10 Best Things to Do in Lamphun, Thailand (2026)
Most people visiting northern Thailand never make it past Chiang Mai. That’s a mistake.
Lamphun sits just 30 minutes south and it’s actually older than Chiang Mai by several centuries. Founded in the 7th century as the capital of the Hariphunchai Kingdom, it was once the most important city in the north.
Today it’s a quiet, walkable town surrounded by ancient moats, longan orchards and village life that feels like Thailand did 20 years ago. No tourist crowds, no inflated prices, no tuk-tuk drivers hassling you every five steps.
Here are the best things to do when you visit.
1. Explore Wat Phra That Hariphunchai (วัดพระธาตุหริภุญชัย)
This is Lamphun’s crown jewel and one of the most important Buddhist temples in all of Thailand. The 46-meter golden chedi is said to house a relic of the Buddha and dates back over 1,000 years. It’s featured on Thailand’s one-satang coin.
The temple grounds are beautifully maintained, with intricate Lanna carvings, a massive bronze gong cast in 1860, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that Chiang Mai’s temples lost years ago.
If you were born in the Year of the Rooster, this temple is considered especially auspicious for you. You’ll notice rooster statues all around the grounds.
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Robes are available at the entrance if needed. Entry is free.
2. Walk Through the Ancient Old Town
Lamphun’s old town is shaped like an oval conch shell, bordered by the Kuang River on one side and ancient moats on the other. The whole thing is compact enough to walk end to end in about 15 minutes, which makes it perfect for a slow morning stroll.
What makes it special is the architecture. Beyond the temples, you’ll find mid-century Thai modernist shophouses, old teak buildings, and a mix of Lanna and colonial-influenced design that you won’t see anywhere else.
There are still sections of the original city walls standing, particularly around Tha Nang Gate, which is the most impressive remnant.
No entrance fee, no crowds. Just you and a very old, very quiet town.
3. Visit Wat Chamadevi (วัดจามเทวี)
Also known as Wat Ku Kut, this temple holds the ashes of Queen Chamadevi, the legendary warrior queen who founded Lamphun. The distinctive stepped pyramid-style chedi has 60 Buddha sculptures set into its niches. It’s one of the oldest surviving Dvaravati-period structures in Thailand, dating back to the 8th century.
Inside the main hall, colorful murals tell the story of Chamadevi’s life and the city’s founding. There’s also a small museum dedicated to the revered Lamphun monk Kruba Srivichai, who built the road up to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.
A quiet, reflective spot that rarely sees tourists.
4. Wander the Terracotta Garden (สวนไม้ไทยพ่อเลี้ยงหมื่น)
This one catches everyone off guard. Spread across a massive compound about 7km from Lamphun town, the Terracotta Garden is a sculpture park with hundreds of handmade terracotta figures — Buddhist statues, Lanna kingdom figures, Ganesha, Shiva, Nagas. All painstakingly sculpted from clay using traditional techniques by artist Suttiphong Maiwan, who started the project back in 1975.
The grounds feel almost Cambodian, with Khmer-inspired structures surrounding a lake. There’s a cafe and restaurant tucked inside where you can sit surrounded by waterfalls and sculptures while having a surprisingly excellent Khao Soi or Pad Thai.
Open daily 9am to 6pm. Free entry. The restaurant prices are reasonable. You’ll need your own transport to get here as there’s no public transit.
5. Make Your Own Jewelry at KIN-GYO Craft & Workshop
Tucked inside Judy’s Village in Wiang Yong, KIN-GYO is a cozy little craft studio where you sit down and make your own bracelets, necklaces, keychains, rings and more from hundreds of colorful beads and charms.
It’s not a formal class. You just pick your materials, get some guidance, and create something.
It’s a fun, relaxed activity whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with kids.
While you’re there, grab a coffee at Judy’s Home Cafe next door. It’s a popular riverside spot with big shady trees, homemade roasted coffee, and friendly ducks wandering around.
