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Lunphun, formerly
Hariphunchai, is another historical sites. The town was
founded in the year 1663 and the first ruler was a Queen
called Chammathewi. This charming province is also noted
for its beautiful women and tasty longans.With an area
of 4,506 sq.kms., the province has 7 Amphoes namely :
Muang, Pa Sang, Ban Hong, Mae Tha, Li, Thung Hua Chang,
and Ban Thi. The town is about 670 kilometers from
Bangkok by car.
Lamphun Attractions:
Wat
Phrathat Hariphunchai This monastery is
in the township area, built in the reign of King Athittayarat
and has been repaired, renewed, and enlarged from time to time.
Phrathat Hariphunchai Pagoda is currently 46 meters high having
nine - tiered umbrella, made of gold weighing approximately 6,498.75
grams, placing on the top. The base is of square shape with 20
meters in length on each side. On every full moon day of the
sixth lunar month, there is a celebration of this Wat Phrathat
in term of the annual fair.
Hariphunchai National Museum which houses numerous Lanna antiques
found in the region. The museum is open to public everyday except
Monday, Tuesday and official holidays from 09.00 - 16.00. Admission
fee is 10 baht.
Ku Kut Pagoda or Wat Chamma
Thewi
(Suwan Changkot
Chedi) This monastery was built around A.D. 755 by Khmer artisans.
The pagoda structure is of the square Buddha Gaya characteristics
as seen in India. Three standing Buddha is mages, in the attitudes
of blessing are enshrined on each level of the pagoda base of
each side totaling 15 images for one side of five levels, grand
totaling 60 Buddha images around the pagodas. Relics of Queen
Chammathewi, the first ruler of Hariphunchai, are housed inside
the pagoda. The pagoda top was originally covered with gold but
later, was broken and disappeared thus giving ris to the name
"Ku Kut" or Pagoda without top. Other temples in the
vicinity include Wat Mahawan, noted for sacred amulets, Wat Phra
Yun or Wat Buddha Maha Sathan built by King Thammikarat about
one thousand years ago. Along Highway to Chiang Mai is
located the village of Nong Chang Khun which is noted for the
biggest plantations of longans in the country.
Highway
No. 106 (Along the Route to Pa
Sang)
Amphoe Pa Sang is about 10 kilometers from Lamphun.
It is noted as the centre for local handicrafts and also for
its beautiful and charming women.
Tak Pha Buddha Footprints The footprints are located on the top
of a small hill in the area of Tambon Makok, Amphoe Pa Sang,
16 kms. from the township area. The legend says that Lord Buddha
left his footprints during his visit to that locality for Lawa
tribal people to pay their homages to in lieu of he himself.
He also dried his suffron robe on the cliff where one, at present,
can see a mark like a piece of suffron robe being dried there
thus originating the name of Tak Pha Buddha Footprints or Drying
Suffron Robe Buddha Footprints.
Annual celebration takes place on the eight day of wanning moon
of the sixth lunar month of every year when inhabitants of Lamphun
and neighbouring provinces flock to the annual fair.
Amphoe
Mae Tha
Doi Khun
Tan National Park Doi
Khun Tan is located on a mountain range bordering on both Lampang
and Lamphun Provinces. There is a 1,362 meter long tunnel, regarded
the longest in Thailand, for railroad underneath the mountain.
There are accommodations, which belong to the Royal State Railway
of Thailand, a missionary party, and the Royal Forestry Department,
on top of Doi Khun Tan.
Amphe Li
Mae Ping National Park situated at km. 47 on Lamphun - Li -
Thoen route, (Highway 106) the park covers a lake and a forest
above Phumiphol Dam. Attractions in the area of the park are
: Namtok Ko Luang, Tham Yang Wi, and Kaeng Ko, etc.
Langan Fair This fair, held in August every year,
features a contest to judge the best fruit and select Miss Lamyai
(Langan) for each year.
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