Lamphun

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 dozens of sights 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.