Explore Ancient Lamphun Tour

Price per person in THB
2 persons3 persons4 persons5 persons6 persons7 persons8 persons
3,9003,0002,4002,1002,0001,8001,700

This is a private tour.

This is an in-depth exploration of Lamphun, the ancient capital of the Haripunchai Kingdom. This town is several hundred years older than Chiang Mai and is steeped in history.
Lamphun sees few tourists and is very traditional. Please dress respectfully. As you will be visiting many Buddhist temples today we recommend long trousers and shirts that cover the shoulders.
What to bring

A cap or hat against the sun
Easy walking shoes (sandals are OK as you have to take off your shoes before entering a temple)

From: 3,900.00 ฿

Lamphun, the ancient capital of Hariphunchai

Giant trees on the road to Lamphun

Our guide and driver will meet you at your Chiang Mai hotel for your Lamphun tour, the former capital of the Hariphunchai kingdom. It is a private tour, so we are very flexible today. We will drive to Lamphun along the old Chiang Mai-Lamphun road, lined with giant trees. You will hear the story of why they planted these giant yang trees only halfway to Lamphun. The trees along the old Chiang Mai-Lamphun road have protected status.

Our first stop will be at Baan Umong. Here we will stop at a shop for a taste of the famous Umong Longan wine*. Lamyai, aka Longan, is the dominant fruit of this area. We will visit a lamyai processing factory and plantation. The annual Lamphun Lamyai Festival takes place during or just after the harvest in July/August. For those interested, we organize a customized Lamphun tour to watch the parade in Lamphun. After this, we will drive to Lamphun.

The elephants of Queen Chamathewi

First, we will visit Ku Chang, a chedi that contains the relic of the war elephant of Chamathewi, aka Camadevi, the first queen of the Hariphunchai Kingdom. The next stop will be Wat Phra Yuen, a quiet temple amidst exotic, towering palm trees. Next, we will visit the tiny but delicate Tai Yong textile museum. Many of Lamphun’s inhabitants are Tai Yong. These are, in fact, Tai Lue from Muang Yong in Myanmar. These people migrated about 200 years ago from Northern Shan State (now Myanmar) to Lamphun. It is a fascinating story. We walk through the “OTOP” (one district, one product) market to Wat Hariphunchai, one of the most revered temples of North Thailand. This magnificent temple is the main attraction of Lamphun and draws many visitors, mainly Thai people.

Wat Kukut and Chiang Mai Doll Making Centre and Museum

Lunch will be in a local restaurant that serves dishes with, yes, you guessed it right, lamyai! This small restaurant is very popular with locals. The lamyai juice is delicious as well.  After lunch, we will continue to the local fresh food market of Lamphun, where your guide will take you along and let you taste some delicacies and chat with the vendors. We will leave the market to burn some incense and candles at the statue of Queen Chamathewi before we continue our Lamphun Tour to Wat Ku Kut, one of the oldest religious structures in Lamphun. The ancient Mahabol Chedi, aka the Suwan Chang Kot Chedi, is of particular interest, with its Buddha images.

Wiang Kum Kam, the “Atlantis” of Chiang Mai

After this, we will drive the short distance to Sanpatong, visiting the Chiang Mai Doll Making Centre and Museum. This museum and factory is a hidden gem of North Thailand. Not only can you witness the most exquisite dolls being handmade, but there is also a stunning exhibition of dolls from all over the world. We will then drive back to Chiang Mai along the Ping River. Our last stop today will be the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam. This was the first settlement on the Ping River, dating back to 1282.

The Fine Arts Department has excavated and restored many of the temple ruins of Wiang Kum Kam. We will stop at the most interesting ruins of Wat E-Kang, Wat Pu Pia, and Wat Chedi Liam. The chedi of Wat Chedi Liam also has Buddha images, similar to Wat Kukut in Lamphun. After this, we drop you off at your hotel in Chiang Mai. We hope you enjoyed your Lamphun Tour.

For more things to do in Lamphun, please have a look here. We also have a tour that combines Wiang Kum Kam and Lamphun with Doi Suthep.

*Please note that this shop is closed on Sunday

Old elephant statues
Elephants at Wat Hua Nong

Highlights

Ancient road with 100 year old trees

Longan (lamyai) winery

Longan (lamyai) plantation

Ku Chang, burial place of the royal elephant

Wat Phra Yuen

Tai Yong Museum

Market with traditional products

Wat Hariphunchai

Lamphun fresh food market

Statue of Queen Chamathewi

Wat Kukut aka Wat Chamathewi

Chiang Mai Doll Museum

Wiang Kum Kam, the “Atlantis of Chiang Mai”

Inclusions

What is included

Transportation by private AC minivan
English speaking guide
Sightseeing as indicated
Lunch
Drinking water during meals
Entrance fees
Limited medical insurance

What is not included

All drinks except drinking water during meals
Personal expenses
Tips
Other expenses that are not mentioned in the itinerary

Timeline

08.00 – Drive to Lamphun
09.00 – Visit Ku Chang
09.30 – Visit Wat Phra Yuen
10.15 – Tai Yong textile museum
11.00 – Visit Wat Hariphunchai
12.00 – Lunch at local restaurant
13.00 – Visit Wat Kukut
13.30 – Depart from Lamphun
14.30 – Visit Chiang Mai Doll Making Centre and Museum
16.00 – Visit Wiang Kum Kam
16.30 – Drive back to hotel
17.00 – Drop off at the hotel