| Town: | Phonsavan |
| Location: | Asia > Laos |
What’s Plugged?
Reviews & Amenities
Top Descriptions
| Most people who’ve been to Laos will have heard of the Plain of Jars, but fewer will have heard of Phonsavan. With numerous historical sites scattered in its vicinity, Phonsavan is the premier tourist town of Xiangkhouan Province. The town is a prime spot from which to rent a motorbike and explore jar sites 1, 2, and 3, or even the ancient provincial capital of Muang Khoun. While there are certainly some draws in the region for tourists and travellers alike, the long bus journeys from Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng keeps the falang numbers down – and the town’s lack of tourist infrastructure reflects this. While you may have been initially drawn to Phonsavan for the archaeological sites around the town, it is more in the aftermath of the secret war that the town leaves its mark. If you talk to the locals, visit the museums, and venture out into the partially MAG-cleared countryside, you will no doubt feel it too. – Daniel |
| If you’ve written a description for Phonsavan you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
Top Tips
| Consider renting a motorbike across two days. You could visit Jar Site 2 and Jar Site 3 one day and Jar Site 1 with Muang Khoun on the other. If you were really pushed, you could even do this in one long day. |
| If you’re looking for a chilled and friendly place to stay, try Kong Keo Guesthouse. Kong has the only dormitory in town. |
| For authentic Indian food, head to Nisha Restaurant. For Italian, Lao Falang Italian Restaurant is an expensive treat ;). |
| If you have a tip about Phonsavan and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Location
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | ໂພນສະຫວັນ |
| Also known as: | Hills of Paradise |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Rental operator(s): | Nice Guesthouse Motorbike Rental |
| Port(s): | Add Data |
| Station(s): | Phonsavan Bus Station |
| Terminal(s): | Add Data |
| Environment type: | hill, forest, meadow pine |
| Location type: | rural, town, village |
| Religion type: | Buddhism |
What can we see or do there?
| Events: | Add Data |
| Services: | Add Data |
| Shops: | Add Data |
| Animals: | Add Data |
| Birds: | Add Data |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | Laotian Kip (LAK) |
| Average daily budget: | LAK224,000 |
When should we go there, and for how long?
| Average time taken: | 5 nights |
| High season: | November to March |
| Low season: | Add Data |
How can we get in contact?
| Language(s): | English, Lao |
| Timezone: | UTC+07:00 |
| Country calling code: | 856 |
How can we get there?
| Coordinates: | 19.44846, 103.1908 |
| Geographical feature: | Add Data |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Phonsavan and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Phonsavan and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Directions
| It’s possible to take a bus to or from Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng in about 7 hours. |
| If you know how to get to Phonsavan and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Number of attractions visited: | 11 |
| Travel time to attractions: | 25 minutes |
| Travel time to next location: | 7 hours |
| Size: | Add Data |
| Altitude: | 1,100m |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Phonsavan |
| Wikitravel: | Phonsavan |
| Tripadvisor: | Phonsavan |
| Local tourism: | Add Data |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | UK Government |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
| News: | Add Data |
| Public holidays: | Time and Date |
Local Availability
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (multinational) | 500ml | LAK16,000 |
| Beer (national) | 500ml | LAK9,000 |
| Fizzy drink | 1 litre | LAK7,500 |
| Fruit juice | 1 litre | LAK15,000 |
| Gin (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Gin (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Milk | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Oil | 1 litre | LAK13,500 |
| Rum (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Rum (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (national) | 1 litre | LAK35,000 |
| Water | 1 litre | LAK3,500 |
| Whisky (multinational) | 1 litre | LAK360,000 |
| Whisky (national) | 1 litre | LAK37,000 |
| Wine | 1 bottle | LAK160,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 100g | LAK20,000 |
| Apples | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bananas | 1kg | LAK10,000 |
| Bell pepper | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bread | 1 loaf | Add Data |
| Carrots | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chillies | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chocolate (multinational) | 1 bar | LAK8,000 |
| Chocolate (national) | 1 bar | LAK4,000 |
| Coconut milk | 1 can | LAK5,500 |
| Cucumber | 1kg | Add Data |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | LAK10,000 |
| Garlic | 1kg | Add Data |
| Ginger | 1kg | Add Data |
| Honey | 1 jar | Add Data |
| Ice cream | 1 unit | LAK7,000 |
| Jam | 1 jar | LAK11,000 |
| Onions | 1kg | Add Data |
| Oranges | 1kg | Add Data |
| Pasta | 1kg | LAK36,000 |
| Peanut butter | 1 jar | LAK36,000 |
| Peanuts | 100g | LAK12,000 |
| Potatoes | 1kg | Add Data |
| Raisins | 100g | Add Data |
