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Xieng Khouang
The province of Xieng Khouang is situated just north of the neck of Laos, and is a province of forested mountains, limestone karst formations, and broad yellowish brown hills, denuded by logging and slash and burn agriculture. Farms dot the landscape, and there are vast eucalypts and pine plantations. There is a population of about 230, 000 people in the province, mostly lowland Lao, Vietnamese, Thai Dam, Hmong, and Phuan ethnicities.
The province was heavily bombed during the Vietnam war and much of the province is pockmarked with bomb craters. It was one of the most devastated provinces in the war, and between 1964 and 1973 practically every town and village in the province was bombed at some time. Some villages were completely obliterated altogether. Remnants from the bombing, and old war scrap metal is used in building houses. The province is important in Lao history because it was a stronghold of revolutionary forces, and because of the terrible bombing and destruction.
The ancient capital, Xieng Khuang (now called Muang Khoune) was almost totally destroyed and was abandoned during the war. It is now a rather ordinary town, with a few old temples.
After the war in 1975, the capital of Xieng Khouang Province was moved to Phonsavan. It is a small, basic town with shops, a market, some government buildings, and an airstrip.
What To See Xieng Khouang is most noted as the location of the mystifying Plain of Jars (Thong Hai Hin). Near Phonsavanh, the huge stone jars lay scattered about in 5 major locations, and some 20 know minor locations. The biggest of the jars weigh up to 6.6 tons, and the origin purpose of the jars is still not known.
About 33km east of Phonsavan, and a few kilometers from Muang Kham, is Tham Piu Cave where an estimated 200 to 400 people were killed by a single rocket strike in 1969.
There are some hot springs near Muang Kham, approx. 52 km north of Phonsavanh. There are two springs, Ban Noi (Little Spring) and Ban Yai (Big Spring). The temperature of the water in both springs is around 60C. You can bathe (or sit) in the springs themselves, and you can stay in somewhat rustic bungalows where you can fill tubs with spring water.
Travel Tips At an average altitude of 1,200m, the province has a mild climate which is not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter, and not too wet in the rainy season. It can get a bit chilly at night in December and January, so you need to bring appropriate clothes such as a sweater or light jacket.
The best time to visit is between mid-October and mid-March when temperatures are cooler. The rainy season is from around May to October, which is a beautiful time of year when things are fresh and green, but muddy roads can make travel difficult.
Of course you need to dress for the season, and it is a good idea to bring sun protection, and mosquito repellent.
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Lao history because it was a stronghold of revolutionary forces, and because of the terrible bombing and destruction. 
6.6 tons, and the origin purpose of the jars is still not known.
summer, not too cold in the winter, and not too wet in the rainy season. It can get a bit chilly at night in December and January, so you need to bring appropriate clothes such as a sweater or light jacket.