Thailand: The stepped-pyramid style Suwanna Chedi at Wat Phrathat Haripunchai, Lamphun, northern Thailand

Wat Phra That Haripunchai was founded in 1044 by King Athitayarat of Haripunchai on the site of Queen Chamathewi's (Chama Thewi or Chamadevi) royal palace. Legend has it that the queen's personal quarters are enclosed in the main 46-metre high Lan Na-style chedi, covered in copper plates and topped by a gold umbrella or plee.

Lamphun was the capital of the small but culturally rich Mon Kingdom of Haripunchai from about 750 AD to the time of its conquest by King Mangrai (the founder of Chiang Mai) in 1281.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia