"Three days and two nights in Lamphang, I'm not lonely at all!"
Greetings once again to all my dear friends and fans of Jin! 55555555
This thread won't waste time with introductions, let's get straight to it! 😜
Everyone may wonder, what is Khelang Nakhon?
Yes, it is "Lampang Province," or as the older and younger generations know it, "the City of Horse-Drawn Carriages." Lampang is a small province that offers great joy to its visitors. In addition to its diverse culture and numerous ethnic groups, the people of Lampang are incredibly kind and friendly, which is why I, a little gibbon, have fallen in love with it and visited three times already.
The journey remains unchanged. This trip will depart from Don Mueang Railway Station (departing Don Mueang Station at 10:15 PM) and arrive at Nakhon Lampang Railway Station.
In addition to falling in love with Lampang, I also fell in love with traveling by train.
We arrived at Nakhon Lampang Railway Station at 10:10 AM.
Alighting from the train station, visitors are greeted by a multitude of small yellow songthaews (shared taxis) waiting to transport them around the city. These songthaews, which cost 20 baht for a ride around the city (the most expensive fare in Lamphang province), are a common sight in northern Thailand, where short-distance shared taxi rides tend to be relatively expensive. Our destination was the Lamphang bus terminal, located near our accommodation.
The first day, we stayed at Aomsin & R-M Place. It was a simple accommodation with fan rooms for 250 baht per night and air-conditioned rooms for 300 baht per night. I don't have the contact number, but if you want to stay there, take a yellow car to the bus station and walk to the back. You will see a motorcycle repair shop on the left. Turn into the alley and you will find it.
After packing our belongings, we walked out to the front of the alleyway and turned left. We walked straight for a short distance and found a motorbike rental shop on the right-hand side. If you rent a motorbike for one day, it costs 300 baht. However, if you rent it for two days or more, it costs 250 baht per day. We decided to rent a motorbike for three days, which cost 750 baht (with a 1000 baht deposit that will be refunded when we return the motorbike).
(Even the car rental shop looks classic, you guys!)
Upon arriving in Lampang, we decided to try some of the local delicacies. We chose "Niyom Ocha, Pu Yong's Noodle Shop".
Located in the city center of Loei. If you want to eat, just open GPS and find your way there. 5555555
Upon arrival, we discovered that the establishment was closed. It remained closed for the duration of our stay, leaving us unable to experience it.
If you have the opportunity to visit, be sure to try it and let us know if it lives up to its reputation.
Continue traveling according to the plan, starting with the first destination.
Sri Rong Mueang Temple
The Sri Rong Mueang Temple, located in Ban Tha Kra Noi, Tambon Sop Tui, in the western part of the municipal area, is a Burmese temple built during the reign of King Rama V by wealthy timber merchants at a time when Lampang was a center of trade and logging. The significant architectural features include the wooden viharn with its multi-tiered, gabled roof and nine spires, all in the Burmese style. The ceiling is adorned with intricate wood carvings, and the large, round pillars are decorated with exquisite patterns and stained glass.
It will take some time because from here we will go far, to another district.
Wat Phra That Chom Ping
This translates to "Temple of the Relics of Chom Ping" in English.
Is there anything else you would like me to translate?
The Golden Jewel of Jomping: Wat Phra That Chom Ping
Nestled in the heart of Jomping village, Lamphang province, Wat Phra That Chom Ping stands as a testament to the exquisite artistry of the Lanna Kingdom. Its golden stupa, shimmering under the sun, is a beacon of faith and beauty. The tiered base, known as a "yod muen," adds to the architectural grandeur of the structure. Within the stupa lies a sacred treasure: a relic of the Buddha himself. Built during the reign of King Tilokaraj, Wat Phra That Chom Ping continues to inspire awe and devotion among visitors and locals alike.
The key feature of this temple is the natural-colored reflection of the stupa, which is projected through a small hole on the window onto the floor inside the ordination hall, visible at all times when there is light, both day and night.
And if we use our phone to look into the hole, we will see this pattern.
The temple grounds also house a museum showcasing various archaeological artifacts, including pottery fragments, bronze hooks, stone bracelets, bronze bracelets, and spearheads, unearthed within the temple and surrounding areas.
The temple grounds also offer a small coffee shop and souvenir stalls for the convenience of visitors.
