Thanon Talat Kao

Thanon Talat Kao is a street that runs parallel to the river through Lampang and is the town’s old market street. It is interesting to take a walk here, where you can still see buildings in the traditional Lanna style.

Through the street you can also notice the Chinese influence of Thanon Talat Kao, which can be seen, among other things, in the carved wooden doors, and the Victorian path inspiration that came with the English-influenced Burmese trade in the city.

Phra Kaew Don Tao Temple
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao
วัดพระแก้วดอนเต้า

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao is a temple in Lampang that is architecturally inspired by both the Lanna Kingdom style and the Burmese who ruled the city for centuries.

Thailand’s famous Emerald Buddha, which can now be seen in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, was kept here for a few decades in the 15th century. It is said that in 1436 the elephant that was supposed to carry the Emerald Buddha from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai stopped here in Lampang and refused to continue. Therefore, the figure remained here until 1468, when King Tilokaraja moved it to Chiang Mai as originally planned.

The temple’s large white and golden chedi and a small museum with Lanna artefacts are among the attractions. The 50 meter high chedi is the only surviving original building in the area and is said to contain some of the Buddha’s hair. Among the site’s 1900s buildings, you can see fine works in mirror mosaics and wood carving.

Pha Fang Temple
Wat Pha Fang

Wat Pha Fang is a temple in Lampang that was built in the 19th century. It is a beautiful temple complex, where the golden chedi in particular is a breathtaking sight.

The site houses a relic that was brought here from Myanmar in 1906, and the Pha Fang Temple was then also built in Burmese style, testifying to Burma’s strong historical influence in the area.

Phra That Lampang Luang Temple
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
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Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is an impressive temple complex that ranks among the most important in Thailand. The temple is also a good example of the traditional building style of the Lanna Kingdom, and it is located in one of the historical satellites outside the actual Lampang town.

A memorable moment for the Thais in their many battles against the Burmese took place here when the Burmese troops were defeated after 200 years of rule. Thai soldiers crept through drainage pipes into the temple, and it was a decisive moment of surprise that helped secure their victory.

Already on the way up the stairs to the temple, you can see the magnificent and elegant cut above the building. Some consider the temple to be one of Thailand’s absolute most beautiful structures, and the central, 50-meter-tall chedi is believed to contain genuine relics of the Buddha.

The entrance to the temple is through the richly decorated and monumental entrance guarded by lions and nagas, the name of the mythological serpents. The temple’s large viharn dates from 1496, and it is well preserved after being restored in the 1930s.

The large viharn contains fine wall paintings from the 19th century, while the Nam Tam viharn contains paintings from the 16th century. In a small viharn you can see the Phra Keo Don Tao Buddha figure, which originally stood in Lampang’s temple with the same name as the figure.

In the temple grounds there are also some sacred bodhi trees whose branches are supported by countless supports that people have placed to bring happiness and health to their families. There is also a small museum here, which complements the other experiences.