Attractions
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Hang Chat Doi
Khun Than National Park 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 for their
own food. The best time to take the trip is between November and February when
the weather is fine and cool. Thai
Elephants Conservation Centre 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 raining of elephants for timber work using these 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 see the natural surroundings. The centre provides
health care for the elephants. For more information, call 0-5422-7051.
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Ko Kha Wat
Phra That Chom Ping Using the same route as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
but taking a left turn at the district office and continue 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 Chedi which appear on the floor within
the dark interior of the Ubosot. Wat
Phra That Lampang Luang Some 20 kilometres to the southwest of town in
Ko Kha district is Wat Phra That Lampang Luang , a paradigm of temple building
of Lanna. The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by wall.
The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong , is adorned with fine plaster designs.
The wall-less main Vihan houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan
Thong. To the back is a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style containing a
Holy Relic. Also in the back 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. Amphoe
Muang
horse-drawn carriages 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.
Kiu
Lom Dam
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. Wat
Chai Mongkhon
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. Wat
Chedi Sao Lang
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.
Wat
Pa Fang 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. Wat
Phra Kaeo Don Tao 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. Wat
Phra That Mon Phaya Chae 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
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.
Wat Si Rong
Muang
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.
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Muang Pan Chae
Son National Park A major place for relaxation in Lampang is the Chae
Son National Park which is located in Mueang Pan district area. It can be reached
by taking Highway No.1035 taking a left turn at Km. 59. A further 17 kilometre
is a lush forested and mountainous region with a 73-Celsius hot spring over rocky
terrain, providing a misty and picturesque scene particularly in the morning.
There are bathing facilities for health purpose. One
kilometre away is a clear, cool brook where tourists can take a dip in water fed
by the 6-level Chae Son waterfall originating from winding brooks and streams
flowing through high mountains. There are accommodations and camping areas for
visitors. Amphoe
Ngao
Ban Chang Luang Ban Chang Luang, at 33 Mu 9, Ban Khoi in Tambon Ban
Rong near the Phao Yao-Lampang road, is a facility established by Khru Kam-aye
Dejduangta . It has an extensive collection of wood-carvings made by Kru Kam-aye
himself and serves as a school to train those intending to become artisans and
to provide occupations for the local people. Chao
Pho Pratu Pha Shrine
The Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine is about 50 kilometres
from town on the Lampang-Ngao road near Km. 650 marker. Stacks of offering can
be seen around the site and the shrine is considered sacred. Road-users passing
by usually honk their car horns or set off firecrackers as a sigh of respect.
Legend has it that Chao Pho Pratu Pha was a great warrior of the Lampang ruler.
He once
fought Burmese invaders to block their advance at Pratu Pha and died fighting
with his two swords still in his hands and his body still leaning against the
hillside. The attackers were so frightened that they withdrew. To honour the brave
warrior, the people build the shrine which has since become a sacred and revered
place of worship. Tham
Pha Thai National Park
The Tham Pha Thai National Park is located between Muang and Ngao districts just
off the main highway at Kms.665-666, some 60 kilometres from the provincial town.
Cars can access right to the mouth of a cave within which are picturesque stalactite
and stalagmites. There are also several smaller caverns, each with their own attractions.
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Wang Nuea
Wang Kaeo Waterfall Wang Kaeo Waterfall is Lampang's largest. It can
be reached by taking the Lampang - Chae Hom - Wang Nuea route for a distance of
110 kilometres. On reaching Wang Nuea district, the waterfall is a further 26
kilometre further on. |