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 river bank 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 carving decorations and plaster designs adorned with colored glass fashioned with delicate craftsmanship.

Built during the reign of King Rama IV by 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 a 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 across Wat Pa Fang is Wat Chai Mongkhon . The outstanding structure is the Kuti, 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 glasses. The blinds and corridors are made of elaborately-fashioned perforated wooden sheet. 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, 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 stair 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 purpose, it has a scenic reservoir suitable for boating or rafting. At least a half-day tour is suggested. Visitors may opt for overnighting on raft. Places to see include cliffs, isles and fishing village.

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