XIENG KHOUANG
Overview
Xieng Khouang Province plays a vital role in Laos history. The green plateau, peppered with hills and the country's highest mountain, the Phou Bia, has been the hub of major Asian trade routes since the ancient times. In addition, thanks to the subtropical climate as well as the ideal altitude, some fruits such as plums and peaches, which do not exist elsewhere in Laos, are growing here and blooming annually in February. Despite the devastation in the American-Vietnamese War, which had spread to Laos, the landscape remains relatively untouched. Besides the splendid and peaceful nature, tourists will be captivated by the rich culture of ancient civilizations once rooting here. The traditions of Hmong, Khmu or Tai Dang are still practiced and bring color into the landscape.
The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang belongs to the most famous Laotian attractions and has a strong and close connection to death in the ancient times. In addition to the jar field and temple, tourists can admire the few preserved buildings from the times of French occupation. There is convenient connection to Xieng Khouang from Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Food & Drink
Upon visiting the rural area of Xieng Khouang, travelers may opt for practical options of eating in traditional and simple restaurants where they can enjoy local food in a modest budget. Certain dishes are considered national dishes and hence, can be found almost throughout the country, also in Xieng Khouang. For a wider range of dining opportunities, you should consider Phonsavan District as this is the center of the region.
The French-inspired baguette is split in half and generously filled with lettuce, sliced tomatoes, carrot, onion and optional cheese, moo yor (pork lunchmeat), chopped ham and topped with pâté or chili sauce. Khao Jee is preferably savoured with a cup of strong filtered coffee.
Khao Poon is a popular Laotian soup made from rice vermicelli noodle, meat (fish, pork or chicken)and seasoned with lime leaves, garlic, shallots, Laos chilies, etc. There are generally several versions, such as those cooked with coconut milk and those cooked with fish sauce.
Sai Oua is made from chopped pork meat, seasoned with herbs such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, cilantro, galangal and flavoured with fish sauce. Sai Oua is a good companion with sticky rice and fresh.
Travel Guide
Xieng Khouang Province is located in eastern Laos near the Laos-Vietnam border. It consists of six districts: Muang Khoune, Muang Phonsavanh, Muang Nong Hai, Muang Kham, Muang Mork and Muang Phou Koud. Xieng Khouang is a high altitude province full of green grass, mountains and hills. The region has long been a center of Phuan language and culture. During the Vietnam War, Xieng Khouang was one much-fought battle; and Laos is actually the most bombed country in the world. Hence, the majority of sites in provinces is dedicated to the dark past and fallen people.
The climate in Xieng Khouang is warm with its temperature hovering around 30 ° C throughout the year. Rainy season is from May to October, characterized by the higher humidity in the monsoon season. Therefore, travelling during these months can be a bit more strenuous. The best time to travel is the drier high season from November to March. Temperatures are around 25 ° C in these months (sometimes lower and especially at night it's getting chilly) and generally there's hardly any rain.
Airplane: Nearby airport in Phonsavan offers flights connecting Xieng Khuoang with Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Bus: Tourists can travel by bus from Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng via Nam Ngeun and then take the bus to Phonsavan. Buses from Hanoi/Vinh (Vietnam) to Xieng Khouang are also available.
Bus: Tourists can travel by bus from Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng via Nam Ngeun and then take the bus to Phonsavan. Buses from Hanoi/Vinh (Vietnam) to Xieng Khouang are also available.
Plain of Jars: The mysterious jars have different sizes, from small to gigantic, and it is still unclear how they originated or were transported to these places. Also their meaning is unclear, since in some places human bones were found but there is the suspicion that it could be a burial ground.
Phou Bia is the highest mountain in Laos at 2,819 meters. Adventure-seeking tourists can challenge themselves with climbing, trekking and mountaineering to the peak of Phou Bia or surrounding mountains, which offers stunning panorama over the exotic region.
Phonsavan is the province capital, still maintaining its rural characteristics. It is a historical place, which has witnessed the great suffer of the country and its people from American bombing during the Vietnam War.
Phou Bia is the highest mountain in Laos at 2,819 meters. Adventure-seeking tourists can challenge themselves with climbing, trekking and mountaineering to the peak of Phou Bia or surrounding mountains, which offers stunning panorama over the exotic region.
Phonsavan is the province capital, still maintaining its rural characteristics. It is a historical place, which has witnessed the great suffer of the country and its people from American bombing during the Vietnam War.
Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area is located in the northeast of Laos. With an area of over 4000 square kilometers, it belongs to the largest protected areas in the country. It is named after the Nam Et river and Phou Louey Mountain and is home to a diversity of (endangered) species. The area is developed as an ecotourism destination.
Tham Piu cave is a historical site, where in 1968 hundreds of innocent village refugees were killed by a single rocket from an American airplane. Pay tributes to the fallen souls.
Hot mineral springs in Ban Nyai and Ban Xang is located near Muang Kham. The big hot spring Ban Nyai is developed into a bungalow with bathing facilities, which offer visitors relaxation and recreation opportunities.
Tham Piu cave is a historical site, where in 1968 hundreds of innocent village refugees were killed by a single rocket from an American airplane. Pay tributes to the fallen souls.
Hot mineral springs in Ban Nyai and Ban Xang is located near Muang Kham. The big hot spring Ban Nyai is developed into a bungalow with bathing facilities, which offer visitors relaxation and recreation opportunities.