6. Eat Longan Noodles (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวลำไย)
Lamphun is the longan capital of Thailand, and somebody had the brilliant idea of putting longan into noodles. It sounds weird. It works.
The most famous spot is just past the bridge outside Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. You can get them soupy (the traditional way) or dry. The flavor is slightly sweet, a bit like Pad Thai but with longan instead of tamarind. Add peanuts and unripe mango on top. Wash it down with fresh longan juice.
If you visit during longan season (July to August), the whole province celebrates with the annual Longan Festival. Parades, markets, fresh fruit everywhere.
7. Browse the Friday Night Walking Street (ถนนคนเดินลำพูน)
Every Friday from 5pm, the road in front of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai closes to traffic and transforms into a walking street market. Local crafts, traditional woven textiles, handmade jewelry, and more street food than you can handle.
It’s not flashy or tourist-oriented like the Chiang Mai Sunday Market. It’s a local market where Lamphun residents come to eat, shop, and hang out. That’s what makes it good. Fried mushrooms from the street vendors are reportedly exceptional.
The daily Nong Dok morning market is also worth a visit for fresh produce, local snacks, and handmade goods at prices that haven’t been adjusted for tourism.
8. Sip Coffee at Lamphun’s Old Town Cafes
Lamphun has a quietly growing cafe scene, mostly centered along Inthayongyot Road and around the temple area. These aren’t generic coffee chains. They’re independent spots set up inside restored heritage buildings.
Temple House sits right across from Wat Phra That Hariphunchai with near-panoramic views of the temple through a glass window grid. House-made cheesecakes and fruit tarts.
Yann Slow Bar is hidden above a barbershop, through an alleyway and up a creaky staircase. They do creative drinks like lychee coffee and mango lattes.
Aq Bur Old Town opened in a grand 1950s honey-colored building near Tha Nang Gate and serves excellent desserts.
All three are within walking distance of each other. Perfect for a slow afternoon.
9. Take the Train from Chiang Mai
Half the fun of visiting Lamphun is the journey. The old train from Chiang Mai takes about 30 minutes and costs next to nothing. It’s slow, rattly, and runs through the countryside past longan orchards and rice paddies. Way more interesting than a Grab ride.
Alternatively, catch a blue songthaew (shared pickup truck) from near the Iron Bridge in Chiang Mai for 20 baht. Or just ride a scooter down the old Highway 106, which is lined with towering 30-meter yang trees for 12 kilometers. It’s one of the most scenic short rides in northern Thailand.
10. Day Trip to Doi Khun Tan National Park
If you want to add some nature to your Lamphun trip, Doi Khun Tan National Park sits on the border of Lamphun and Lampang provinces. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Thailand, with hiking trails through pine and dipterocarp forests, mountain viewpoints, and cool weather year-round.
The unique thing is you can actually get there by train. The park entrance is near Khun Tan railway station, and you walk through Thailand’s longest railway tunnel (1.3km) to reach the trailheads. It’s a solid half-day hike up to the summit if you’re feeling energetic.
How to Get to Lamphun from Chiang Mai
Lamphun is only 26km south of Chiang Mai. You have a few options:
- Train: Departs from Chiang Mai station. About 30 minutes, very cheap.
- Blue songthaew: Pick one up near the Iron Bridge (สะพานเหล็ก) east of the old city. 20 baht per person.
- Grab/Bolt: Around 150 to 200 baht depending on traffic.
- Scooter: Take the old Highway 106 through the famous tree-lined road. About 30 minutes.
Most of Lamphun’s attractions are walkable once you’re in town. For places outside the center like the Terracotta Garden or Doi Khun Tan, you’ll need your own transport.
How Long to Spend in Lamphun
A full day is enough to see the main temples, eat longan noodles, visit a cafe or two, and catch the walking street if it’s a Friday.
But if you like slow travel, spending a night gives you time to really soak it in. Lamphun has affordable accommodation and the evening atmosphere is peaceful.