In the Phonsovan area of Laos there is three big sites where you can see some big jars scattered around the field . Some believe that this are used for the cremation of the people , some believe that this are left by some traders and some believe this are natural . Jars site 1 is situated in a plain area but the Jars site 2 and 3 are situated in the Hill top . In the Jars site 1 there is a bomb craters , foxholes and a trenches . In 6 th july 2019 , it is awarded as the UNESCO World Heritage site .
How to reach Plain of Jars ?
There are three major sites near to the Phonsovan city . Plain of jars site 1 is situated 7 km from the Phonsovan city , site 2 is 20 km and the site 3 is 24 km from the city .
For reaching Phonsovan there is Xieng Khouang Airport which is just 3 km from the city .
There are daily buses from the Luang Prabang , Vientiane and Pakse toward Phonsovan . I reached there from the Pakse city at 180000 Laotian Kip . But I must say that the road condition is really pathetic and it is full of pot holes . Buses are slow , late and not comfortable but economical .
From the city either you can take a tour toward Plain of Jars or hire a Bike or Bicycle to reach to the site .
Ticket to enter plain of jars is 35000 Laotian KIP per person .
Where to stay in Phonsovan ?
There are lots of Guest Houses to stay beside the main road inside the Phonsovan city . The city is very good for the budget travellers . Price starts from 80,000 Laotian Kip .
This huge jars are build between neolithic to 19 th century . Mostly , inside this huge pottery human bones , glass beads , pottery and stones are found . People believe that this are mostly used for the cremation . There could be as many as 2500 burials inside this spot . Next to this jars there are whitish stones which are used for the burial markers . This concept of burials are not only found in Laos but in the north east of India and Indonesia . You can also found a stone lid which are used to cover the jars head . This stone lids are moulded but not curved .
Some historians thought that this pits are used to store salt and this are situated in a busy merchant route .
Some stories tells that , when king Khun Cheung won a war , he want to celebrate the victory by consuming rice beer . for storing this , he build this huge stone jars .
Near to the site there is a limestone cave with two man made holes . When some historians examined this cave she found that there were lots of human bones . So she concluded that the upper hole was used for releasing the smoke at the time of cremation . Maybe after burning they kept the remains inside this pit .
There is a entry ticket of 35000 Laotian Kip per person to enter the site . After you just enter , there is a free golf car to reach you to the exact jar sites . It takes 5 minutes from the gate to the actual site .
Summary :
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can see large jars scattered around the plato . Entry for a adult to this site is 35000 Laotian Kip per person . In previous times this area was used for the burials and and the nearby cave has been the cremation ground . Near to this site there are two other site which are also famous for the Plain of Jars . This is situated near to the Phonsavan city .
