LAMPANG

Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao

Lampang

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

Lampang

Lampang

horse-drawn

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Famous for its horse-drawn carriages and with a rooster as its provincial emblem. Lampang boasts a long history of human settlements on the Wang River basin, some of which dating back to more than 1000 years. It is rich in archaeological evidence reflecting ancient civilisations of Hariphunchai, Lanna and Burma.

Geography

Lampang is located in the broad river valley of the Wang River, surrounded by mountain chains. In the Mae Mo district lignite is found and mined in open pits. To the north of the province is the 1697 m high Doi Luang.

History

Starting in the 7th century Lampang was part of the Dvaravati period Haripunchai kingdom of the Mon. In the 11th century the Khmer empire occupied the Lampang area, but it was King Mengrai of Lannathai who incorporated the complete Haripunchai kingdom into his kingdom in 1292. After the fall of Lannathai it was under Burmese rulership, and finally became part of Thailand in 1774.

Attractions

The centuries-old Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao on Phra Kaeo Road used to be the place where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined in Bangkok. Interesting structures include the hair of the Lord Buddha, a Burmese-style Mondop, an ancient Wihan housing a reclining Buddha and a museum exhibiting ancient relics of the Lanna era.

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 Wihan 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.

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.

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. lts 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.

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 20 Chedis in 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.

Located on the Lampang-Ngao Road about five kilometer from town with right turn at Km. 605 maker is Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae. As it is situated on a hillside, it afford a clear view of Lampang. Its almost outstanding feature is the long stair leading to the Chedi enshrining a Holy Relic.

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.

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 a wall. The entrance arche, called Pratu Khong, is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Wihan 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 Wihan 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.

Using the same route as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang but taking a left turn at the district office and continue for 14 kilometres is Wat Phra That Chom Ping. Another age-old temple of Lampang, its unique feature is the reflections of natural colours of the Chedi which appear on the floor within the dark interior of the Ubosot.

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 1352 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 provides for their own food. The best time to take the trip is between November and February when the weather is fine and cool.

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 horn or set of fire crackers as a sign 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 built the shrine which has since become a sacred and revered place of worship.

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.

Ban Chang Luang, at 33 Mu 9, Man Khoi in Tambon Ban Rong near the Phao Yao-Lampang road, is a facility established by Khru Kam-aye Dejduangta. It has an extensive collections 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.

A major place for relaxation in Lampang is the Chae Son National Park which is located in Muang Pan district area. It can be reached by taking Highway No. 1035 taking a left turn at Km. 59. A further 17 kilometres 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 purposes.

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 is accommodation and camping areas for visitors.

Wang Kaeo Waterfall is Lampang's largest. It can be reached by taking the Lampang - Chae Hom - Wang Nua route for a distance of 110 kilometres. On reaching Wang Nua district, the waterfall is a further 26 kilometres further on.

Local Product:

Hand-made cotton comes in different patterns designed by different villages. Within Muang district are several weaving mills and shops specialising in cotton materials.

Wood-carving is a major industry at Tambon Na Khrua of Mae Tha District which is about 25 kilometres from the provincial town. Most of the local people make their living by producing wooden figures of animals in various sizes. It is a cottage industry of the locality for generations.

Terracotta or ceramics produced in Lampang are of the best quality in Thailand. The indigenous with 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 beautiful craft.

The Sa Paper is fine product made from a type of soft wood. The process is purely traditional and the major producing center is village of Ban Nam Thong. The Sa is mainly made into parasols, lampshades, decorative flowers and other souvenir items.

TRADITIONAL FAIRS:

The Luang Wiang Lakhon Fair is held just prior to the annual Loi Krathong event around Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, featuring Lampang's own historical backgrounds and long established customs and traditions. A Khrua Than procession is organized with local people dressed in native attires carrying various traditional household appliances, some of which are of ancient vintage.

The Khantok Chang Fair is organised on the first Friday-Saturday period of February each year at the Thai Elephant conversation centre. There is an elephant show and the pachyderms are feasted with their popular fruits and vegetables which are placed on the Tok, a traditional food tray of the Lanna people.