OUR PICK: Spend two full days in Xieng Khouang, staying in Phonsavan, then departing for a one- to two-day trip to the Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area, then departing for two to three days to Luang Prabang.
Dark tourism: Special tours to the historical sites representative of the dark past and pay sincere tribute to the people who have fought bravely again the invasion.
Cultural tours: inclusive of most astonishing museums, temples of the region as well as historical sites, especially Plain of Jars.
M.I.C.E tous: theme tours, educational tours, charity tours and meditation tours
Dark tourism: Special tours to the historical sites representative of the dark past and pay sincere tribute to the people who have fought bravely again the invasion.
Cultural tours: inclusive of most astonishing museums, temples of the region as well as historical sites, especially Plain of Jars.
M.I.C.E tous: theme tours, educational tours, charity tours and meditation tours
Xieng Khouang Province is located in eastern Laos near the Laos-Vietnam border. It consists of six districts: Muang Khoune, Muang Phonsavanh, Muang Nong Hai, Muang Kham, Muang Mork and Muang Phou Koud. Xieng Khouang is a high altitude province full of green grass, mountains and hills. The region has long been a center of Phuan language and culture. During the Vietnam War, Xieng Khouang was one much-fought battle; and Laos is actually the most bombed country in the world. Hence, the majority of sites in provinces is dedicated to the dark past and fallen people.
The climate in Xieng Khouang is warm with its temperature hovering around 30 ° C throughout the year. Rainy season is from May to October, characterized by the higher humidity in the monsoon season. Therefore, travelling during these months can be a bit more strenuous. The best time to travel is the drier high season from November to March. Temperatures are around 25 ° C in these months (sometimes lower and especially at night it's getting chilly) and generally there's hardly any rain.
Airplane: Nearby airport in Phonsavan offers flights connecting Xieng Khuoang with Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Bus: Tourists can travel by bus from Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng via Nam Ngeun and then take the bus to Phonsavan. Buses from Hanoi/Vinh (Vietnam) to Xieng Khouang are also available.
Bus: Tourists can travel by bus from Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng via Nam Ngeun and then take the bus to Phonsavan. Buses from Hanoi/Vinh (Vietnam) to Xieng Khouang are also available.
Plain of Jars: The mysterious jars have different sizes, from small to gigantic, and it is still unclear how they originated or were transported to these places. Also their meaning is unclear, since in some places human bones were found but there is the suspicion that it could be a burial ground.
Phou Bia is the highest mountain in Laos at 2,819 meters. Adventure-seeking tourists can challenge themselves with climbing, trekking and mountaineering to the peak of Phou Bia or surrounding mountains, which offers stunning panorama over the exotic region.
Phonsavan is the province capital, still maintaining its rural characteristics. It is a historical place, which has witnessed the great suffer of the country and its people from American bombing during the Vietnam War.
Phou Bia is the highest mountain in Laos at 2,819 meters. Adventure-seeking tourists can challenge themselves with climbing, trekking and mountaineering to the peak of Phou Bia or surrounding mountains, which offers stunning panorama over the exotic region.
Phonsavan is the province capital, still maintaining its rural characteristics. It is a historical place, which has witnessed the great suffer of the country and its people from American bombing during the Vietnam War.
Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area is located in the northeast of Laos. With an area of over 4000 square kilometers, it belongs to the largest protected areas in the country. It is named after the Nam Et river and Phou Louey Mountain and is home to a diversity of (endangered) species. The area is developed as an ecotourism destination.
Tham Piu cave is a historical site, where in 1968 hundreds of innocent village refugees were killed by a single rocket from an American airplane. Pay tributes to the fallen souls.
Hot mineral springs in Ban Nyai and Ban Xang is located near Muang Kham. The big hot spring Ban Nyai is developed into a bungalow with bathing facilities, which offer visitors relaxation and recreation opportunities.
Tham Piu cave is a historical site, where in 1968 hundreds of innocent village refugees were killed by a single rocket from an American airplane. Pay tributes to the fallen souls.
Hot mineral springs in Ban Nyai and Ban Xang is located near Muang Kham. The big hot spring Ban Nyai is developed into a bungalow with bathing facilities, which offer visitors relaxation and recreation opportunities.
OUR PICK: Spend two full days in Xieng Khouang, staying in Phonsavan, then departing for a one- to two-day trip to the Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area, then departing for two to three days to Luang Prabang.
Dark tourism: Special tours to the historical sites representative of the dark past and pay sincere tribute to the people who have fought bravely again the invasion.
Cultural tours: inclusive of most astonishing museums, temples of the region as well as historical sites, especially Plain of Jars.
M.I.C.E tous: theme tours, educational tours, charity tours and meditation tours
Dark tourism: Special tours to the historical sites representative of the dark past and pay sincere tribute to the people who have fought bravely again the invasion.
Cultural tours: inclusive of most astonishing museums, temples of the region as well as historical sites, especially Plain of Jars.
M.I.C.E tous: theme tours, educational tours, charity tours and meditation tours
Activities
Unsere Wahl: Wandern Sie durch die Berge und Hügel in Xieng Khouang oder besuchen Sie die historischen Stätten der ursprünglichen Hauptstadt Muang Khun.
Kultur Besichtigung
Besuchen Sie beeindruckende Stupas That Foun und That Chom
Fototour
Foto Touren, Abenteuer touren, Öko touren
Abenteuer Touren
Trekking in hohen grünen Bergen und schroffen Karstformationen
Naturstätten
Erkundung einer berühmten und unberührten Höhle - Tham Piu Höhle