Neil Aronson This article will give you some local advice for an itinerary with the best things to do in Lamphun Thailand. We will cover the best things to see on a day trip with limited time. Lamphun is both a province and city. We are more focusing on a trip to the city. If you want to enjoy all the best things to do, then I would suggest staying overnight, which is covered below.
Lamphun City is one of the oldest cities in the country that dates all the way back to the 8th Century. It is located only about 40 minutes drive south of Chiang Mai. When visiting Northern Thailand most people visit Chiang Mai or even Chiang Rai. And for good reason, there are a lot of highlights and things to do. However south of Chiang Mai are the districts of Chom Thong and Lamphun you should visit.
Located about 60 Km south of Chiang Mai, and is primarily surrounded by an agricultural region. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the city is home to less than 20,000 residents. Most famous for its historical temples, downtown area with museums and monuments, and good restaurants. The surrounding villages are very nice as well.
Lamphun was founded by Queen Chama Thevi as the capital of the Haripunchai Kingdom, the last and most northerly Mon kingdom in the area which now forms Thailand. While still living in the north King Mangrai (Lanna Kingdom), was visited by some merchants from the Mon Kingdom, and hearing of the wealth of Lamphun he determined to conquer it.
In 1281, with the people in a state of discontent, Mangrai defeated the Mon Kingdom, and added the city and its wealth to his kingdom, while Yi Ba, the last king of Hariphunchai, was forced to flee south to Lampang. The temple Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, is one of the most visited and best things to do in all of Northern Thailand. More on this temple below.
Due to its significant historical value, there is a good list of the best things to do. Lamphun is a great place to make a day trip from Chiang Mai to see all the beautiful ancient Haripunchai temples and learn more about Hariphunchai, the northernmost Mon kingdom in the area.
This itinerary of the best things to do is based on our own experiences, and I am sure if you ask more locals and drive around, you will find even more great places to see. You can also visit Viator for some activity suggestions for the area.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Itinerary For Lamphun.
8:00am Leave Chiang Mai
If you do not have your own car, look for local transportation on 12GO, your source for private cars, busses, trains, and more.
9am-10am Visit Queen Cham Dhavi Monument
You can visit it in 30 minutes, however walk around the immediate area. There are tourist maps and next door is an open air market.
10:30-12:30pm Visit Wat Hariphunchai
Just a few minutes from the monument. You could walk. Outside of the temple is outdoor local shopping, as well as across the street along the river. Get a coffee and Hariphunchai coffee.
Have lunch at Ko Hang Noodles
There are many other great options within a few blocks, including pizza. Ask a local.
1:30pm-3:00pm Visit a museum or historical site.
Some are listed below. Also there are tourist map boards around the city with lots of places to visit.
3:00pm-4:00pm Visit Wat Chamadevi
4:30pm Stop at Kaomai Lanna Resort on you way back to Chiang Mai
Have a coffee and enjoy the beautiful grounds. There is a great museum on site inside the old tobacco silos. Stay overnight if you wish.
Play Golf the next morning at one of the three Gassan Courses.
Wat Phra That Haripunchai
Wat Phrathat Haripunchai Woramahawihan is situated in the center of Lamphun city and surrounded by roads on all sides. Asadharos Road to the North, Chaimongkol Road to the South, Ropmueang Road to the East, and Inthayongyos Road to the West. It is about 150 metres from the City Hall and was built in the mid 12th century, during the reign of King Athitayarat
Wat Hariphunchai is a Lanna/Mon-style temple built in 1150 during the reign of the Haripunchai kingdom to enshrine another Buddha relic found here. The temple complex is huge and comprises many structures, all dated from different periods of time.
Before entering the temple area, you will pass a brick arch with mortar decorated with intricate patterns, which is ancient craftsmanship of the Sriwichai period. It consists of a tiered arch. In front of the arch is a pair of lions standing on a 1-metre high platform. The archway was built during the reign of King Athitayarat when he dedicated the palace to be a sanctuary.
When passing through the arch, you will find a large temple called “Wihan Luang”. There is a balcony all around the Wihan with a porch at the front and the back. It was built to replace the old Wihan in 1915 to be used for merit-making ceremonies and daily religious activities.
The interior enshrines 3 Buddha images made of brick and cement and gilded in lacquer on a glass pedestal, and there are many medium-sized metal Buddha images in the early and middle Chiang Saen periods.
The origin of the next picture, the Buddhist scripture tower, or Ho Tham, was engraved on the stone inscription recording that it was built by Phra Mueang Kaeo and his mother. It was meant to store a Tripitaka script and a golden Buddha image cast on the same occasion.
In this building it houses a really cool museum.
There are two main chedis (Stupa) on the grounds. One is the elaborate large gold one in the center of the property.
The other is the unusual pyramid-shaped, 46 m high Chedi Suwanna in the northwest of the compound is in the Dvaravati-style of the Haripunchai period and believed to be modeled on similar stupas at nearby Wat Chama Thewi. Chedi Suwanna was built in 1418.
We last visited the temple last during Loy Krathong Lantern Festival. Therefor that is why you see all the lanterns everywhere!
Wat Chamadevi
For me, visiting Wat Chamadevi is one of the best things to do in Lamphun. I enjoy it more than the more popular Wat Hariphunchai. I feel like the buildings are as interesting, and it is not nearly as crowded. In fact, last time I was there, no one else was.
Wat Chamadevi, or as the local people call it Wat Ku Kut, is located on Chamadevi Road, Tambon Nai Mueang. It was built in 755 in the Lavo style. The Chedi is a square structure similar to Bodhgaya in India.
