Lamphun, a small northern province sandwiched between Chiang Mai and Lampang has a long and storied history. Lamphun was founded as the city of Haripunjaya, a Mon kingdom-city, arguably part of the Dvaravati civilization, established in the ninth (perhaps seventh) century by former Buddhist monks from Lopburi. Haripunjaya was first ruled by Queen Camadevi, daughter of the king of Lopburi, who established a legacy for the province’s reputation for beautiful women. The kingdom she ruled over thrived for several centuries, exerting wide influence across the region, before King Meng Rai used subterfuge to conquer the town in late 12th century and integrate it into the Lan Na Kingdom based in nearby Chiang Mai.
Today, Lamphun still retains the enchanting ambience of a small but old community, where life moves at a leisurely pace and remnants of the city’s fortifications remind visitors of the city’s proud history. Lamphun is some 670 kilometers from Bangkok and only 26 kilometers from Chiang Mai. Located on the banks of the Kuang River, Lamphun features a skyline made of temple spires and attractions across the province include ancient sites as well as forests, mountains, and lakes.
Nearly a thousand years after subjugation by the Lanna Kingdom from Chiang Rai, Lamphun remains a fairly sleepy province, particularly in contrast to its more popular and populous neighbor, Chiang Mai. This is in fact Lamphun’s allure. The charming provincial capital retains its fortified, moat-enclosed old city where the local population lives a relatively slow-paced lifestyle. Visitors will enjoy visiting exquisite temples via bicycle or samlor, bicycle powered cabs, and exploring a lush countryside where various hill tribe communities live and a number of natural attractions, including as Doi Khun Than National Park, feature many exotic plants and wildlife.
Accommodation
Lamphun features a number of different accommodation options including charming guesthouses, Lanna style resorts, and rural home stays, where visitors can experience authentic Thai life.
Transport
Lamphun is a small province located between Lampang and Chiang Mai and is easily reached via car, bus or train. It is also possible to take a plane to Chiang Mai and then a short bus to Lamphun. Once there, it may be easier to get around with your own car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaews, motorbike taxis, samlors, and tuk tuks.
Getting to and from Lamphun
By Train:
Trains leave Bangkok’s Hua Lumphong Railway Station every day for Chiang Mai, all of which make stops in Lamphun, 30 to 45 minutes away from Chiang Mai. Call 1690 for more information.
By Car:
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Nakhon Sawan via Sing Buri and Chai Nat, then turn into Highway No. 11 and proceed to Lamphun, a total distance of 670 kilometers.
From Chiang Mai simply drive south on either Highway No.11 or No.106 to Lamphun.
By Bus:
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned busses depart daily from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) to Lamphun. Traveling time is about 9 hours. Call 0 2936 0852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Indra Tour, a private bus company, also operates air-conditioned busses to Lamphun. Call 0 2208 0840 for information.
By Air:
Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then take a Chiang Mai-Lamphun bus that leaves Chiang Mai’s Chang Phueak Bus Station every 15 minutes. Traveling time from Chiang Mai to Lamphun is 45 minutes.
Getting Around Lamphun
As in most rural Thai provinces there are typically songtaews that follow established routes around the provincial capital and local busses and songtaews for trips between towns within the province. Songtaews, motorbike taxis, and samlors (three wheeled pedal powered cabs) are usually available for private charter as well.
To Mae Ping National Park:
By Car:
From Lamphun take road number 1087 (Li-Ko) along which the park headquarters is located between kilometers 20 and 21.
By Ship:
As the Ping River flows through the park, visitors can take a boat from Doi Tao Reservoir, Chiang Mai province to Bhumipol Dam in Tak Province and then onto Doi Tao Reservoir
Attractions
A charming and historic northern city, Lamphun features many natural and cultural attractions, including beautiful temples, hill tribe villages, and two national parks. The following are some of the most popular attractions in Lamphun:
Tours & Packages
As Lamphun is a somewhat popular tourist destination there are numerous tour packages available from tour providers throughout Thailand.
Food & Drink
Options in Lamphun, Thailand
Most restaurants on Lamphun serve a variety of cuisines, including Thai and international foods. Most guesthouse and resorts have restaurants that serve both. The following are some of the restaurants on Lamphun
Shopping
Options in Lamphun, Thailand
As in most provincial capitals, Lamphun features a central market where locals can buy everything from groceries to household appliances and visitors can shop for clothing and other necessary supplies. In addition to the shopping venues listed below, there are often locally produced handicrafts available at central markets, the occasional night market, and from village workshops in smaller towns throughout the province.
Area of Responsibility: Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun
Language Support: English
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