Lamphun

     Lamphum

I saw this coach during my motor trip to Lamphun. The oldest city of the North Thailand, Lamphun is a small city and one hour drive from Chiang Mai and the journey start from Tha Phae Road (the road to the railway station), after crossing the Ping River turn in the 1st road on your right then keep on the main road and it will leads you to Lamphun. The road is narrow and winding with lots of Majestic trees, you are on route 106. The scene is so lovely and give motorist comfort during the journey, the trees were straight and tall with a height of more than 40 meters, chanted and honored with yellow saffron robe. Best known in Chiang Mai Dipterocarpus Alatus (Thai called Yang Na.) planted in 1796, when King Kawila re-established Chiang Mai after the city had been deserted for decades following endemic warfare.. Before, it was truly impressive and its huge branches        supported many bees’ honeycombs. 

                              

      Suwanna Chedi 
   

 Long before Chiang Mai was founded some 700 years the Mon has built a legendary kingdom called Haripunchai as known today Lamphun. The above Mon style Suwanna Chedi was a different from most chedi in Chiang Mai. These 5 tiers chedi was surrounded by Buddha image where some of the image was damaged during earth quake.

                   
                                                            
               One of the most famous temple Wat Pharthat Hariphunchai 'Temple of the Sacred                                               Hariphunchai Relic' built in mid 15 century of Mon architure.   

 Phra Mahathat Chedi is also a Lanna style chedi was built in the 15 century, the one in Doi Suthep                          was a copy of this chedi,  was topped with a multi tiered Golden umbrella.   
  
                             

             

  

  The Ho Trai or library where ancient Buddhist scriptures are keep, an elegant teak structure with multi tier roofs with intricate carvings. This Lanna style is built on a 3 meters high stone base to protect from flooding and animals.

                                Khao Phra Sumen built in believed that this is the center of the earth. 

                                                 It was introduce by Sri Lanka Buddhism.

Phra Nang Chamthewi

Queen Chamthewi and her war elephant is very special to the people of Lumphun. She was the 1st Queen Ruler of Hariphunchai Mon Kingdom.

The Ku Chang-Ku Mah Chedi

 It is special in terms of being the grave of Queen Chamthewi’s war elephant and her son’s warhorses.

    The old Fort

                                       

 This is the road that leads you to Lamphun, you see here the gaint Holy Dipterocarpus Altus Tree, this main road is not very heavy in traffic just enjoy the scenery.

   

 Most Lamphun folks hold high esteems of Queen Chamadevi, Ku Kut & Ku Ma. Notable Wats - Wat Phra That Haripunchai, Ku Kut Pagoda or Wat Chamadevi, Ku Chang Ku Ma Stupas, Wat Mahawan


 Tips:       There is a good restaurant in front of the Kuang River near Ku chang Ku Ma Temple. In Lamphun there is not much of choice in term of food. A one day trip with motorcycle to Lamphum is a good idea, very relaxing town with little traffic.