Continue traveling to
Luang Shoulder Stone Temple, or Selaratanaphapphataram Temple
A centuries-old temple in Lampang province, Wat Lai Hin holds significant religious importance, as evidenced by historical records, inscriptions, and local legends.
The significance of Wat Lai Hin extends beyond its status as a historical temple in Lamphang province. It also serves as a repository for ancient scriptures, attracting scholars and enthusiasts from within and beyond the community. While some scriptures have suffered damage over time, a portion remains well-preserved and is housed in the temple's Dharma hall. These ancient scriptures constitute crucial historical and religious evidence, highlighting Wat Lai Hin's importance as a center for religious studies in ancient times. Notably, the temple houses documents dating back over 700 years, inscribed in the Pali language and Lanna script. One such document, the "Saka Wakani," dates back to 601 C.S. (1782 C.E.) and comprises 7 volumes with 364 pages.
The Wat Lai Hin temple complex houses numerous significant historical structures, including a viharn hall, a bot chapel, a stupa, a gatehouse, and a dharmasala. These structures are not only notable for their age but also for their artistic value, showcasing the craftsmanship, architectural beauty, and decorative elements that reflect the community's beliefs and practices.
While we were at Wat Sai Hin, a local from Lampang suggested that we visit this temple. (He even kindly drove us to the temple, offering both blessings and directions.)
Santi Nikom Temple
The Santi Nikhom Temple, originally named "Santi Nikhom Samakkhi Tham Temple," was established on June 10, 1982, on the land of the Hang Chat Cooperative Settlement, covering an area of 15 rai 85 square wa. It began as a hermitage.
The temple has constructed a "hell" to educate people about the consequences of wrongdoing. This includes recreations of hungry ghosts, a copper cauldron, and a fig tree, all accompanied by frightening sound and light effects. This serves as a reminder of the afterlife, where it is believed that good deeds lead to heaven while evil deeds result in punishment in hell.
This concept was proposed by Luang Pu Sa-ard Kusalo, and the temple aims to build a simulated hell with light and sound effects to educate people to refrain from wrongdoing and uphold the five precepts.
This is the path to heaven, and that's all there is to heaven for now.
The construction is more than 50% complete. It is expected to take a long time to be completed.
Drive back from Wat Santhiniyom to
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is located in Lampang Luang Subdistrict, Ko Kha District, Lampang Province, approximately 18 kilometers southwest of Lampang city. It has been a significant temple of Lampang since ancient times. According to legend, it was built during the reign of Queen Chama Thewi in the late 20th Buddhist century. It is one of the most complete wooden temples in Thailand, adorned with numerous ancient architectural features. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is the zodiac pagoda for those born in the year of the ox, as construction began and was completed in the year of the ox. The base is decorated with lotus bud motifs, while the body is a Lanna-style sphere covered in gold leaf. The golden umbrella-shaped spire features intricate repoussé patterns in various traditional designs. This pagoda style influenced the design of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai and Phra Borommathat Chae Hom. The interior of the pagoda enshrines relics, including hair and bone fragments from the right forehead, front, and back of the Buddha's neck. On the brass fence surrounding the pagoda, there are bullet holes from the gun of Nan Tipthep Chang, who shot at Thao Mahayon.
At Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, there are many souvenir shops, including those selling ceramic cups with rooster emblems. Don't forget to stop by and buy some souvenirs!
Let's speed up a bit because from this point we will go to another district. Let's speed up the plane directly to
Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan
This translates to "Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan" in English.
Is there anything else I can help you translate today?
Phra That Doi Phra Chan Temple is located in Pa Tan Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lampang Province. It is a temple situated on the serene peak of a mountain called Doi Phra Chan. The temple offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mae Tha District, showcasing lush green mountains in all directions. During the rainy and winter seasons, early mornings present a spectacular view of a sea of mist. (Note: This mesmerizing view is only visible in the mornings. If you visit in the evening, like we did, you might encounter a different sight.)
On the 8th waxing moon of the 7th lunar month (the 9th month in the northern calendar), which falls around May of each year, Buddhists from Pa Tan sub-district and neighboring areas make a pilgrimage to the top of Doi Phra Chan to pay homage to the Phra That Doi Phra Chan. The pilgrimage is led by the community's respected leader, the late Luang Pho Panya of Wat Nak Tat Luang, a revered monk who was the spiritual center for monks, novices, and devotees. He passed away, but his legacy lives on as the leader of the Pa Tan sub-district faithful who continue the annual tradition of paying homage to the Phra That. The ceremony includes the lighting of fireworks to worship the Phra That and a fireworks competition, a tradition that has been passed down to the present day.
