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Community Manager
Hopes that tourism will rocket at Plain of Jars
Posted by LV on Friday, May 11, 2012
" Xieng Khuang province is planning to develop a local park and ancient rocket-launching platform on Koud Mountain as a tourist attraction, in anticipation of the Plain of Jars being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To further their long term plan for tourism development, the Information, Culture and Tourism Department has agreed to work with local authorities to create a park and renovate a structure believed to have been used as the launch platform at rocket festivals in years past. Department Head Mr Khomphet Phomadouangkaisone said that after Buddha images and some objects used for making rockets were found on Koud Mountain a year ago, local authorities agreed to develop the site as a tourist attraction.
“We have a lot of tourism potential here. One legend that might interest tourists is the story of the biggest rocket, which was said to have carried a novice from one province to another. We will put a lot of effort into linking the legend of the rocket with the Plain of Jars.”
Construction of a set of concrete steps to the top of the mountain has begun, and when work is complete there will be 1,100 steps in total. The rocket platform has already been opened to local residents, but the department has announced that overseas visitors can also visit the area even though renovation is yet to be completed.
The authorities are now looking for a suitable location for a park. Mr Khomphet explained that such facilities will be vital to cater for the extra tourists if the Plain of Jars is listed as a World Heritage Site.
“If we can accomplish our objective we will be able to hold national and international events just like other provinces. Our rocket festival will be one of our attractions, and will help create income for local people,” he said.
According to local folklore, the Phuan ethnic group used to hold a rocket festival on the mountain to seek good fortune from the gods. They believed that the place where the biggest rocket landed would be especially fertile ground for growing crops.
According to the legend, som e small and medium sized rockets were launched. Then a novice was assigned to launch the biggest rocket. But he was unable to light the rocket and so the venerable monk was asked to launch it before taking off together with the novice to another province.
Source: Vientiane Times
(Latest Update May 11, 2012) "
Posted by LV on Friday, May 11, 2012
" Xieng Khuang province is planning to develop a local park and ancient rocket-launching platform on Koud Mountain as a tourist attraction, in anticipation of the Plain of Jars being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To further their long term plan for tourism development, the Information, Culture and Tourism Department has agreed to work with local authorities to create a park and renovate a structure believed to have been used as the launch platform at rocket festivals in years past. Department Head Mr Khomphet Phomadouangkaisone said that after Buddha images and some objects used for making rockets were found on Koud Mountain a year ago, local authorities agreed to develop the site as a tourist attraction.
“We have a lot of tourism potential here. One legend that might interest tourists is the story of the biggest rocket, which was said to have carried a novice from one province to another. We will put a lot of effort into linking the legend of the rocket with the Plain of Jars.”
Construction of a set of concrete steps to the top of the mountain has begun, and when work is complete there will be 1,100 steps in total. The rocket platform has already been opened to local residents, but the department has announced that overseas visitors can also visit the area even though renovation is yet to be completed.
The authorities are now looking for a suitable location for a park. Mr Khomphet explained that such facilities will be vital to cater for the extra tourists if the Plain of Jars is listed as a World Heritage Site.
“If we can accomplish our objective we will be able to hold national and international events just like other provinces. Our rocket festival will be one of our attractions, and will help create income for local people,” he said.
According to local folklore, the Phuan ethnic group used to hold a rocket festival on the mountain to seek good fortune from the gods. They believed that the place where the biggest rocket landed would be especially fertile ground for growing crops.
According to the legend, som e small and medium sized rockets were launched. Then a novice was assigned to launch the biggest rocket. But he was unable to light the rocket and so the venerable monk was asked to launch it before taking off together with the novice to another province.
Source: Vientiane Times
(Latest Update May 11, 2012) "
