Xieng Khouang's (sometimes spelled as Xieng Khuang) terrain is a vivid picture of contrast: towering, verdant mountains embracing the province's dry, flat and pockmarked heart. Its lethargic villages and lack of modernity notwithstanding, Laos' north central county features interwoven cultures and baffling sights that never fail to pique the tourists' imagination.
Large, dark craters left by past conflict has scarred Xieng Khouang's center, being one of the country's most war-ravaged region. It is this area, however, that has become the province's most known destination, as this is where the enigmatic Plain of Jars is found. Located near the slow-paced prime city of Phonsavan, the field is popular because of the numerous colossal stone jars that cluster in select zones. Origin and use of the urns are still enveloped in mystery, contributing to the fame and appeal of the place. Those who want to see these archaeological sites should stick to the trails or tag along a guide, as the place is riddled with unexploded bombs and landmines.
Some of the tourist sites are at Xieng Khouang are close to each other, such as Tham Piu, the cave which sheltered locals during the war, which rubs elbows with a few ethnic villages that are also worth a visit. A trip to the province would be incomplete without passing through the old capital, also named Xieng Khouang (or Muang Khoun to some). The city features crumbling French-inspired colonial buildings and stupas (Buddhist monument). The one in the town square has a majestic image of a sitting Buddha.