A quick photo with the locals before heading out.
This local hasn't been focused on yet, it flew over to peck at the little one's head. Haha, no way! We have to run away quickly.
Due to time constraints, we should not linger in any one place for too long. It is approaching dusk, and we must move on swiftly.
Phra That Sandon Temple (Saphan Boon Phra That Sandon Temple)
Or Kua Tae, located in Ban Wang Ngern, Mae Tha district, Lampang province, is a 360-meter-long bamboo bridge that stretches across the villagers' rice fields. If you plan to visit, it's recommended to come during the rice planting season or the harvest season for the best views.
There is a local noodle shop here that offers generous portions at affordable prices. If you're feeling hungry, stop by for a bite!
A little further and you will reach the temple.
We arrived quite late in the evening, and the monks were in the middle of their evening prayers. We didn't want to disturb them, so we didn't take many photos. However, we highly recommend visiting Wat Phra That Sondon if you are in Lamphun. It is a beautiful temple with a rich history.
In the evening, after returning to my accommodation, I showered, changed, and hurried out to walk around Kad Kong Ta, or the walking street for people in Lamphang province. It is located on the road along the Chinese market. In the past, before this road was the economic center of Lamphang province, going back hundreds of years, this road was a street of wealthy timber merchants of various ethnicities. Because it is an old economic road, coupled with the good fortune that the community has preserved, there are beautiful architecture, buildings, and houses on the walking street for us to see.
The Kad Kong Ta market operates only on Saturdays and Sundays, approximately from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
There are quite a few pictures, haha. I believe that if anyone goes to Lamphang, they will want to take pictures like us. Is it really beautiful or is it just a trick? Do you want to know? You have to go there yourself!
Good morning! Let's wake up early and observe the local way of life. (Actually, we're just sitting on this bridge, haha. Watching what people here do in the morning. It's relaxing and pleasing to the eye.)
Lost in the moment, we forgot to check the time. As the morning slipped away, we realized we needed to leave our accommodation and head towards our intended destination. Let's go!
Wat Chelimphrakiat Phra Chom Klao Rachanusorn, also known as Wat Phra Bat Pu Pha Daeng
(Note: The original text contains informal language and emojis, which are not appropriate for academic writing. The translated text will use a formal tone and avoid such elements.)
The temple, also known as Wat Phra Bat Suthawat, is a stunning sight. The climb to the top may be tiring, but the panoramic view from the summit is truly breathtaking, offering a sense of tranquility and awe.
The Temple of the Royal Merit
The Temple of the Royal Merit, also known as Wat Chedi Phra Kiat, is situated atop a majestic mountain in Jae Hom district, Lampang province. Nestled within the Doi Phra Bat Wildlife Sanctuary, this sacred site boasts a revered footprint of the Buddha. The temple complex is divided into three distinct sections, or levels.
To reach the revered footprint of the Buddha on the mountain, visitors can take a shuttle service provided by the temple. The 3-kilometer ride costs 25 baht per person for a round trip. The destination, known as "Phu Pha Moke" or "Doi Chi Moke" (meaning "fog catcher" in the local dialect), houses the sacred footprint. Visitors can follow the signs from the drop-off point for approximately 300 meters to reach the site.
The air above was cool and refreshing, with a constant breeze and a light mist. After resting for a while to enjoy the fresh air and the view, we headed back down to the second location, which was not far from here. It is a place that everyone who comes to Lamphang must visit.
Jae Son National Park
Located in Village No. 8, Wang Ngian Subdistrict, on the Lampang-Denchai Road, the park features a natural hot spring with beautiful rock formations amidst hot water pools. The hot spring water reaches temperatures of 70-80 degrees Celsius, capable of boiling eggs within 15 minutes, resulting in a soft-boiled yolk and a slightly firm white, similar to a young coconut. During the summer, the area experiences intense heat, while the rainy season brings occasional fog along the roads. However, during the winter, especially in the early morning before sunrise, the park offers breathtaking views.
