5 Cool Things To See/Visit in Lampang

1. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang



      The most prominent temple in Lampang since ancient times, legend has it that Wat Phra That Lampang Luang was built during the time of Camadevi in the 13^th and 14^th Centuries. It is one of the most complete wooden temples in Thailand and features exquisite ancient architecture. Phra That Lampang Luang is the Phra That for those who were born in the Year of the Ox as construction of the temple both began in the Ox and also finished in the Ox. Architecturally, Phra That has a torus base, and a round body in the Lanna style. The outer of the temple is clad with thong jango (brass plates), and the tip of the pointed dome roof is made of gold. Phra That is adorned with embossed patterns. This particular chedi is the model for Phra That Hariphunchai and Phra That Chom Thong. Like many temples in the regions, the temple contains holy relics. Lord Buddha’s hair and relics of His right forehead and front and back neck are enshrined in Phra That Lampang Luang. Visitors can also see bullet holes on the brass railing around Phra That from shots fired by King Thip Chang, who shot Thao Maha Yot.

      Location: Tumbon Lampang Luang, Amphoe Ko Kha, Lampang

GPS Coordinates:  18.217614, 99.389470

      2. Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan



      This temple is located on the top of a serene mountain called “Doi Phra Chan.”

      The temple overlooks the beautiful scenery of Amphoe Mae Tha. From the temple grounds, visitors can take in the panoramic view of the lush green mountains. In the morning of a good day in the rainy season or winter season, the area visible from the temple features a picturesque sea of fog.

      Location: Tumbon Pa Tan, Amphoe Mae Tha, Lampang

GPS Coordinates:  18.111710, 99.471737

      3. Wat Buddha Bat Sut Tha Wat



      The former name of the temple was Wat Chaloem Phrakiat Phrachomklao Rachanuson (Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng). Known among the locals as “Doi Puyak (Doi Phra Bat Pupha Daeng),” due to the amazing view of golden chedis on the top of the boulder peaks, this beautiful highland temple is listed as part of Unseen Thailand, which features Thailand’s most significant cultural treasures that are off the beaten path. Lord Buddha’s footprints are enshrined in the highest chedi.  Reaching the top involves a one-kilometer drive followed by a one-kilometer hike up the peaks. Tourists can park their cars in front of the temple at the lower level and ascend to the temple on the peaks on foot.  

      Location: Moo 7, Ban Thung Thong, Tambon Wichet Nakhon, Amphoe Chae Hom, Lampang

GPS Coordinates:  18.720301, 99.562337

      4. Chae Son National Park



      Scattered all over Chae Son National Park are beautiful rocks in natural hot springs. The temperature of the hot spring can be as high as 70-80 degrees Celsius (158-176 degrees Fahrenheit). A visitor who puts an egg in the hot spring for 15 minutes, gets a cooked egg yolk and a cooked but soft egg white, like young coconut. These boiled eggs are the key ingredient of the famous “Hot Spring Egg Spicy Salad.” Chae Son Waterfall and the National Park are a kilometer apart. The park provides access to hot spring baths for tourists at the spot where the water from the Fall meets the hot spring. This area is suitable for families and is open all year round.

      Location: Moo 8, Lampang-Den Chai Road, Tambon Wang Ngoen, Amphoe Mueang Pan, Lampang

GPS Coordinates:  18.836910, 99.471377

      5. Thai Elephant Conservation Center



      The Thai Elephant Conservation Center was originally founded in Amphoe Ngao to train elephants for logging in the forest. About 20 years later, after the government had abolished logging concessions nationwide, the elephants were out of work. They were then sent back to the training school; however, the school could not accommodate all of them, so the school was moved to its present location in Amphoe Hang Chat. The Center includes an elephant hospital, where sick elephants are treated and new born babies nurtured, and a paper factory, where paper products made from elephant dung such as letter paper, envelopes and notebooks are sold. The paper factory welcomes tourists for a tour of the elephant-dung paper production process. The Center also includes a factory that produces compost from elephant dung, a biogas factory that produces fuel used to generate electricity used in the Center, the royal elephant stable, and a square used for elephant shows that emphasize the activities of the logging elephants. If you would like to learn how to be a mahout, training elephants and joining the elephant shows, you can contact the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. Lodging is available.

      Location: Amphoe Hang Chat, Lampang

GPS Coordinates:  18.360321, 99.248061