Old houses, beautiful temples and a Walking Street

See the locations on Treasures of Lampang Google Map

Wiang Neua The oldest part of Lampang - called Wiang Neua - with the most historical monuments and teakwood houses lies north of the River Wang. It's also called TaMaO-Community. Here you find Baan Sao Nak: 6 Ratwattana Road. Built in 1895 by Mong Chan Ong Chandraviroj, a Mon from Burma. The house is a mix of Burmese and Thai architecture. 116 teak pillars are supporting the house. Kantoke dinners are held there. Open daily : 10.00 A.M – 5.00 P.M. See pictures by thaismile.jp.

Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao วัดพระแก้วดอนเต้า: The Burmese style temple was built around 680 during the reign of King Anantayot, the founder of Lampang, and was the home of The Emerald Buddha - now in Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok - from 1436 to 1467, when it was moved to Chiang Mai. There ist the 50 metre tall Chedi Phra Boromathat, northwest of it stands the Viharn Phra Non from 1926 with a reclining Buddha. In front of this is a sao hongse – a pillar bearing the Brahmanic sacred goose (a Mon legacy). On the north side of the enclosure is a life-size statue of the white elephant responsible for bringing the Emerald Buddha here. See pictures by thaismile.jp. Read Thailand for Visitors. A local legend says, that around the year 500, while the area suffered a famine, a monk descended from heaven and a pious woman, Mae (mother) Suchada, offered him a water-melon. Inside was a large green gem, which turned into a Buddha image with help from the god Indra. Thats how the temple got its name: ‘The Monastery of the Emerald Buddha on the Water Jar Knoll’. But the legend has no happyend: The then king let kill Mae Suchada, the monk escaped. Of course another famine struck the area as a result of this decision. The Buddha image is now at wat Phra that Lampang Luang. The complex houses also a Lanna Museum, founded 1968, showing a collection of Lanna art and antiques.

Wat Suchadaram: Behind Wat Prakaeo Don Tao it is Wat Suchadaram, constructed in 1804 and a mixture of Lao, Burmese and Lanna art and architecture. It's the style of Chiang Saen, whose residents were resettled here by King Kavila after Chiang Saen was demolished by the Burmese.

Wat Hua Kuang: "The Monastery north of the Plaza": The name refers to the old city centre. Also built by the pople from Chiang Saen.

Wat Saeng Muang Ma: The most important wat in Lampang for ritual practice, the legend says that Queen Chamathewi has founded it.

Wat Pong Sanuk Thai: "The Monatery of the Southern Fun Marsh". This wat from the 18th century combines Lanna and Burmese styles on a mount built up to represent Mount Meru, home of the gods. See pictures by chimburi.com

Picture by Unesco. Wat Pong Sanuk was winner of 2008 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award. The Unesco writes: "The restoration of Wat Pongsanuk provides an inspirational model of community-led conservation in saving a unique Lanna temple. The project showcases the collective achievements of the monks and the local residents working in close cooperation with traditional craftspersons, local authorities and academic advisors. The restoration works have been thoughtfully and sensitively carried out, with the revival of traditional building and decorative techniques. The project has also achieved educational aims in teaching local history, as seen in the thoughtful on-site exhibits and the subtle notations of the earlier building footprint." Wat TaMaO: Known for medication school. Read a background-article of Irrawaddy Magazine. Suan Dok Taladkao Road ถนนตลาดเก่า: By the Wang River, it is also called Kad Kong Ta กาดกองต้า or Thanon Khon Doen. In the 19th century the place of Thai, Chinese, Burmese and British merchants. Their houses remained. Every Saturday from 6.30 it turns to a Walking Street with local and handmade products, antique objects as well as souvenirs, local food and clothes. Musicians are playing traditional Thai music. Picture by on Lampang :เปิดโลกลำปาง. See more pictures. Wat Sri Chum วัดศรีชุม: Sri Chum Rd. Largest Burmese style wat in Thailand. See pictures by tomcockrem.com, by voyagevirtuel.com and on flickr.com Sop Tui


Wat Si Rong Muang วัดศรีรองเมือง: A Burmese temple built in 1905, the Viharn made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style.


Outside of town

Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang วัดพระธาตุลำปางหลวง: The largest wooden temple in Thailand. See pictures by thaismile.jp Read Thailand for Visitors. The viharn was constructed in the 13th century and rebuilt in 1802. The Chedi was enlarged in 1449 and 1496. It's famous for its murals from the 16th century, its architecture and its colourful interiors. Inside you find the Buddha Image Phra Kaew Don Tao, said to be carved from the same jade block as the Emerald Buddha. The name of the wat - The Great Relic Monastery of Lampang - comes from the belief that the Buddha himself once visited here and donated a tuft of his hair, now enshrined in the chedi. More pictures by Teleek





Wat Chedi Sao Lang วัดเจดีย์ซาวหลัง "The temple of twenty Chedis", on the north side of the city, alle Chedis are white with upper parts in Burmese style. There is also a Chiang Saen-style bronze Buddha statue, called "Phra Chao Than Chai" by the locals. Read Thailand for visitors.


Wat Pa Fang วัดป่าฝาง A Shan monastery. Inside it has huge round teak pillars lacquered red below and gilded above.