Day trip to Lampang

One Saturday we rented a car and took a day-trip to Lampang, an ancient town about 60 miles south or Chiang Mai. It dates from the 7th C., and was originally a Mon fortified town with the traditional oval moat and city wall fortifications located on the Wang River. In addition it had four strategically fortified outer settlements [ wiang ]. Lampang formed part of the Haripunchai Empire. During the 19th and 20th Centuries it was an important center for the teak trade, and the British-owned timber companies brought in many workers from Burma. Hence, the style of the temples seen in Lampang show Burmese influence in their design.

The most impressive site is Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. The Viharn is reported to be the oldest existing wooden building in Thailand and was built around 1476. This was one of the four wiangs and the site of numerous battles. It became a Burmese garrison in 1729. The Viharn was originally constructed in the 13th C and rebuilt in 1802 and the Chedi was enlarged in 1449 and 1496. Both are spectacular and are set in a walled wiang, high on an earthen mound of medieval appearance. The Lan Na art and architecture is outstanding and the fortification remains of three ramparts and two moats are impressive as well.

Wat Chedi Sao, the temple of 20 Burmese chedis, was peaceful and interesting too.
Temples in Thailand seem to collect all kinds of statues and other gifts so you might find anything around the temple. There was also a small temple with a solid gold Buddha statue in the grounds.



We enjoyed a nice walk through the Saturday market on the Old Market Street. Lots of beautiful old houses and guest houses,made of wood and decorated with lovely carvings,lined the streets.

Lampang is now a "sleepy" town with not the development seen in Chiang Mai and it made a lovely day-trip.