Phonsavan

Plain of Jars - The Plain of Jars is known for the megalithic or giant stone jars belonging to the Iron age over 2000 years ago. Thousands of massive stone jars of all shapes and sizes lie scattered, many of them still undiscovered amidst deep jungles. This site, discovered in 1930, is one of the most popular attractions in Phonsavan for tourists who come to explore these mysterious jars.

Tham Piu Cave - It is located about an hour away from Phonsavan, but can be visited as a day trip. It was one of the many caves in the Karst mountains that was the centre of refuge during the American and civil wars. It takes about 2 hours, and the best way to get there is by hiring a cab. The entrance fee is 5,000 LAK.

Tham Xang - Tham Xang is one of the caves used by the revolutionary fighters which houses a hospital, school and other buildings. The journey to both the caves involves passing through the beautiful green countryside of Laos.

Nong Tang Lake - Surrounded by limestone cliffs, Nong Tang is a large natural lake located about 50 km from Phonsavan city centre. It is popular among the locals for picnic and also a great source for fishing.

Tad Ka Waterfall - Located in Nong Het, Tad Ka is a lovely cascading waterfall surrounded by limestone karst mountains. It is one of the most popular day trip options from Phonsavan, which is also quite popular among the locals who picnic here during the weekends and holidays. The path to the waterfalls is not easy to find, and hence taking a guide is recommended.

Tad Lang Waterfall - Another beautiful waterfall located amidst deep jungles, Tad Lang is tiered and flows to the bottom of the valley, which can be hiked and is a popular picnic spot.

• Phonsavan has limited accommodation options that get booked quickly during peak season. It is recommended to book your stay in advance.
• The caves are not accessible after dark, so plan your trip during the daylight time. Also, there are no public toilets and food and drink options are limited.
• If you plan to rent a bike to explore the Plain of Jars site on your own, make sure you have sufficient fuel as there are no stations on the road once you go out of Phonsavan town.
• There are very few options for food and drinks near the plain of jar sites. So carry your food and water. Also, there are no public toilets.
• It is strongly suggested to stay in the marked trails while visiting the sites. Venturing out of these paths can be dangerous as the places are still home to undiffused bombs dropped during the Vietnam war.
• Carry sunscreen, umbrella or a hat as it can get scorching in the afternoon.
• Also, it is recommended to wear good hiking shoes as it involves a lot of walking around.

There are regular buses from Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vang Vieng to Phonsavan. It takes between 8 to10 hours, depending on the city of departure, and the prices of the buses are around 20 USD per person.

From Phonsavan, you can rent a day trip through your hotel or guesthouse to explore the attractions, which will cost about 25 to 35 USD per person, which will cover your transport as well as a guided tour.

You can also rent a taxi or hire a motorbike to explore the sites on your own. The price varies between 30 to 50 USD for a car per person, and a bike on rent costs about 15 USD per day.