Xiangkhouang is a province of Laos, located in the north-east of the country. It was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War era.
Originally known as Muang Phouan, the famous Plain of Jars is located here. Many people talk with a slightly different accent than the usual Vientiane accent. Lum Phuan is highly popular in this region. The capital is Phonsavan.
Despite the high average of precipitation, some years Laos receives only half or even less of the usual rain expected. This causes a considerable dip in yields of rice. Fortunately, droughts like this are often confined only to certain regions, which means that rice production in other parts of the country remain unaffected. Temperatures in Laos along the Mekong River in March and April vary from 40 °C highs to lows of 5 °C or less in January in the Phôngsali and Xiangkhoang uplands.