About Lamphun Province
Lamphun is Thailand's smallest province by area and one of its oldest cities — the capital of the ancient Haripunchai kingdom, which predated the founding of Chiang Mai by several centuries. Just 26 km south of Chiang Mai, it is easily the most under-visited provincial capital in the north. The city's Wat Phra That Haripunchai enshrines a 50-metre gilded chedi said to be 1,000 years old and ranks among northern Thailand's most sacred sites. The drive from Chiang Mai to Lamphun along the old Superhighway is lined with tall yang-na trees forming one of the most beautiful canopy tunnels in the region.
Top Highlights
Wat Phra That Haripunchai
over 1,000 years old, one of northern Thailand's most important Buddhist sites
Haripunchai National Museum
Dvaravati and Haripunchai artifacts in a heritage building
Yang-na tree-lined road
beautiful double-row canopy on the old road from Chiang Mai
Lamphun silk weaving
the province produces traditional hand-woven cotton and silk textiles
Getting There
Lamphun is 26 km south of Chiang Mai — red songthaew buses run frequently from Chiang Mai Warorot Market for 15 baht, taking 45 minutes. By car, 30–40 minutes on the old road (scenic) or new highway. No airport or train station in the city itself — Chiang Mai Airport is the entry point.
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Senior Travel Writer · Bangkok · 12+ years in Thailand
James has lived in Bangkok since 2014 and has visited all 77 Thai provinces. He specialises in destination guides, itinerary planning, and transport logistics. Before moving to Thailand, he worked as a travel journalist in Hong Kong and Singapore. He speaks conversational Thai and is a certified PADI divemaster.
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