watch the traces of time remaining on each stone slab.
Want to include this spot as part of your Laos tour? Let Absolute Asia Tours tailor your itinerary to make sure you make the most of this historic relic and other must-sees in Laos!
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