Lamphun

LAMPHUN is a town in Northern Thailand and also the capital of Lamphun Province. It lies in the Ping River Valley 675 km north of Bangkok, resp. 20 km south of Chiang Mai. The population of the provincial town is roughly 15000.
Lamphun is the smallest province in Northern Thailand. Yes, of course the big neighbor Chiang Mai can boast more attractions, there are still enough things to do in Lamphun. It comes as a surprise for many to find out that Lamphun was founded centuries before Chiang Mai and was an important city in the north.
Today, Lamphun still retain its enchanting ambience of a small but old community, located on the banks of the Kuang River. Its attractions include ancient sites and relics as well as forests and mountains and delightful lakes. It is also the most famous producer of longans.

THE LEGEND handed down for more than 1,400 years refer to this ancient town as Hariphunchai. Its first ruler was Queen Chamthewi, who was of Mon extraction. In late 12th century King Mengrai overran the town and subsequently integrated it into the Lanna Kingdom.

GETTING THERE. As Lamphun is located just 25 km from downtown Chiang Mai you can comfortably visit it on a half day tour. If you travel independently take the bus, train or taxi. Once in Lamphun, you can cover most of the main sights in the compact town center by foot or bicycle. Hiring a samlor (bicycle rickshaw) for a trip around the town center would be another option.

ATTRACTIONS. Lamphun is an ideal province for those who love to have a tour in natural and traditional and it is host to one of northern Thailand's most important temples (beside many others), Wat Phra That Haripunchai. The gold-covered Chedi is said to contain a relic of Buddha. The town is surrounded by lush countryside punctuated by rice fields and orchards of the popular fruit Longan, which is celebrated in a festival every August.
Outside of town The Golden Rock at Wat Phra That In Kwaen on a small hilltop is another interesting diversion if you are travelling around this province.
Festivals. The Lamphun Lamyai Festival is an annual event that takes place here in Juky/August. This festival is also known as the Longan Fair or festival. Lamyai is the Thai name for longan. Lamphun is the center of a large area of lamyai orchards.
Loy Kratong Festival is celebrated all over Thailand, but Lamphun is definitely one of the more interesting places to witness it with the beautiful colorful lanterns at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai.