The landscape is characterized by green mountains, rugged karst formations and verdant valleys with plenty of rivers, caves and waterfalls.

The highest mountain of Laos, Phou Bia, is located to the south of the Xiangkhoang.

The plateau gives its name to present-day Xiangkhouang Province in which Phonsavan is located.

The plateau is the location of the Plain of Jars, which is a collective name for several sites with funerary archeological remains nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

[5] The plateau is also one of the most heavily contaminated areas in the world from unexploded cluster munitions also called UXO.