Some attractions within Map of Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, Lampang Map:
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Map from PlanetWare.com
Lampang lies on the broad plain of the Menam Wang surrounded by the jungle and mountain scenery typical of northern Thailand. The provincial capital - it still feels like a township rather than a city - has grown in importance with the progress made in its economy in recent years. This is dominated by agriculture, and the fertile plain around Lampang is given over to great fields of rice, Maimaize and cotton.
By car: Highway 1 from Tak (158 km (98 mi.)), or from Chiang Mai/
Lamphun (92 km (57 mi.)); Highway 11 from Chiang Mai, through fascinating scenery. Distance from Bangkok: 600 km (373 mi).
By rail: station on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai line (from Bangkok 642 km (399 mi.), about 13 hours).
By bus: five times a day from Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. Buses also run from the Chiang Mai Arcade station (21/2 hours).
By air: twice a week from Bangkok and Phitsanulok.
The Lampang principality was founded by the Mon around the 7th c. and initially belonged to the Haripunchai kingdom before being annexed into the Khmer empire in the 11th c. King Mengrai finally brought Lampang into the Lan Na kingdom before it was seized in the 16th c. by the Burmese, who had already captured Chiang Mai and Lamphun. Clear signs of their occupation can still be seen today.
Apart from an octagonal tower which was part of the fortifications, nothing is left of the old city of Lampang. In order to get an idea of the original appearance of the famous Ho Kham, the gilded hall that was the governor's residence, it would be necessary to go to the Ancient City at Samut Prakan and see the replica of it there. Some recent finds indicate that the earth still holds many secrets. One particularly interesting discovery was a number of stone reliefs in the Dvaravati style. These give some indication of the artistic quality of the buildings, but most of what can be seen in Lampang today dates from after the conquest by the Burmese, and their style has left its mark on all sides.
Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao
Dating back to 1680, Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao is a charming temple reflecting typical Burmese architecture. The Temple grounds feature two Buddhas; one made from copper and the other from Jade.
Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, built in 1680 and one of Thailand's most revered temples, is very picturesquely situated on the Menam Wang. The little bot (c. 1800) in the center, with its recently renovated central tower, is particularly worth seeing. An outstanding example of classic Burmese architecture, rich woodcarving frames the arched openings, the pillars are decorated with fine scrollwork and the imaginative and colorful relief on the magnificent coffer ceiling is inlaid with mother-of-pearl, enamel and small pieces of glass, the colors and shapes working together with the building's proportions to form a harmonious whole. Another interesting feature is the copper Buddha.
The adjoining stepped building from the later Bangkok period is distinguished by beautifully carved wood inlaid with blue ceramic tiles. The wiharn at a slight distance from the main buildings holds a Buddha in the Chiang Mai style, and there is some fine carving in a small museum near the entrance.
The clay elephant in the garden serves as a reminder of the events surrounding the famous emerald Buddha. Nowadays considered the "talisman" of the Thai kingdom, and the country's most venerated object, the Buddha, which is actually made of a type of jade, was discovered in Chiang Rai in 1434, although it was probably made in Burma. Sam Fang Kaen, the king of Chiang Mai at that time, is supposed to have ordered it to be brought to his palace in a procession, but the elephant chosen to carry it bolted and made straight for Lampang, where the statue spent the next 32 years in this wat. The Buddha eventually returned to Chiang Mai in 1468 then after further travels eventually arrived in Bangkok where it has since stood, much revered, in the "Temple of the Emerald Buddha", also called Wat Phra Kaeo.
Wat Chedi Sao
The 20 white chedis of Wat Chedi Sao are unique in Thailand, with their beautiful articulation crowned with a little golden canopy. Another well preserved example of the Burmese style, they stand amidst vast paddy fields in the north of the town.
Surroundings
Highlights:
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Tham Pu Thai
Wat Mon Cham Sin
Wat Si Rong Muang
Wat Si Rong Muang on the Takrao Noi Road is in the Burmese style and has finely carved gables and pillars.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Once serving as a shelter for the locals from foreign invasions, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is a an attractive temple. Built in a typically Burmese style, the Temple originated in the 16th century.
Wat Mon Cham Sin
Wat Mon Cham Sin, on a small rise near Highway 1 to Chiang Mai, is also worth a visit for its three beautiful Burmese-style chedis, but above all for the striking views over the surrounding landscape.
Tham Pu Thai
After another 10 km (6 mi.) Highway 1 passes the Tham Pua Thai cave, one of Thailand's largest and most interesting limestone caverns. Apart from the cave's stalactites and stalagmites nearby Nagao has no other sights.
Wat Phra That
Wat Phra That, 16 km (10 mi.) north-east of Lampang, dates from the early days of the Lan Na kingdom (early 14th c.) and is in the Chiang Mai style. The large 17th/18th c. wiharn, with its three stepped roofs, looks like three houses pushed into one.
Pratu Pa
Pratu Pa, the "gateway to the forest", is 50 km (31 mi.) along Highway 1 to Chiang Rai where it narrows down to pass between the high cliffs on either side. The little temple is dedicated to the guardian spirit who resides there (there is another "Pratu" a couple of miles out of Lampang on the road to Chiang Mai).
Elephant Training Centre
A couple of miles further on there are signs to the Elephant Training Center where young elephants are trained to become working animals. Public training sessions are held daily, between 7 and 11am but closed on Buddhist holidays.
Ban Thung Kawaen
Ban Thung Kawaen, a little place on Highway 11 about 16 km (10 mi.) from Lampang in the direction of Chiang Mai, is notable for the daily snake market held in its center. The snakes, some of them poisonous, are caught by children in the surrounding countryside; their sale is, strictly speaking, forbidden. Snakemeat, which has no particular flavor of its own and is therefore usually cooked in chicken broth, is mostly eaten by the Chinese Thais, who consider it something of a delicacy.
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