Plain of Jars
Plain of Jars
Photo by : Danou
Xieng Khouang

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Xieng Khouang

Located 400km Northeast of Vientiane, Xieng Khouang is arguably the most beautiful town in Laos.

It is set at an altitude of 1,200 meter above the sea leveland so you con enjoys mild temperatures for most of the year, although winters can be surprisingly cold. Kham District is a low-laying basin set at around 600 meters above the sea level.

The province borders Vietnam to the East and Luang Prabang to the West. Xieng Khouang has a long and rich history and is home to numerous ethnic groups, including Thai Phuan, Hmong, Khmu and Thai Dam.

Phonsavanh, the new provincial capital, is located in Paek District and caters to increasing numbers of national and international tourists. There are two flights a day from Vientiane to the airport in Phonsavanh.

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Brief History

The UNESCO-protected Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang forms a part of the prehistory of Laos and mainland Southeast Asia. The Jars are important in the study of Laos history. It has shown that the ancient civilization that created the jars flourished with advances made in agricultural production and metal manufacturing.

The Jars were associated with mortuary practices that consisted of cremation and secondary burial sites. These practices lasted long after the arrival of Hindu and Buddhist philosophies into Southeast Asia.

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Overall Weather

Xieng Khouang has three seasons:

- Cold-dry (November to January). During this time of the year, the average temperature hovers around 20C. The temperature may reach as low as 12C with the coldest month being January and reaching as high as 26C in November. This is the best time to visit the area due to its comfortable and cool temperature. During this period, small showers may still occur, resulting in lower temperatures. It is good to bring along an umbrella as a safety precaution. Please take note the temperature tends to drop rapidly after sunset, so it is best to bring along warm clothing to keep warm. It will be a good time to visit the hot springs there to warm up.

- Hot-dry (February to April). During this period, the average temperature hovers around 26C. The temperature may soar as high as 32C especially towards the end of the hot-dry season, April. The temperature may reach as low as 15C especially during the beginning of the hot-dry season, just after cold-dry season ends. It is advisable to stay in the shade and remain hydrated to stay healthy.

- Rainy season (May to October). During this season, the average temperature hovers around 23C and usually decreases as it approaches the cold-dry season. The temperature may reach as low as 15C towards the end of the rainy season. The temperature may soar as high as 31C especially at the beginning of the rainy season as it is just after the hot-dry season. Rainfall should be the heaviest in the months of July and August. Please be advised to bring along an umbrella to shelter yourselves from the rain.

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Flights to Xieng Khouang

Domestic flights from Vientiane

09:15 am

10:00 am

  Lao Skyway 212                            

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  VTE-XKH

11:30 am

12:15 pm

 Lao Skyway 212                            

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  VTE-XKH

14:40 pm

15:10 pm

 Lao Airlines 401

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M

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W

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  VTE-XKH

 

Domestic flights from Luang Prabang

11:10 am

11:40 am

  Lao Skyway 215                            

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  LPQ-XKH

13:45 pm

14:15 pm

  Lao Skyway 215

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  LPQ-XKH

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Public Bus details in Xieng Khouang

Transportation from Xieng Khouang to Provinces

Departure

Destination

Kind of Bus

Distance

Departure Time

price*

Remark

Xieng Khouang, Phoukham Garden Bus Station

Luang Prabang

Minivan

 

08:30am

110,000 Kip

 

Muang Kham

 

 

07:00am

25,000 Kip

 

Phou Khoun

 

 

08:30am

60,000 Kip

 

Phou Khout

 

 

08:30am

60,000 Kip

 

Vang Vieng

Minivan

 

08:30am

100,000 Kip

 

Vientiane

Sitting Bus

 

06:30am

08:00am

17:00pm

 

110,000 Kip

 

VIP bus

 

19:30pm

130,000 Kip

 

Xieng Khouang, Northern Bus Station

Luang Prabang

 

 

08:30am

19:30pm

95,000 Kip

7-8 hours

Sam Neua

 

 

09:00am

80,000 Kip

 

 

 

19:30pm

100,000 Kip

 

Xieng Khouang, Bounmixay southern bus station

Paksan

 

 

07:15am

100,000 Kip

6 Hours

Pakse

 

 

07:15am

120,000 Kip

16 Hours

Vientiane

 

 

06:00am

08:00am

110,000 Kip

8 Hours

 

 

20:30pm

130,000 Kip

Xieng Khouang, Southern Bus Station 2

Luang Nam Tha

Sitting bus

 

07:30am

09:00am

180,000

May be Sitting bus or sleeping bus

Sleeping bus

 

200,000 Kip

Udomxai

Sitting bus

 

07:30am

09:00am

150,000 Kip

May be Sitting bus or sleeping bus

Sleeping bus

 

170,000 Kip

Vang Vieng

Local bus

 

08:30am

100,000 Kip

 

Minivan

 

06:30am

07:30am

100,000 Kip

 

Vientiane

Local bus

 

08:30am

18:30pm

110,000 Kip

9 Hours

Sleeping bus

 

19:30pm

130,000 Kip

8 Hours

Xayaboury

 

 

09:00am

130,000 Kip

8 Hours

Transportation from Xieng Khouang to other country

Departure

Destination

Kind of Bus

Distance

Departure Time

price*

Remark

Guesthouses

Hanoi

Bus

 

02:00am

300,000 Kip

16 Hours

 

Vinh

Bus

 

06:00am

150,000 Kip

12 Hours

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Getting Around in Xieng Khouang

Tuk tuks and sawng taews are a good way to travel and sightsee Xieng Khouang. Tuk tuks can be found in the town and sawng taews in the bus station. Bicycles and motorbikes can also be hired from local tour agents which costs 20,000 kip and 100,000 kip per day respectively.

Cars and minivans with drivers can be hired which may costs around $50 to $80 per day. 4WD trucks can also be hired for $100 or more.