Located in the heart of the city, Wat Phra That Haripunchai is one of the oldest and most revered Buddhist temples in Northern Thailand and a landmark of Lamphun. Founded in the 11th century, this sacred site embodies the historical wealth of the Hariphunchai Kingdom, the predecessor of the Lanna Kingdom. Legend has it that the temple was built during the reign of King Aditayaraj to house a Buddha relic discovered on the nearby Doi Khun Tan hill. It served for a long time as a spiritual center for the Mon people before being incorporated into the Lanna Kingdom. The 46-meter-high golden main chedi, dating from the 12th century, houses this precious relic. Its architectural style, richly decorated with gold details and typical Lanna ornamentation, attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and is reminiscent of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. Among the absolute highlights are the magnificent golden chedi (Phra That Haripunchai), one of the finest examples of Lanna architecture, the main temple (Viharn) with an impressive Buddha statue and intricate wood carvings, the finely crafted north gate that marks the transition between the modern city and the spiritual world, and the Hari Phun Chai National Museum, which you can reach by crossing the road behind the temple.

Free admission. Open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Don't miss the 100,000 Lantern Festival, which takes place around Loy Krathong (usually from late September to a few days after Loy Krathong in November).

If you are staying in the city, you can easily reach Wat Phra That Haripunchai on foot. From Lamphun train station, you can take a songthaew (shared taxi). Alternatively, some hotels in Lamphun offer bicycles to their guests (free of charge or for a fee).

Wat Phra That Haripunchai is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do I get to Wat Phra That Haripunchai? If you are staying in the city, you can easily reach Wat Phra That Haripunchai on foot. From Lamphun train station, you can take a songthaew (shared taxi). Alternatively, some hotels in Lamphun offer bicycles to their guests (free of charge or for a fee).