Lampang



Lampang (ลำปาง), also known as Nakhon Lampang (นครลำปาง), is a city in the river valleys of Northern Thailand.

Understand
Lampang, in the Wang River basin, has been occupied by various civilisations, including Hariphunchai, Lanna, and Burmese, for more than 1,000 years and has a rich archaeological record. It is also known for its nostalgic local transport: horse-drawn carriages, rather than tuk-tuks.

By plane
Lampang Airport (LPT) is served by two daily turboprop (ATR72) flights by Bangkok Airways from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) taking 1½ hours (2000 baht and up, departures 11:55, 16:55 daily).

Another option is to take a low-cost flight (Air Asia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air) to Chiang Mai, then connect to Lampang by bus or train. But it is at least two hours by road from Chiang Mai to Lampang, plus you'll need to connect from the airport to the bus or train station across the city.



By train
The Northern railway line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai passes through Lampang. As such, there are several trains in either direction every day. The journey from Bangkok takes 10-12 hours; 2nd class air-con sleeper ticket costs 734-804 baht, air-con seat car is 574 baht. 2nd class fan sleeper is 150-200 baht cheaper than air-con.

From Chiang Mai, the trip takes around 2 hours. Express fan car tickets are 23 baht. Air-con car tickets are just over 100 baht.

By bus
Many buses run from Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal, most of which continue on to Chiang Mai. First-class air-con bus ticket costs around 400-450 baht, the trip takes 8-9 hours (as such, overnight buses are recommended).

From Chiang Mai (Arcade bus station), buses are very frequent, and it takes 1-1½ hours to get to Lampang. The price is 40-90 baht, depending on the class (first class air-con bus costs 90 baht)

Finally, many buses going from Chiang Mai to various other destinations in central and northeast Thailand stop in Lampang, so it is pretty well connected.

By car
From Bangkok take Highway 32 to Nakhon Sawan. then Highway 1 via Kamphaeng Phet and Tak to Lampang. Distance from Bangkok is 600 km.

Get around
There are no tuk-tuks, so either use the horse-drawn carriages or the songthaews, which can be hired like a tuk-tuk. If it is not on a fixed route, ask the driver for a price but ensure that you both understand whether the price is for the trip or per person. Renting a scooter on the road of the bus terminal is quite expensive (400 baht, Jan 2020).

See











 * Thanon Talat Kao or Thanon Talat Chin or Thanon Khon Doen "Kat Kongta" (ถนนตลาดเก่า หรือ ถนนตลาดจีน หรือ ถนนคนเดิน "กาดกองต้า") is a market next to the pier. In the past, it was a prosperous market. The buildings on both sides of the river bank are a combination of European, Chinese, and Burmese architectural styles. Thanon Khon Doen, "Kat Kongta" presents a local lifestyle of the Kat Kongta community.


 * The Khun Tan mountain range, where the Doi Khun Tan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยขุนตาล) is located, forms a natural boundary between Lamphun and Lampang Provinces. The Khun Tan Range has deciduous dipterocarp forest and dry evergreen forest on the mountainsides, as well as hill evergreen forests and wide stretches of grasslands combined with pine tree clumps at higher altitudes.


 * Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อประตูผา) - 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. To honour the brave warrior, the people built the shrine which has since become a sacred and revered place of worship.


 * Tham Pha Thai National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติถ้ำผาไท) is between Mueang Lampang and Ngao Districts just off the main highway at km665-666, some 60 kilometres from town.


 * Ban Chang Luang (บ้านจ้างหลวง หรือ ศูนย์ศิลปะชุมชนเมืองงาว) is a facility established by Khru Kam-aye Dejduangta (ครูคำอ้าย เดชดวงตา). It has an extensive collection of wood-carvings made by Kru Kam-aye, and serves as a school to train those intending to become artisans and to provide occupations for the local people.


 * Namtok Wang Kaeo (น้ำตกวังแก้ว) is Lampang's largest waterfall.


 * Kiu Lom Dam (เขื่อนกิ่วลม) is about 38 km from town.

In the city









 * Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae (วัดพระธาตุม่อนพระยาแช่) - is on a hillside and it affords a clear view of Lampang. Its most outstanding feature is the long staircase leading to the chedi enshrining a holy relic.


 * Wat Phra That Sadet (วัดพระธาตุเสด็จ) - one of Lampang's major sites, it is believed to have been built by Queen Chamthevi some 500 years ago.



Outside the city









 * Wat Chong Khem was completed in 2006 and is the tallest temple in the district. It houses an extensive collection of Buddha images from wood and stone, semi-precious stone such as jade and other semi- and precious metals in glass cabinets the full lengths and breadth of the inner walls.

Do

 * Horse carriage ride. 60-200 baht.

Events





 * Lampang Trains and Horse Carriages Day (งานวันรถไฟรถม้าลำปาง) is organized at the Nakhon Lampang Railway Station at the beginning of April to commemorate the first royal train that arrived at the station on 1 April 1916. In the event, there will be an exhibition and Kat Mua market, where the participants will dress up in the traditional style of costume of some 80 years ago, when the horse carriage was first used in Lampang. The carriage service is also provided in the event.


 * Salung Luang Procession and Songkran Festival (งานแห่สลุงหลวงและสงกรานต์) is the Songkran festival of Lampang, organized from 12–14 April every year. On 12 April, the Salung Luang procession will be beautifully decorated (salung means 'water bowl' and luang means 'large'). The participants in the parade dress up in the ancient Lanna style and carry a giant silver bowl around the city to receive lustral water soaked with turmeric and acacia from the people to be poured onto the Phra Kaeo Don Tao, the revered Buddha image of the town enshrined at Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang. Then, during 13–14 April every year, there will be a merit-making ceremony at the temple, sand pagoda making, ceremony of pouring water onto the elderly, splashing of water, fairs and various forms of entertainment.

Buy













 * Hand-made cotton (ผ้าทอมือ) comes in different patterns designed by different villages.


 * Terra-cotta or ceramics (เซรามิก) produced in Lampang are of the best quality in Thailand. The indigenous clay, added by the local craftsmanship, has helped to make Lampang the centre of such products, with scores of factories and shops dealing in this craft.

Budget




Go next

 * Hang Chat
 * Doi Khun National Park
 * Chao Pho Prato Pha Shrine, 50 km from Lampang
 * Kiu Lom Causeway
 * Tham Pha Thai National Park, 60 km from Lampang
 * Ban Chang Luang, woodcarving centre. 33 Mu 9, Ban Khoi, Tamboon Bang Rong, near the road from Phayao to Lampang
 * Chaeo Son National Park, Mueang Pan District