"Lamphun," formerly known as "Hariphunchai," is a city that embodies the ancient traditions and culture of the Lanna Kingdom. It boasts the longest history in northern Thailand.

For this exploration of Lamphun, I opted for air travel due to the limited timeframe of 2 days and 1 night. I preferred to conserve energy and travel time for sightseeing rather than driving long distances. Although Lamphun lacks its own airport, it's practically as good as having one, considering its proximity to Chiang Mai International Airport, a mere 40 kilometers away. A 30-minute drive is all it takes to reach Lamphun.


Upon landing and securing a rental car, we wasted no time in driving from Chiang Mai airport to the city center of Lamphun province. Our first stop in Lamphun was the Wat San Pa Yang Luang temple.

Wat San Pa Yang Luang, a small temple in the heart of Lamphun, is ranked among the top 5 most beautiful temples in Thailand. It is also the first Buddhist temple in the Lanna region. The temple houses a stupa containing the relics of the two chief disciples of the Buddha, Moggallana and Sariputta.

The temple houses exquisite structures, notably the Phra Wihan Phuttharatna Maha Nati Si Hariphunchai, also known as the Green Mekong Temple. This temple enshrines a green jade Buddha statue retrieved from the Mekong River, resembling the Buddha Sakyamuni.


After leaving Wat San Pa Yang Luang, we continued to "Wat Phra That Hariphunchai", which has been the home of the city pillar of Lamphun for over a thousand years.

Upon passing through the gate, the first sight that greets visitors is the grand "Wihan Luang," a main sanctuary surrounded by a covered walkway. This structure features projecting porches on both the front and rear sides. The current Wihan Luang was constructed as a replacement for the original one, which was destroyed by a storm in 1923.

Behind the main chapel is the Phra That Hariphunchai, a true Lanna Thai style stupa similar to the Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. It is 25 wa and 2 sok high, with a base width of 12 wa, 2 sok, and 1 khuap. Inside, it enshrines a relic of the Buddha's hair in a golden casket. Phra That Hariphunchai is also the designated stupa for people born in the year of the Rooster.


After paying respects at the sacred relics of the city, we proceeded to "Wat Chamathewi," also known as "Wat Ku Kut" by the locals. This temple houses the cremated remains of Queen Chamathewi, the founding monarch of the Hariphunchai Kingdom.


Based on the evidence found in the inscription, it is believed that the sons of Queen Chamadevi, King Mahantyas and King Anantyas, ordered the construction of this temple to cremate Queen Chamadevi. They also ordered the construction of a square-shaped stupa with a gold-covered top, known as "Suwanna Jangkoti".


The Suwanna Jang Goti Pagoda, also known as the Chamadevi Pagoda, is a square-shaped pagoda in the style of the Mahabodhi Temple in India. Each side features standing Buddha statues in the blessing posture arranged in tiers, with 15 statues on each side for a total of 60 statues.


Then, drive along Highway 106 (Lamphun - Li) heading straight to "Wat Nong Ngeuk" located in Ban Nong Ngeuk, Mae Raeng Subdistrict, Pa Sang District. This temple is an ancient temple that showcases the craftsmanship of local artisans. Interesting features include the stucco art on the temple gate and the Tripitaka library, which is in Burmese style.

After admiring the beautiful craftsmanship of local artisans, we headed to the "Wat Phra Phutthabat Tak Pha" to pay our respects at the footprint of the Lord Buddha.

According to legend, during the time of the Buddha, the Lord Buddha visited the land of Suvarnabhumi (present-day Thailand) to teach the Dharma. He traveled to various places, including the site of the present-day Wat Phra Phutthabat Tak Pha. There, on a sloping rock face, he made an imprint of his footprint. This footprint became a place of worship for both gods and humans. The Buddha then instructed his disciple Ananda to dry his robe on the rock face near the footprint, leaving a faint mark. Hence, the temple came to be known as "Wat Phra Phutthabat Tak Pha," which translates to "Temple of the Buddha's Footprint where the Robe was Dried."

After paying our respects at the Buddha's footprint, it was already afternoon. We decided to head straight to our accommodation for the day, which was the "Baan Pailin Resort."

Baan Pailin Resort: A Modern Oasis in the Heart of Nature

Baan Pailin Resort is a small, modern-style resort offering 16 guest rooms, each with breathtaking views of the surrounding rice fields and mountains. With its affordable prices and peaceful atmosphere, the resort has become a popular destination for travelers seeking a relaxing escape.

The resort offers two room types: Deluxe Room Twin and Deluxe Room Double. The only difference between these two types is the bed configuration. Prices are also available in two options: without breakfast, starting at 750 baht, and with breakfast, starting at 1,xxx baht. As mentioned, the prices here are very friendly and affordable.

For dinner, head to "Krua Kaneng," which is less than 500 meters from our accommodation. The restaurant lives up to its name, offering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The food is delicious and deserves a thumbs-up. The restaurant also offers karaoke rooms, making it a perfect spot for group gatherings.

After a full night's sleep, let's take a look at breakfast. Breakfast is served at the "De Lin Cafe," located at the front of the resort. For those who opted out of breakfast, the cafe also offers a variety of food, fresh coffee, and baked goods at affordable prices.

Let me tell you a little secret: the food and snacks here are delicious. If you're staying here and don't try them, you're missing out on the best of Li. Let the pictures tell the story of their deliciousness.


After a delicious breakfast, we set off for the "Wat Phra Bat Huai Tom", the largest temple in Li District. Inside the temple, there is a viharn containing the incorruptible body of Khru Ba Wong, a revered Lanna monk, in a glass coffin. There is also a replica of the Buddha's footprint, believed to have been left by the Buddha himself during a visit to the site. Khru Ba Wong had the replica built to protect the original footprint.

After leaving Wat Phra Bat Huai Tom, stop by the "Huai Tom Handicraft Research Center" to pick up some unique souvenirs. The center sells handmade goods created by local artisans from the Huai Tom community. Almost every item is one-of-a-kind, making it a truly special place to find unique gifts.

After shopping and collecting souvenirs, we continued our journey to the **"Wat Maha That Chedi Si Wiang Chai"**. Inside the temple, the golden Sri Wiang Chai Chedi stands as a magnificent example of Lanna Buddhist architecture, constructed entirely of laterite. It is the largest of its kind in Thailand, with a base area of 1 rai and a height of 64.39 meters from the top of the umbrella to the ground. This sacred site is highly revered by the people of Li district. The chedi is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, hence its nickname, "The Shwedagon of Thailand".

The final destination of this trip was Wat Phra Phutthabat Pha Nam. We originally planned to watch the sunrise here, but the weather in the morning didn't cooperate. However, before heading back, we decided to take in the panoramic view of Li city from above.


In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to "Baan Pailin Resort," an affordable accommodation that exudes warmth and care. Their hospitality provided us with a comfortable and pleasant stay during our trip.

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And lastly, I would like to leave you with a small page that collects travel, accommodation, and food in various places that I have encountered. If you want to travel, you must travel.

https://www.facebook.com/wanttotravel29/

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