Thong Hai Hin
Plain of Jars Site 1, Xieng Khouang Province, Laos
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The Plain of Jars Site 1 is also called Thong Hai Hin, or Stone Jar Plain. It is located to the south of Phonsavan. We were very excited as it was the first site we were visiting. The plain was covered with tall brown grass, with scorch marks showing on some of the grass. There are a few trees dotting the undulating landscape.
Plain of Jars Site 1 covers an area of 25 hectares. A picker fence surrounds it. According to the notice board, there are 334 jars found here, with the biggest having a diameter of 2.5 meters and a height of 2.57 meters.
The Landscape of Thong Hai Hin, also known as Plain of Jars, Site 1.
A big signboard stated that the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has performed Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance of the site. Coloured markers on the ground indicate the areas that have been cleared. The markers are coloured white on one side, and red one the other. The white-facing side are areas where sub-surface clearing of UXO has been done. The red-facing side are areas where visual clearing of UXO has been done, and no sub-surface clearing has been executed yet. During the clearing process, which took place between 26 July and 29 October 2004, 127 pieces of UXO was removed as well as 31,814 pieces of scrap. We were advised to remain within the areas marked with white markers only.
Site 1 consists of two sections. The section closest to the gate is located on a small hillock. There are gentle steps leading up the hill. At the top of the hill is a big collection of stone jars. I was told that the hill is called the Hill of Big Jars. We were delighted in seeing the jars which we have heard and read so much about. Very quickly we were soon jars, admiring them, peering into them to see what is inside. Apart from dry grass and dirt, the stone jars were empty. They come in all sizes. The biggest jar that I saw on all the sites was also here. It was taller than me, and it took me some effort to peek into it.
The site has a quietness to it which is just right for the mood. It was cold. The grass was dry and showed that there were burn marks. Lone trees dot the landscape. Many were without leaves, throwing bare branches towards the sky. Some jars were lying on their side. The mouth of the jars are not consistent. Some of them has small mouths, while others have mouths as well as the diameter of the jars themselves. Naturally, many of the jars were already broken.
From the top of the hill, there is a path that zigzags down to another area about 600 meters away, where there is another group of stone jars. Most of the jars here are smaller than the ones on the hill. Here we found a jar that has a stone lid.
We spent about an hour here before proceeding to the second site. To view photographs and admire the jars more closely, follow the links provided to Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3 of the Plain of Jars.
Members of AsiaExplorers outside the gate to Plain of Jars Site 1.
From the gate, there's a path going uphill.
The stone jars are scattered all over the top portion of the small hill, including the biggest jar I saw in all the sites, pictured above.
View of the stone jars on top of the hill.
The path zigzags down the hill to another section with jars.
An unusual jar with a lid was found here.
Tim among the jars of Site 1.
Members of AsiaExplorers at the Plain of Jars Site 1.
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