Lamphun is the smallest of Thailand’s nine Northern provinces in terms of area, but when it comes to quality of its attractions, the province gives the others a run for their money. If you normally pass through this tiny yet beautiful province while on the way to somewhere else, we are on a mission to change your mind with our route of two days and one night that will allow you to slowly explore its fascinating history and culture.
Day 1
1. Queen Chamadevi Monument
2. Urban Lamphun Museum
3. Wat Phrathat Hariphuchai Woramahawiihan
4. Longan Noodle Shop
5. Kad Khua Mung Tha Sing local market
6. Dharma Park Gallery
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Day 2
7. Wat Phra Phutthabat Phanam
8. Phra Bat Huai Tom community
Queen Chamadevi Monument
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To ensure our trip to Lamphun goes smoothly, we visit the statue of Queen Chamadevi to ask for the blessing of the first ruler of the Hariphunchai kingdom, the former name of Lamphun.
The legendary Queen is believed to have ruled the ancient kingdom, which lasted around 1,300 years before later being integrated with the kingdoms of Lanna and eventually with Thailand.
The Monument was erected in recognition of her perfect virtue, decisiveness and bravery defending the kingdom during times of war. She was also honoured for promoting and patronising Buddhism in her Kingdom.
The statue is located in a small, tidy park where you will see a constant flow of Lamphun residents coming to pay respect to her every day.
A terracotta wall with an elaborate gopura behind the Queen’s statue displays the illustrious history of Lamphun from the time of its foundation until that of the last ruler in 1943.
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Rop Mueang Nai Road, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun
Urban Lamphun Museum
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This beautiful museum is housed in the former mansion of Chao Ratchasamphanthawong, a brother in-law of Lamphun’s last ruler. Built in 1912, the century-old building now displays the history of Lamphun, including the biography of its former owner, old photos showing people’s activities and important events, as well as vintage TV sets, radios, record players and more. The Museum also features a replica of Hariphunchai Rama, Lamphun’s once popular cinema. It even brings back for the younger generation the bygone atmosphere of Sri Lamphun Hotel, the province’s first hotel, which has now closed.
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Soi Wang Sai, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tel. 0 5351 4500
Urban Lamphun Museum.
Wat Phrathat Hariphuchai Woramahawiihan
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This is the province’s most important Buddhist temple, the spiritual centre of Lamphun residents. It was built in the 11th century in the grounds of a former palace belonging to King Athittayarat, the 33rd King of the Hariphunchai kingdom. The king donated his royal residence to house the Buddha’s relics, which are enshrined in the main chedi.
The temple has a Wihan enshrined with a seated Buddha Image in the gesture of subduing mara named Phra Maha Muni Sri Hariphunchai.
Thais believe that Wat Phrathat Hariphuchai is the temple for those who were born in the Year of the Rooster. If you’re a rooster child, visit the temple and pay homage to the chedi for special blessings and auspiciousness.
The temple grounds also feature many fine Lanna style monuments. It’s worth noting that Chiang Mai’s Phrathat Doi Suthep chedi was modelled after the chedi of Wat Phrathat Hariphuchai, a testament to Lamphun’s glorious past.
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Rop Mueang Nai Road, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun
For lunch in Lamphun town, we recommend a longan noodle shop just across the Kuang River in front of the temple. It is a short walk away and easily spotted. This noodle shop is famous for adding dried longans, Lamphun’s major produce, to their signature dish. “The taste and aroma of the longan-infused soup that perfectly complements the pork stew noodle,” according to our own noodle expert in residence.
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Lamphun-Pa Sang Road, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tel. 08 7549 2229
Kad Khua Mung Tha Sing local market
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This local market is located on a covered bridge over the Kuang River. It is distinctively roofed with terracotta shingles and decorated in a delightful Lanna style. Here, you will find a variety of goods ranging from food to souvenirs, accessories and woven fabrics from different districts of Lamphun. It’s very challenging to leave this market empty handed!
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Rop Mueang Nai Road, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Dharma Park Gallrey
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We conclude our tour of Lamphun town at a contemporary art gallery belonging to an Internationally recognised artist and a famous son of Lamphun.
The art gallery, officially recognised as the house of a national artist by the Thai authorities, features a collection of more than 500 pieces of art by Inson Wongsam, whose vast repertoire includes paintings, sculptures, prints, metal and woodwork.
The prolific artist, now in his eighties, is renowned for his journey from Thailand to Europe on a scooter more than 50 years ago. His works have been admired both at home and abroad, and are worthy of your time while in Lamphun.
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109/2 Mu 1, Ban Pasang Noi, Tambon Ban Pan, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun.
Open Wednesday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tel. (053) 521 609 or (089) 434 5743.
We recommend you stay overnight in Amphoe Li, some 100 km. from Lamphun town to follow this Lamphun route.
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Day 2
Wat Phra Phutthabat Phanam
When on vacation, many Thais love to get up very early to marvel at the sunrise and the scenery enshrined in mist from a mountain top if they manage to find one. This morning, we rise for the mist at Wat Phra Phutthabat Phanam, a mountaintop temple and a popular viewpoint. To reach the peak of the mountain, you can either climb its 432 steps or take your vehicle but please be aware that the road is narrow and unpaved.
Beside spectacular views of the district of Li, you can also pay respect to a Buddha footprint and a golden chedi for auspiciousness.
The lower part of the temple grounds is the location of a memorial monument to Kruba Aphichai Khaopi, who helped renovate the temple.
He was a revered monk and a prominent disciple of Lanna’s most respected monk Kruba Sriwiichai, who was also a Lamphun native.
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Tambon Pa Pai, Amphoe Li, Lamphun
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phra Bat Huai Tom community is our next stop in Amphoe Li. The community is home to an ethnic Karen hilltribe or Pga-gan Yaw as they prefer to be called. This hilltribe community is known for their strict vegetarian diet.
Vegetarians will be especially happy to visit this community as all local food shops serve only veggie dishes.
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Wat Phra Bat Huai Tom is the largest temple in Amphoe Li. Its wihan houses a glass coffin containing the body of Kruba Wong, a monk highly revered by the community. Every Buddhist holy day, villagers will give vegetarian food to the monks and cook vegetarian dishes for them at the temple, a practice unique to this community.
Young Pga-gan Yaw guides are on hand to show you around the temple.
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Tambon Na Sai, Amphoe Li, Lamphun
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wat Phra Bat Huai Tom
This golden chedi was built by Kruba Wong as an imitation of Myanmar’s world-renowned Shwedagon pagoda. It is called Phra Mahathat Chedi Sri Wiang Chai and located in Wat Nong Wua Thao of Amphoe Li. Meat and alcohol are strictly forbidden within the chedi’s grounds, which are also home to many other Buddhist structures.
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Mu 9, Ban Nong Pu, Tambon Na Sai, Amphoe Li, Lamphun
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phra Bat Huai Tom community is noted for its fine craftsmanship; such as, traditional weaving and woodcarving. Its ornamental silver products and handmade knives are of outstanding quality. Visitors are recommended to visit its handicraft research centre to buy its products or observe the making process.
To have a local guide for a community tour, please contact 065 7349 427
