Lamphun
ลำพูน
Ancient Haripunchai kingdom with stunning temples, traditional weaving villages, and longan orchards.
Wats, shrines & spiritual sites
Temples in Lamphun
Waterfalls, peaks, caves & parks
Nature & outdoors around Lamphun
Night markets, street food & shopping
Markets & bazaars in Lamphun
Museums, history & heritage
Museums & culture in Lamphun
Carving village in Maeta Distrcit
Dhamma Park and Arts Chamber
Hariphunchai National Museum
Khruba Sriwichai Monument
Khun Tan Tunnel
Ku Chang-Ku Ma
Statue of Queen Chamadevi
Tambon Wiang Yong Fabric Center
Tha Chomphu Bridge
The archaeological site of Kho Klang temple
Urban Lamphun Museum
Yok Dok Lamphun Thai Cloth Learning and Conservation Centre
Crafts, communities & farms
Villages & countryside around Lamphun
Things to do on the map
Tap a pin for details — 40 places in Lamphun plotted.
When to go
Nov–Feb Cool, clear skies and low humidity make this the most comfortable time for temple visits. The best window for a day trip from Chiang Mai.
Mar–Apr Burning season brings haze across the north and air quality can deteriorate sharply. Temples are still accessible but visibility suffers and outdoor time is less pleasant.
Jun–Oct Monsoon brings regular afternoon rain. Lamphun's rainfall is milder than the deep south, and mornings often stay clear. August is worth timing for the Longan Festival.
About Lamphun
Last updated June 2026
Lamphun is the quiet neighbour to Chiang Mai — just 26km south but an entirely different pace. It was the capital of the ancient Hariphunchai kingdom, one of the oldest Mon settlements in Thailand, and that heritage shows in its temples and city layout. With 62 attractions and almost zero tourist infrastructure, Lamphun is a genuine day trip from Chiang Mai that most visitors never make.
What to See & Do
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is the centrepiece — a Mon-era temple with a 46-metre golden chedi, said to contain a relic of the Buddha. It’s one of the most revered temples in northern Thailand. The monastery compound includes a small museum with Hariphunchai-era artefacts.
Lamphun’s second major temple, Wat Chamadevi (Wat Ku Kut), contains two distinct chedis that are among the finest surviving examples of Mon-Dvaravati architecture in Thailand. The larger Suwan Chang Kot chedi (around 21 metres) has a square base rising through five diminishing tiers, each face set with three Buddha niches — a form built to commemorate a Hariphunchai victory over a Khmer army around 1150. Beside it stands the smaller octagonal Ratana Chedi from the early 13th century, its standing Buddha figures characteristic of Mon craftsmanship. Neither chedi was restored in the heavy-handed manner that mars several northern temples; the weathered stone is close to its original state. The surrounding old town is compact and walkable, with crumbling city walls and a moat that predates Chiang Mai’s.
Outside town, the longan orchards are a key part of the local economy — Lamphun is Thailand’s single largest longan-producing province, accounting for roughly 37% of the national planted area. The annual Longan Festival (usually August) fills the streets with fruit stalls, beauty pageants and parades. Fresh longan is available from roadside vendors along Route 106 from June through August.
Where to Stay
Most visitors base in Chiang Mai and day-trip to Lamphun. Local accommodation is limited to a handful of small hotels and guesthouses in the 300-600 baht range.
Getting There
Blue songthaews run from Chiang Mai’s Warorot Market to Lamphun every 20 minutes (30 baht, 40 minutes). By car or motorbike, take Route 106 south — a straight, tree-lined road flanked by towering yang trees that’s one of the most scenic short drives in the north.
Best Time to Visit
November to February is cool and ideal for temple visits. August brings the Longan Festival. March-April has burning season haze. The monsoon is mild compared to the deep south.
Insider Tip: The Route 106 road from Chiang Mai to Lamphun, lined with 100-year-old yang (dipterocarp) trees, is worth the drive alone. Stop at the roadside fruit stalls midway for seasonal longan, lychee and mango.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lamphun
How do I get from Chiang Mai to Lamphun?
Blue songthaews depart from Warorot Market in Chiang Mai roughly every 20 minutes (30 baht, around 40 minutes). By car or motorbike, take Route 106 south — about 26km on a straight road flanked by large yang trees. There is no direct train service from Chiang Mai city centre to Lamphun town.
How long do I need in Lamphun?
A half-day is enough to see Wat Phra That Hariphunchai and the old town on foot. A full day allows time for Wat Chamadevi, the city museum and a ride out to the longan orchards. Almost all visitors base themselves in Chiang Mai and day-trip in.
When is the best time to visit Lamphun?
November to February is the most comfortable period — cool, clear and low humidity. March and April bring burning-season haze across the north, which can reduce visibility significantly. August is worth timing a visit for the Longan Festival, when the town fills with fruit stalls and street parades.
What is Wat Phra That Hariphunchai?
It is the most important temple in Lamphun, founded in the Mon-era Hariphunchai kingdom and home to a 46-metre golden chedi said to contain a relic of the Buddha. The compound includes a small museum of Hariphunchai-era artefacts. Entry is free for visitors dressed modestly.
Is there anything to do in Lamphun besides temples?
The longan orchards outside town are worth a ride — Lamphun province produces a large share of Thailand's longan crop and roadside stalls sell fresh fruit in season (June–August). The Route 106 tree-lined road itself is considered one of the more scenic short drives in northern Thailand.
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