:: City attractions

Lampang is the only province in Thailand still retaining horse-drawn carriages as a means of transport within city limit. Visitors can hire such vehicles to tour places such as markets, traditional houses along the riverbank and the numerous temples in town.

The centuries old Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao  on Phra Kaeo Road, used to be the place where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined (the same statue now installed in Bangkok). Interesting structures include the large Chedi containing the hair of the Lord Buddha, a Burmese-style Mondop, an ancient Vihan housing a reclining Buddha, and a museum exhibiting ancient relics of the Lanna era.

To the west of town is Wat Si Rong Muang, a Burmese temple built in 1905 during the time when Lampang was the commercial and forestry centre. Major architectural works include the Vihan made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style. It is a temple with elaborate carved decorations and plaster designs, adorned with colored glass fashioned with delicate craftsmanship.

Built during the reign of King Rama IV by the Burmese, Wat Pa Fang is located on Sanam Bin Road. It has a large, glittering gold Chedi containing a Holy Relic brought over from Myanmar around 1906. The extensive Sala Kan Parian (preaching hall) is made entirely of wood with Burmese-style overlapping roofs. A small Ubosot has Burmese style woodwork over its roof, with beautiful plaster designs over its doors. Usually there are a considerable number of Burmese monks in residence.


Almost directly across from Wat Pa Fang is Wat Chai Mongkhon. The outstanding structure is the Kuti, the monk's living quarters, which is a white cement building with Burmese-style wooden roof. Its columns are adorned with coils of golden wires in elaborate designs and colored glass. The blinds and corridors are made of elaborately fashioned perforated wooden sheets. Inside is housed a bronze Buddha statue of fine workmanship cast in Mandalay, Myanmar.

About 5 kilometres from town on the Lampang-Chae Hom road is Wat Chedi Sao Lang.. Cooled and shaded by large trees, the temple has twenty Chedis is its compound, each made in the combined Lanna-Burmese style. A Chiang Saen-style bronze Buddha statue is also enshrined here, and is commonly referred to as "Phra Chao Than Chai" by the local people. The door panels of the Ubosot are of ancient vintage with elaborate design.

Located on the Lampang-Ngao Road about five kilometres from town with a right turn at Km. 605 marker is Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae. As it is situated on a hillside, it affords a clear view of Lampang. Its most outstanding feature is the long set of stairs leading to the Chedi enshrining a Holy Relic.

Wat Phra That Sadet can be reached by taking the Lampang-Ngao Road. After 17 kilometres, take a left turn and continue on for another 2 kilometres. One of Lampang's major sites, it is believed to have been built by Queen Chamthevi some 500 years ago.

To reach the Kiu Lom Dam , take the Lampang-Ngao road and turn left at Kms. 623-624 marker, which is about 38 kilometres from town. Then, continue for a further 14 kilometres. Constructed for irrigation purposes, it has a scenic reservoir suitable for boating or rafting. At least a half-day tour is suggested. Visitors may opt for overnighting on a raft. Places to see include cliffs, isles and fishing villages.

:: Ko Kha


Some 20 kilometres to the southwest of town in Ko Kha district, is Wat Phra That Lampang Luang , a paradigm of temple buildings of the Lanna period. The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by a wall. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong , are adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Vihan houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong. To the rear is a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style containing a Holy Relic. Also to the rear is another Vihan with beautiful murals on wooden walls, said to be the oldest in the North. The temple also has a large collection of ancient wooden utensils.

 Using the same route as that to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, but taking a left turn at the district office and continuing on for 14 kilometres, is Wat Phra That Chom Ping. Another age-old temple of Lampang, its unique feature is the reflections in natural colors of the Chedi, which appear on the floor within the dark interior of the Ubosot.
:: Hang Chat

The Thai Elephants Conservation Centre is located in the Thung Kwian Forest Park in Hang Chat district, about 32 kilometres from town on the route to Chiang Mai. It is the only facility in the world devoted to the training of elephants for timber -work, using pachyderms as labor. There are performances and training demonstrations. The art of making wooden elephants is also demonstrated. There are 2-3 shows daily. Visitors can enjoy feeding these intelligent giants or ride them to view the natural surroundings. The centre provides health care for the elephants. For more information, call 0-5422-7051.

The Khun Than mountain range of the Doi Khun Than National Park, forms a natural boundary between Lamphun and Lampang provinces. The northern rail line to Chiang Mai runs through the longest rail tunnel in the country, which is 1,352 metres long and takes five minutes to traverse. The mountain has both virgin jungle and pinery. Many tourists choose to walk from the Khun Than Station up the mountain, a distance of about 7 kilometres. There are four rest areas on the way. Visitors may also camp overnight but must provide their own food. The best time to take the trip is between November and February, when the weather is fine and cool.