Fact Xiengkhouang

Written by Vong | 13 January 2010

Xiengkhouang is a province in north-eastern Laos and has a population of about 200,000 (in 2006). It was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, mostly by the Americans. Today, twenty years after the war, there are still UXO's (Unexploded Ordnance) that continue to injure and maim the folks in this rural province.

For much of its history, Xiengkhouang has been something of a battleground, the reason mostly due to its location, between the capitals of Laos and Vietnam. As it is a highland plain, the weather here is pleasantly cool, and during the end of the year, can get quite chilly at night. The provincial capital of Xiengkhouang is Phonsavanh, a town that was established when an earlier capital was wiped out during the Vietnam War.

The countryside in Xiengkhouang is beautiful, untouched, and as of now, still not fully exploited by tourism. Its distance off the main tourist paths is a main reason why Xiengkhouang has been kept so pristine. However, the number of visitors to the Plain of Jars - which Unesco is working to establish as a World Heritage Site - has been on the increase year after year. Xiengkhouang is located in the north of Laos. Most of its landscape consists of mountains and hills. Xiengkhouang province offers the awesome beauty of high green mountains and rugged karst formations. The original capital city, Muang Khun, was almost totally obliterated by US bombing and consequently, the capital was moved to nearby Phonsavanh. Of several Muang Khun Buddhist temples built between the 16th and 19th century, only ruins remain. Vat Pia Vat, however, survived the bombing and can be visited. The main attraction in Xiengkhouang province is the Plain of Jars. Stone jars of different sizes, apparently carved out of solid rocks, are scattered all over the plateau. The biggest one reaches a height of 3.25 meters.