When standing on the banks of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang the undulating hills on the far shore may be thought to resemble a man and a woman lying down in a line, at least this is what the locals have long thought. The hills are in fact called Phou Thao ,"Man Mountain", to the south and Phou Nang, "Woman Mountain", to the north. There is also an ancient story to explain this strange topography, which is told well in the sign below, located at the bottom of the stairs leading up to Vat Chomphet.
This story of the twelve sisters is not unique to Luang Prabang and versions are told In Thailand and Cambodia also. But in addition to have two hills marking the spot where Nang Khanghi and Thao Putasen died, Luang Prabang folklore says that the hermit that changed the giant-queen's letter lived in cave in Pha Tat Kae, across the river from The Grand Hotel in Ban Xieng Keo. The spot where Thao Putsasen fought against Nang Khanghi is on the banks of the Mekong below Vat Phabath Tai, And the That Luang Market area is said to be Suan Dhan, the divine garden where Nang Kanghi grew magical limes.
The above sign and content is provided by the Department of Information Culture and Tourism, Luang Prabang Province.