Lamphun

Lamphun claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Thailand, founded as the Mon kingdom of Hariphunchai over 1,300 years ago. Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in the town center is the province's crown jewel — a stunning golden chedi that ranks among northern Thailand's holiest sites, with a history stretching back to the 9th century. The adjacent national museum displays Mon and Lanna artifacts that trace the city's layered past.

The town is tiny and walkable, with a moat, ancient city walls, and a slower pace than neighboring Chiang Mai (just 26 km north). Lamphun is also Thailand's longan capital — the sweet fruit is harvested July through August, and the Longan Festival fills the town with parades and more longan than you can eat. Wat Chamadevi (Ku Kut) is the other must-see: twin Dvaravati-style stepped pyramids unlike anything else in the north. The surrounding countryside is gorgeous, with rice paddies backed by the Doi Khun Tan mountain range.