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Situated to the south east of Chiang Mai, Lamphun
Province is steeped in history and culture. The province
capital is the quiet town of Lamphun, which can be
found 670 kilometres from Bangkok. The town is located
on the bank of the Kuang River and contains many interesting
attractions including ancient sites and relics, forests,
mountains and pretty lakes. Lamphun is also well known
as a producer of longans, the extremely sweet and
delicious Thai fruit with its hard, yellow shell.
Lamphun is an area of great natural beauty. Particularly
picturesque is the Mae Ping National Park, with its
lush forests and the Ping River running through it.
The park is also home to the seven-tiered Namtok Ko
Luang and a limestone cave full of stalactites and
stalagmites.
Another area of intense natural beauty is the Doi
Khun Tan National Park, with its pretty orchids and
lilies as well as impressive bamboo and pine forests.
Namtok Tat Moei is an imposing waterfall in this park
and an interesting feature is that it can be reached
directly by train from Chiang Mai.
Lamphun is blessed with a large number of sites of
highly respected historical and cultural importance.
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai was built during the reign
of King Arthitayarat, a descendant of Queen Chamthewi,
around 800 years ago. Principal features of this temple
include the 46-metre tall golden chedi and the Khmer-style
Buddha statue. Other interesting temples in this area
include Wat Phra Yuen, Wat Mahawan, Wat Chamthewi
and the highly revered Wat Phra Phutthabat Tak Pha,
where according to legend the Lord Buddha once stayed,
leaving a likeness of monk's saffron robe and his
footprint imprinted in the stone ground.
The impressive Hariphunchai National Museum is a
good place to discover the area's rich and interesting
history. The museum features displays of prehistoric
human skeletons and objects of arts from the Dvaravati,
Hariphunchai, Lanna and Rattanakosin periods. There
also some interesting displays of temple art, which
has been carefully collected and displayed over a
period of several years.
Another way to get an idea of the area's history
and culture is by visiting Ban Hong, which is the
site of a warm and welcoming 1,400-year-old community
dating back to the Hariphunchai Kingdom.
If you are interested in handicrafts, the cotton
weaving village of Pasong makes a good day trip. Whilst
there, pay
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Chang Khao No and the bustling market places, where
you can buy a wide range of cotton products.
There are a large number of interesting celebrations
in Lamphun Province. Particularly vibrant is the Lam
Yai Festival, which takes place in the second week
of August. Also known as the Longan Fair, the objective
is to promote the area's sweet and succulent the fruit.
The festival features a parade of floats made from
longan fruit and the Miss Lam Yai contest.
Another popular event is the Song Nam Phra That Hariphunchai
which is held to celebrate the province's principal
religious site and takes place in May.
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