The boiled eggs are ready, don't forget to pick them up. The soft-boiled eggs here are the best (I ate them too quickly and didn't have time to take a picture, haha).
The Jae Son National Park offers accommodation for tourists. For those interested, please contact this number: 093 137 5533. Additionally, the park boasts numerous nature trails and waterfalls for visitors to explore. (Unfortunately, it was raining on the day of our visit, so I didn't dare go up alone. Haha!)
Let's move on.
Kiew Lom Dam
Our stay here was brief due to ongoing renovations at the dam on the day of our visit. However, tourists can still enjoy raft trips. Prices for these trips can be obtained directly from the raft operators, with a wide variety available.
Leaving here now because it looks like it's going to rain again. Heading to Ngao district, a place we've been really wanting to visit (although we seem to want to visit everywhere).
First parking spot: Wat Chong Kham
Wat Chong Kham, a magnificent Tai Yai-style temple, is located in Ban Huat Subdistrict. It is one of the oldest temples in Lampang Province. The architecture is remarkably majestic, showcasing Tai Yai artistry. The exact date of its construction remains unknown. The original Tai Yai-style Vihara Chai Bhum was relocated to Ancient City in Samut Prakan Province.
The current wooden viharn is a newly constructed structure, completed in June 2006. This construction was undertaken to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. As part of this commemoration, Wat Chong Kham was elevated to the status of a royal temple, becoming the new royal monastery in Lamphang province. Additionally, the temple serves as the provincial center for Pali studies.
Okay everyone, everyone will see that we are talking about the ancient temple, but why are there no pictures of the temple? We will say that on the day we went, we didn't know if the temple had another entrance. We saw that the temple door at the temple was closed, so we thought that it was closed for renovation. So we could only take this picture (I want to say that I am very sorry).
The photograph depicts the Mahabodhi Stupa at Wat Chong Kham.
Let's move on. And then there is a place that we would like to present to everyone to see and admire very much.
Because it is very beautiful (It may not look so beautiful in the picture, but it is very beautiful in real life).
And it is also extremely difficult to get to.
Green Crater (Unseen Lampang, truly unseen, everyone)
"Green Crater" is a tourist attraction located within the Tham Pha Thai National Park. It is a large, crater-like pool of water situated on a mountain.
The surrounding area of the Green Pit is characterized by a dry evergreen forest, surrounded by cliffs formed by limestone mountains. It is a quiet place with a large number of animal species. Inside the pit or basin, there is a clear, still, and very deep body of water, the depth of which cannot be determined. The water appears blue to emerald green. It is also home to many species of fish. It is a hidden tourist destination worth visiting to admire the beauty of nature.
Upon reaching the verdant crater, consider venturing further to the captivating Mae Ka Waterfall and Kao Fu Waterfall, hidden gems of Lampang renowned for their breathtaking beauty.
Mae Ka Waterfall
The road conditions are quite challenging, to say the least. It feels like we've been driving for ages, but we still haven't reached our destination. Haha!
After exiting the Khao Khieo pit, turn right and head uphill. The road starts off well, but then… hmm… when will we arrive? When will we arrive? (We thought to ourselves).
First sign, happy!
After driving for a while, we thought we had arrived, but it turned out to be just a checkpoint. (We stopped to use the restroom, as we were sure that everyone who had come this way had experienced some nausea from the food they had eaten.)
As you drive, you will encounter roads like this (which are as long as the Great Wall of China).
Continue driving straight. When you reach a fork in the road, take the right-hand lane. You will see a village ahead. (I can't imagine the travel time, the roads are exactly the same!)
And here we are, the Mae Ka Waterfall we've been searching for! Let me tell you, this waterfall is absolutely stunning. You can swim in the waterfall here, but please help keep it clean. When we visited, the waterfall was incredibly clean, so much so that we hesitated to swim for fear of making the water cloudy and spoiling the beauty of the falls. (Just kidding!)
Embrace this nature, inhale the good ozone for a long time.
After listening to the sound of the Mae Ka Waterfall for a while, we had to move on as it was getting close to dusk and we were the only ones there (we passed other people on our way, as everyone was heading back). If you reach Mae Ka, be sure to continue on to Kao Fa. Although it's the same waterfall, its beauty is equally stunning.
