Lamphun: ancient Haripunjaya

Phra Borommathat Haripunchai

Most people visit Lamphun from Chiang Mai. By train it takes about 30 minutes, with 2 trains early morning, and two return trains in the evening. The station is some 2km from the town center, but Song Thaews wait at the station. 

Bus services run from Chang Puak Bus terminal in Chiang Mai, north of Chang Puak Gate, and a blue Song Thaew service runs from just south of Narawat bridge on the east side of the river. Price is 14 Baht and the journey takes around 30 minutes. Many people also hire cars or motorcycles from Chiang Mai. 

Buses and Song Thaews stop at the rear entrance to Wat Phrathat. Return bus or Song Thaew to Chiang Mai can be found outside the Lamphun Museum, opposite the west gate of Wat Phrathat Haripunchai.

Lamphun is one of the most ancient cities in Thailand, dating back at least to the 8th century C.E. when it was the center of the Mon kingdom of Haripunjaya.

The city lies along the west bank of the Mae Kuang River, about 26km south of Chiang Mai. The old city center forms an oval shape, oriented NE to SW, about 1km long by 500m wide, moated on all sides. There was formerly a wall as well, but this is long gone, though sections have been re-built at the NE and NW city gates, with an extended section by the river. 

The town is very quiet, but well worth a visit for the ancient temples of Wat Phrathat Haripunchai, Wat Mahawan, Wat Phra Yuen and Wat Chamathevi. 

Getting There

Getting Around

Walking is a good way to tour Lamphun, but samlors are recommended for visiting Wat Phra Yuen, Wat Chamathevi, and the Ku Chang shrine. 

Hotels

I have never been tempted to stay in Lamphun - Chiang Mai is very close - but I have noticed a couple of pleasant looking GUEST HOUSES on the way to Wat Chamathevi

Read more details
http://www.thailandbytrain.com/Lamphun.html