| Rice | 1kg | Add Data |
| Sandwich | 1 unit | LAK10,000 |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | Add Data |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal shampoo | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Conditioner | 1 bottle | LAK26,000 |
| Condoms | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Deodorant | 1 can | LAK22,000 |
| Floss | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Laundry soap | 1 bar | Add Data |
| Razors | 1 pack | LAK14,000 |
| Sanitary towels | 1 pack | LAK4,000 |
| Shampoo | 1 bottle | LAK24,000 |
| Soap | 1 bar | LAK4,000 |
| Tampons | 1 box | Add Data |
| Toilet roll | 1 unit | LAK2,000 |
| Toothpaste | 1 tube | LAK4,000 |
| Washing powder | 1 box | LAK14,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic cream | 1 tube | Add Data |
| Bandages | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Chapstick | 1 unit | LAK14,000 |
| Contact lens solution | 1 bottle | LAK20,000 |
| Headache tablets | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Ibuprofen | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Mosquito repellent | 1 bottle | LAK25,000 |
| Nail clippers | 1 set | Add Data |
| Plasters | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Sun cream | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Sunglasses | 1 pair | LAK40,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4-pack | Add Data |
| Chilli powder | 100g | Add Data |
| Cigarettes (multinational) | 20-pack | LAK16,000 |
| Cigarettes (national) | 20-pack | LAK5,000 |
| Coriander | 100g | Add Data |
| Cumin | 100g | Add Data |
| Fuel | 1 litre | LAK8,600 |
| Internet | 1 hour | Add Data |
| Lighter | 1 unit | LAK3,000 |
| Matches | 1 pack | LAK500 |
| Paprika | 100g | Add Data |
| Travel multiadapter | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Travel plug | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Turmeric | 100g | Add Data |
| Stock | 1 pack | Add Data |
Local Cuisine
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Banana split | LAK16,000 | |
| Biryani (meat) | LAK40,000 | |
| Biryani (vegetarian) | LAK30,000 | |
| Bolognese | LAK54,000 | |
| Breakfast (continental) | LAK26,000 | |
| Breakfast (cooked) | LAK35,000 | |
| Brownie | LAK35,000 | |
| Bruschetta | LAK35,000 | |
| Burger | LAK37,000 | |
| Burger (cheese) | LAK42,500 | |
| Carbonara | LAK70,000 | |
| Cereal | LAK20,000 | |
| Cheese board | LAK150,000 | |
| Chocolate mousse | LAK30,000 | |
| Curry (South Asia – vegetarian) | LAK18,000 | |
| Curry (Southeast Asia – meat) | LAK30,000 | |
| Curry (Southeast Asia – vegetarian) | LAK18,000 | |
| Cutlet (beef/chicken) | LAK12,000 | |
| Eggs (how you like) | LAK8,000 | |
| Fish and chips | LAK35,000 | |
| Fish fingers | LAK20,000 | |
| French fries | LAK18,000 | |
| Fried (chicken) | LAK50,000 | |
| Fried (fish) | LAK50,000 | |
| Fried rice (meat) | LAK21,000 | |
| Fried rice (vegetable) | LAK19,000 | |
| Garlic bread | LAK18,500 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cream (scoop) | LAK13,000 | |
| Kebab | LAK28,000 | |
| Laap | LAK30,000 | |
| Naan | LAK8,000 | |
| Noodle soup (vegetable) | LAK15,000 | |
| Noodles (meat) | LAK20,000 | |
| Noodles (vegetable) | LAK15,000 | |
| Nuts | LAK20,000 | |
| Omelette | LAK16,000 | |
| Paella | LAK300,000 | |
| Papadum | LAK10,000 | |
| Pasta (meat) | LAK20,000 | |
| Pasta (vegetable) | LAK20,000 | |
| Phở | LAK15,000 | |
| Pilau rice (vegetable) | LAK20,000 | |
| Pizza (loaded) | LAK61,500 | |
| Pizza (simple) | LAK45,000 | |
| Porridge | LAK12,000 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Raita | LAK15,000 | |
| Rice (steamed) | LAK5,000 | |
| Rice (sticky) | LAK5,000 | |
| Salad | LAK22,500 | |
| Salad (meat) | LAK31,750 | |
| Samosas (meat) | LAK15,000 | |
| Samosas (vegetable) | LAK12,000 | |
| Sandwich (basic) | LAK11,000 | |
| Sandwich (loaded) | LAK18,500 | |
| Shrimp | LAK22,000 | |
| Skewers (meat) | LAK35,000 | |
| Soup (meat) | LAK22,667 | |
| Soup (vegetarian) | LAK16,500 | |
| Spring rolls | LAK24,000 | |
| Steak | LAK92,667 | |
| Stir fry (meat) | LAK40,000 | |
| Stir fry (vegetable) | LAK25,000 | |
| Sweet and sour (meat) | LAK40,000 | |
| Sweet and sour (vegetarian) | LAK20,000 | |
| Tiramisu | LAK48,000 | |
| Tom Yum | LAK22,000 |
| Beverage | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic mixed drink | LAK23,000 | |
| Bailey’s (shot) | LAK19,000 | |
| Beer (multinational) | LAK15,000 | |
| Beer (national) | LAK11,250 | |
| Cappuccino | LAK16,500 | |
| Chai | LAK7,000 | |
| Cocktail | LAK45,000 | |
| Coffee | LAK8,250 | |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | LAK15,000 | |
| Ginger tea | LAK7,000 | |
| Hot chocolate | LAK9,667 | |
| Iced coffee | LAK12,000 | |
| Iced tea | LAK9,500 | |
| Lassi | LAK10,000 | |
| Martini | LAK35,000 | |
| Milk (soy) | LAK5,000 | |
| Milkshake | LAK14,500 | |
| Mocha | LAK19,000 | |
| Rum (shot) | LAK45,000 | |
| Soft drink | LAK6,750 | |
| Tea | LAK7,500 | |
| Tea (herbal) | LAK7,500 | |
| Tequila (shot) | LAK31,500 | |
| Tonic water | LAK9,000 | |
| Water (2L) | LAK10,333 | |
| Whisky (shot) | LAK16,500 | |
| Wine (bottle) | LAK165,000 | |
| Wine (glass) | LAK30,000 |
Phonsavan Forum
Please use this forum to tell us about any new or out-of-date information about Phonsavan or to ask or answer any questions specific to this page. Or join our World Forum for more general information.
