Plain of Jars

About this location

Scattered across the grassy Xieng Khouang Plateau near the town of Phonsavan, the enigmatic Plain of Jars is one of Southeast Asia's most mysterious and least-visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This remarkable archaeological landscape features thousands of massive stone jars, some weighing up to 14 tons, which date back to the Iron Age (500 BC to 500 AD).

Despite over a century of research, the original purpose of the jars—whether as giant funeral urns or vessels for celebratory rice wine—remains a mystery, a puzzle deepened by the site's rugged beauty and history of wartime bombing. Visitors can explore several jar sites, learn about UXO clearance efforts, and witness stunning sunrise views over the ancient plain.