The
city was founded in the 9th century by Mons, whose legendary
ruler Queen Chamathewi created the Hariphunchai state
that held sway in the region for a few hundred years,
until it was absorbed into the Lanna kingdom.
Her remains are
interred at Wat Chamathewi, built by Khmer artisans
and renovated by the Mons. The main chedi is on five
levels, originally with a golden top, which was stolen.
It is also known as Wat Ku Kut which means chedi without
a top! |
| The
town's main attraction is Wat Phrathat Hariphtmchai, built
to house Buddha relics on the site of Queen Chamathewi's
palace. The 46-metre Golden Chedi is topped by a nine-tiered
umbrella of pure gold. There is a museum and a library
within the temple's grounds. The district of Pasang is
known for its cotton weaving industry and for its beautiful
women. Overlapping into Chiang Mai arid Lampang, Mae Ping
National Park surrounds the Ping River and features fertile
forestland, sheer cliffs, reservoirs, islands and river
rapids ideal for rafting. |