Each side of the Chedi has a standing Buddha image in the posture of giving blessings. The ashes of Queen Chamadevi, the first monarch of the Hariphunchai Kingdom, are enshrined within the Chedi. According to legend, Chao Anantayot and Chao Mahantayot, the sons of Queen Chamadevi, built it in the year 755 to enshrine the ashes of the Queen.
The Chedi got its name ‘Kukut’ from its tip part being broken off, where ‘Ku Kuthi’ refers to a Buddhist monk’s residence which may refer to the Buddha images placed in the arched bays around the Chedi.
Around the grounds there are other interesting buildings, such as a lion ‘cave’, with art inside. As well as newer buildings used for meetings and teachings.
Adjacent to the large pagoda is the main hall with its large Buddha image sitting on a brightly decorated altar. There is also a smaller Chedi located on the side of the ordination hall. Set against the line of columns on one side of the hall are three smaller Buddha images cast in colored glass. You’ll note that each of the images is costumed differently, representing the three seasons observed in Thailand.
Play Golf In Lamphun
If you are looking to play golf in Thailand, then you can add it to your itinerary and stay an extra day or two. Golf is one of the best things to do in the area.
Gassan golf group is the largest golf complex in northern Thailand. Gassan consists of three challenging 18 holes golf course set amongst different charming location with stunning peaceful view. offering various levels to suit all standards of golfers. Each golf course provides accommodation with a wide range of facilities.
The Gassan Legacy Golf Club is north of Lamphun city. It was recently opened in 2005 and is considered one of the top courses in Chiang Mai, perhaps Thailand.
Book the resort here on Agoda.
Gasson Panorama Golf Club, is part of the same Gassan group as above. Opened initially in November 2006 the Gassan Panorama Golf Club is the third course in the Gassan Group. The course reopened in 2017 as at the same time took on its new name. At 7,761 yards the longest course in the kingdom, its unique distinction comes from all 18 holes designed around the contour of a large lake in Chiang Mai.
These courses feature great resorts. Check here on Agoda for bookings.
Visit Monuments & Museums
On the itinerary of the best things to do in Lamphun is visiting monuments and museums. Being one of the oldest cities in northern Thailand there is a lot of interesting local history.
In the downtown area of the city is the Queen Cham Dhavi Monument. She was the first monarch and Queen of Hariphunchai, as noted above, she is buried at the temple of the same name. Also note, her name is often spelled also as Jamadevi or Chammathewi.
Walk less than 10 minutes away from this monument, and visit the Haripunchai National Museum. It is the best things to do if you are looking to learn about the Mon Kingdom of Haripunchai. The museum houses over 3000 historical artifacts, bones, relics, and antiques found in Lamphun.
The museum is located along route 106, behind Wat Hariphunchai, as is several other of the best things to do.
The Lamphun Community museum aka Khum Rachasampantawong is located just behind the national museum. It was the residence of prince Rachasampantawong, a prince of Chiang Mai who married princess Songhla of Lamphun. The building dates back to 1912. It is an interesting museum in a beautiful building.
On the corner across from Ko Hang Noodles on route 106, is the Lamphun Provincial Hall. I only mention it because if you are lucky in the courtyard often there are different are pop-up celebrations and markets.
Local Stuff
Have coffee
For me one of the best things to do anywhere is to find some coffee or a cappuccino. Well right outside Wat Hariphunchai there is a great place. Apply named, with very friendly staff and a great cappuccino.
Back To Basics is another unique coffee shop located a block south of the main entrance to Wat Hariphunchai, on the main Mueang Nai road across from the river.
Enjoy local noodles
After I visited the temple with my wife’s family, we needed lunch. My wife’s mom’s local friend was with us, and took us to a place I will recommend forever. Ko Hang Noodles is on the corner of route 106 just across from the Lamphun Provincial Hall. Most dishes are about 60 baht and so simple yet delicious.
Also highly recommend to eat is at Longan Noodles Restaurant, located across the Kuang river from Wat Hariphunchai. You can walk there in less than 5 minutes. I have not been, but I hear the restaurant is known for its delicious Longan, a sweet local fruit, and their use of it in noodles.
Local Markets
Just across the road (Mueang Nai) from Wat Hariphunchai are several local markets located along the river. Here you can find hand made products. On Friday nights this is where the walking street is located.
If you want to check out a local open market, go to Lamphun Chatuchak Market.
Where to stay. Besides the Plantation (below) and Golf Courses, Search here for places to book in the city for overnight stays.
Visit (and stay) at a Tobacco Plantation
If your itinerary includes staying overnight and exploring the areas best things to do, then we have a bonus place. Kaomai Lanna Resort is not actually in Lamphun, it is off route 108, the main highway going to Chiang Mai. However another local took us there for coffee in the afternoon after visiting Lamphun, and it seemed worth including since it was amazing.
Kaomai Lanna Hotel and Resort is a unique boutique accommodation on the route (108) from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon, and close to Lamphun.
The property is an old tobacco plantation that started in the 1950s, and was later turned into the resort which opened in 1997. The rooms are renovated from the former tobacco curing barns, decorated in contemporary Lanna style with colonial style teak wood antique furniture.
Located only 30 minutes from downtown Lamphun city, driving through beautiful countryside and villages. An idea for your itinerary would be to stay here on your way back to Chiang Mai.
We went here to get a coffee, where they have a really cool coffee shop as well as a cafe and a restaurant. 18 old barns were converted into 36 guestrooms in a peaceful garden setting with lots of wildlife, and shade!
I took a video while there, which you can view on YouTube.
I recommend finding a unique resort such as this one of one of the many others on Agoda.
Please drop us a note if you want more information, and enjoy your travels.
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