17/12/2017... marks the date of our departure.
A week prior, we stumbled upon an Instagram post that depicted a woman sitting cross-legged atop a metal fence, with a backdrop of pristine white reeds, resembling a scene straight out of a dream...
Incredibly, a single image inspired us to embark on a journey to this destination: "The Reed Field by the Wang River, Ban Na Kuem Tai, Chomphu Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province."
Purchase a 23 baht train ticket (free train service is no longer available). Please have your ID card ready. Advance booking is not available; tickets must be purchased within 1 hour of departure.
It was a day of extremes: the coldest, the hottest, the longest walk, and the most fun.
6:30 AM: A Slow Departure from Chiang Mai Railway Station
The iron train slowly departs from Chiang Mai Railway Station, following the rising sun as it peeks over the horizon. The air is crisp and cool, prompting us to cover our heads with scarves, but our eyes remain glued to the view outside the window, a rare sight for those who don't often wake up at 5 AM. (A big thank you to the alarm clock!) For those who prefer a later start, there's another train to Lampang at 9:30 AM.
One of our companions
The Lamphun Railway Station welcomed us with the enticing aroma of fried chicken and sai oua, a northern Thai sausage. The friendly smiles of the vendors were irresistible, and before we knew it, we were holding a sai oua and sticky rice in our hands.
Curiously, while grilled pork sausage is widely available, when seasoned with stunning views and cool, refreshing air, it transforms into the most delectable sausage imaginable.
A man is selling instant noodles, holding a box of instant noodle cups in one hand and a hot water dispenser in the other. He has a money pouch tied around his waist, which is commonly used by street vendors. "What kind of instant noodles do you have? Instant noodles!" he shouts. I admire his dedication.
Have you ever persevered through exhaustion to achieve something meaningful? The reward, like a breathtaking and ever-changing vista, can far outweigh the fatigue.
After a two-hour journey, we arrived at Lampang Railway Station. We were told that the kway chap stall in front of the station was delicious, so we decided to give it a try.
The Po Kway Chap shop is located in front of Lampang Railway Station. If you walk out of the station, look to your right and you will see a small restaurant with a lot of people. That's the shop. Walk in, even if there are a lot of people, because the shop uses a table-sharing system. The Kway Chap is delicious and has a lot of ingredients. If I have the chance, I will go back to eat again.
Ride the green bus around the city.
After a satisfying meal, we looked for a green taxi. "Uncle, we want to go to the reed field. Do you know it?" I asked. "Oh, the one where many people go to take pictures?" the uncle replied. He then offered to take us around for half a day for 300 baht, regardless of the number of passengers. Since there were three of us, we agreed. The uncle said he would take us to the reed field, Wat Chedi Sao, Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, and then drop us off at Saphan Ratchadamnoen Bridge at noon.
The actual sight of the reed field was far more beautiful than the pictures. It was a pity that I could only capture a small portion of its beauty. The field was truly breathtaking, with hundreds of pristine white reeds growing along the edge of the Wang River. The sloping terrain allowed for close-up photographs near the water.
We came here for this, so we took a lot of pictures. It's a pity that we came in the late morning, so the pictures were backlit. We had to edit them a little bit.
Buddhist Tour - Wat Chedi Sao - Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao
The name Wat Chedi Sao derives from the number of chedis (pagodas) within the temple, which totals twenty. Each chedi exhibits Burmese architectural style. It is said that attempting to count the chedis can be a challenge, with some visitors undercounting and others overcounting due to the way they are stacked.
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao Suchada Ram, a temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha, is steeped in history and lore. The serene grounds offer a tranquil escape, complete with a fish-feeding area.
Rattanakosin Bridge (White Bridge), a 100-year-old landmark - A must-visit check-in point.
We can walk on both sides of the bridge, but the cars come very fast, so be careful.
Enjoy the view of the Wang River at noon. If you come in the late afternoon, we recommend coming to this spot. The sunset is beautiful, with the sky turning a pink-orange hue. The setting sun reflects off the water's surface, birds fly overhead, and people are bustling about. On weekends, there is a walking street nearby called Kong Ta.
Walking around Gonda was crazy hot!
It's time for a midday stroll on Khlong Toei Road. Of course, there's no walking street and it's scorching hot. It's noon, after all. Everyone else is riding their bikes. 😂 Who would be crazy enough to walk with me?
After searching for a place to escape the heat, I stumbled upon "Pring" on Google. The prices here are incredibly affordable, with drinks costing only 79 baht per glass, as you can see. We couldn't even finish them all.
The shop was beautifully decorated, and the upper floor was a hotel. Afterwards, my friend from Lampang took me on a tour (thanks a lot!).
Another round of merit-making at Wat Sri Rong Mueang and Wat Chiang Rai.
Wat Si Rong Mueang boasts a magnificent teakwood wiharn, showcasing Burmese-style architecture. Dating back to the reign of King Rama V, the temple also served as a filming location for the popular drama "Ruk Nakorn."
The temple's name is Chiang Rai, but it is located in Lampang. The temple was built by people from Chiang Rai to commemorate their hometown. The temple's architecture is in the Lanna style.
Stop by the Indra Outlet for souvenirs before heading back. It's located near the Five-way Clock Tower.
Transport ceramic cups from Lamphang city back to Chiang Mai.
Due to the need to purchase a bus ticket an hour in advance, there was only a short time to find something to eat.
Visiting Lamphang, I wanted to take a picture with the green car as a souvenir. I asked the owner's permission, and he kindly agreed.
Take a photo before leaving.
On the way back, we took an air-conditioned train for 50 baht per person. The return train had 3 rounds: 10:00 AM, noon, and 5:30 PM. This round was not late, it was exactly on time. We returned to Chiang Mai safely.
"If Lampang were a person, it would be someone with many different looks. One day they might be dressed modestly, and the next they might be rocking a bold and vibrant outfit. Every time we visit, we're always excited and discover something new. We never get bored. We promise to come back again this winter."
The reed fields are typically in bloom during November and December. We rely on social media check-ins to determine when the reeds are in full bloom.
Pladao.Diary
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 6:33 PM