2025 Cha Ho Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#postandearn #laos #Plainofjars Have you ever heard of the Plain of Jars? Located in Xieng Khouang Province, Laos, this mysterious archaeological site is home to thousands of giant stone jars scattered across the landscape — some weighing up to several tons! Dating back to around 500 BCE, no one knows exactly what they were used for. Some believe they were ancient burial urns, while others think they were used to store food, water, or even rice wine. 🧐🍶 Surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and steeped in legend, the Plain of Jars remains one of Southeast Asia’s greatest unsolved mysteries. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a powerful reminder of both ancient civilizations and more recent history — the area was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, and many parts remain off-limits due to unexploded ordnance.

#springitinerary Hey explorers! 🕵️♀️ Just got back from Phonsavan—where ancient stone jars meet bomb-crater landscapes—and wow, this place is wild in the best way. Think Indiana Jones meets offbeat backpacker paradise. Here’s my raw, real, and slightly dusty weekend in Laos’ most intriguing town! 🪙 The Moment I Felt Like a Tomb Raider Standing in Plain of Jars Site 1, staring at 2,000-year-old megalithic jars the size of bathtubs, I had so many questions. Who made these? Why? How?! (Local legend says giants drank rice wine from them—I choose to believe this.) Pro tip: Go at sunrise—you’ll have the whole eerie field to yourself. 💣 The Bombie That Made Me Swallow My Gum At the UXO Survivors’ Information Centre, I held a cluster bomb pellet ("bombie") smaller than a tennis ball—the same kind still buried in Lao soil. Gut-punch reality check: Laos is the most bombed country per capita in history. Visit here. Learn this. 🍲 The Noodle Soup That Heated My Soul Phonsavan’s khao poon (spicy vermicelli soup) at Nisha Restaurant slapped me awake—in the best way. Turmeric broth, crispy shallots, and face-melting chili. The owner grinned as I chugged water: “Farang can’t handle Lao spicy!” 🔥 ⏳ My No-Frills, High-Impact Itinerary Day 1 – Friday Evening 4:00 PM: Rolled in on a dusty bus (pack wet wipes!). 5:30 PM: Sunset at MAG UXO Visitor Center (sobering but essential). 7:00 PM: Hotpot dinner at Craters Bar (bomb-themed, oddly cozy). Day 2 – Saturday 6:00 AM: Plain of Jars Site 1 (mystical morning light). 9:00 AM: Site 2 & 3 (hiked through cow pastures—yes, really). 1:00 PM: War-era Russian tank photo op (surreal AF). 4:00 PM: Mulberries Silk Farm (touch silkworm cocoons!). Day 3 – Sunday 7:00 AM: Morning market pho (extra herbs, zero regrets). 10:00 AM: Tham Piu Cave (wartime refuge-turned-memorial). 1:00 PM: Bus out, brain full of history. 💡 Hard-Earned Tips for Phonsavan Guides matter: Hire one at the Jars—they’ll point out unexploded ordnance (!!) and share oral history. Dress modestly: This is sacred + wartime land. Pack layers: Mornings = chilly, afternoons = furnace. Eat street food: The grilled dried buffalo is weirdly addictive. Phonsavan isn’t pretty—it’s powerful. Come for the jars, stay for the stories. Who’s brave enough to join me? #JarsAndBombs #LaosUntold #DarkTourismDoneRight

If you don't go to Thailand, you won't know.

✨ The Plain of Jars in Laos is a place full of mystery, like an ancient and mysterious history book, quietly waiting for people to read it. 🏞️ It is a vast and peaceful plain, with green grass and a gentle breeze, as if telling a story of a thousand years. The thousands of giant stone jars scattered across the plain are the most unique protagonists of this land. 🧐 These jars are carved from solid granite, varying in size and shape, round or square, and have stood the test of time for thousands of years. They are scattered individually or gathered in groups, seemingly random, yet with a mysterious pattern. 🤔 The origin and purpose of the jars remain a mystery, with various theories. Some speculate they are ancient stone coffins, others believe they are containers for wine or water, and some think they are related to ancient religious rituals or astronomical observations. Each theory adds more mystery to the site. 🔎 It is believed that the jars were carved between 2,500 and 3,500 years ago. Even more astonishing is that the stone is not locally sourced. How were they transported here in ancient times when transportation was extremely inconvenient? This is undoubtedly a great testament to the wisdom and strength of the ancients. 🌟 Today, the Plain of Jars has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage site, attracting countless tourists and archaeologists to explore. When you stand on this ancient land and touch the cold and historically marked jars, you can almost travel through time and feel the atmosphere of that distant era.

Explore the Plain of Jars in Laos and uncover a thousand-year-old mystery. 🌟 Highlights: The Plain of Jars is a mysterious ancient site in Xieng Khouang, northern Laos, consisting of hundreds of giant stone jars. These jars date back to between 500 BC and 200 AD and are believed to have been used to store bones and sacrificial items. The Plain of Jars is still full of mysteries, attracting visitors from all over the world to explore. 🚉 Transportation: 1. From Luang Prabang: Take a long-distance bus or rent a motorcycle. The journey takes about 6 hours. 2. From Vientiane: Fly or take a long-distance bus to Xieng Khouang, then transfer to local transportation to the Plain of Jars. The whole journey takes about 6–8 hours. 📝 Tips: The roads in Laos are particularly bad. If you get carsick, prepare some motion sickness medicine. 🗓 Itinerary: 1. Best time to visit: The Plain of Jars is open all year round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April, when the weather is cool and the roads are in good condition. ✅ Must-do: The Plain of Jars is divided into three main areas: Sites 1, 2, and 3. It is recommended to visit in the following order: a. Site 1: This is the largest and best-preserved area of the Plain of Jars, with over 300 jars. Follow the marked paths to see them all. b. Site 2: Located near Site 1, it is smaller in scale, but the carvings on the jars are more exquisite. c. Site 3: Located further away from the first two sites, you will need to take a motorcycle or rent a car to get there. There are fewer jars here, but the environment is quieter. ⏳ Duration: It takes about 2–3 hours to visit the Plain of Jars. Visitors interested in archaeology can spend half a day exploring. 📝 Tips: 1. Wear comfortable clothes: The Plain of Jars is mostly gravel, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes. 2. Sun protection and hydration: The sun is strong in the Plain of Jars, so take sun protection measures and bring plenty of water. 3. Respect local customs: When visiting the Plain of Jars, respect local customs and do not touch the jars to avoid damaging the artifacts. 🌟 Local must-sees: 1. Xieng Khouang Market: After visiting the Plain of Jars, head to Xieng Khouang Market to taste local food and buy handicrafts. 2. Xieng Khouang History Museum: Learn about the history and culture of Laos. The museum houses artifacts related to the Plain of Jars. 3. Tropical rainforest adventure: There is a tropical rainforest near the Plain of Jars, where you can go hiking or kayaking and get close to nature.

#familytrips2024 This area has alot of history to it and was very cool to read informational signs and walk around. The field extended pretty far out however some areas are blocked due to undetonated explosives. It also included a neat little cave, some bomb craters left from the war and a visitor center. Unfortunately some jars had a couple of trash and litter in them but nevertheless, a great place to visit if you like ancient, old and mysterious structures.