Kaifu Waterfall
A Tranquil Atmosphere
The atmosphere here is as peaceful as ever. All I can hear is the sound of the waterfall and the birds singing, just like before. (Apologies for the shaky hand; I have a tripod, but I didn't set it up because it was about to rain, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pack it away in time. Haha!)
From here, we can drive to find accommodation. If you don't mind staying in a simple and comfortable place, just for sleeping and showering, this place is a good option. Baan Nam Nao offers fan rooms for 300 baht per night and air-conditioned rooms for 350 baht per night. It's not far from Lom Phao Kiew. Just open your GPS and you'll find it.
On the morning of the 3rd, we headed back to Mueang Lampang district (you have to wake up early because there are still many beautiful places in Mueang Lampang that we haven't explored yet).
Before returning, we stopped here first (actually, this place is before the way to Lom Phu Khew, but on the day we went, the park did not allow us to visit because it was raining. If we went into the cave, we would not be able to breathe because of the bat droppings).
Tham Pha Thai National Park
Free guided tours are available. Tipping the guide is optional. Guides as young as 10 years old are available.
If you want to know more, go and visit yourself. There is a lot of information, I'm too lazy to type it all out. 55555555555
However, the rules of visiting here are: Do not touch the rocks!! Got it?
The highlight of this location is the beautiful light that shines through at noon. (We took this photo around 9:00 AM.)
From Tham Pha Thai, make a U-turn and head towards Mueang district via the Lampang-Ngao route. Along the way, stop by the Shrine of the Gatekeeper Spirit. If you have time, you can also visit the Pha Tueng Rock Paintings, located near the shrine. (Unfortunately, it started raining again on the day we returned, so we could only pay our respects at the shrine and drive back to the city in the rain. Otherwise, we wouldn't have made it in time to buy our return tickets.)
And when we arrived in the city, there was not a single drop of rain (which was lucky). As soon as we arrived, we went to book tickets at the train station. We got the 6:10 pm train, so we had a long time to explore the city.
The journey begins at Wat Si Chum.
A renowned ancient temple in Lampang province, located on Thitthiwan Road, Suan Dok Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province. It is an old Burmese temple built entirely of wood from the Burmese forests. It is remarkably beautiful. It houses a golden Burmese and Mon-style stupa containing sacred relics brought from Burma. It has long been revered by the people of Lampang. Inside the viharn, there are murals depicting the life of Buddha and a model of the temple layout. The roof of the viharn is made of carved wood with a pointed top, exquisitely decorated with intricate patterns. It is the largest Burmese temple among the 31 Burmese temples in Thailand.
And the day we went, that's it. We just took pictures of what we saw.
I'm not going to wait any longer.
House of Pillars
A prominent architectural landmark in Lamphang province, this wooden house boasts 116 teak pillars, earning it the local name "Baan Sao Nak," where "Nak" signifies "abundance." The house exemplifies a fusion of Burmese and Lanna styles, featuring a main pavilion supported by the 116 teak pillars. The veranda's design reflects Burmese architectural influences, while the overall roof and structure adhere to the Lanna style.
Wat Pratu Pong
This translates to "Wat Pratu Pong" in English.
Is there anything else I can help you translate today?
The Wat Pratu Pong temple is located on Pa Mai Road in Wiang Nuea sub-district. The chedi and wihan were built in 1866 by Chao Yana Rangsi, the ruler of Lamphang. The ubosot (ordination hall) was constructed by skilled craftsmen from Sip Song Panna and features a blend of Chinese-influenced art. The temple holds historical significance due to the presence of the ancient city gate (Pratu Pong) and the ruins of a watchtower dating back to the reign of Phraya Kavila, the ruler of Lamphang. This watchtower served as a crucial defense point during a significant battle against the Burmese army in 1787. On the northern side of the city, the Burmese camp was established during their siege of the city.
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao
The temple houses the Phra Borommathat Don Tao, a large stupa containing a relic of the Buddha's hair. The Burmese-style pavilion features a magnificent large Buddha statue, while the viharn houses a reclining Buddha statue that is as old as the temple itself. The temple also includes the Lanna National Museum and the Wihan Phra Chao Thong Thip.
The last stop before leaving Khlang Lanna Kingdom: Pongsanuk Temple
The Pongsanuk Temple, also known as the Pongsanuk Nuea Temple, is located in Wiang Nuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province. It has been an important temple of Lampang for a long time. It is believed to have been built during the reign of King Anantayash, the son of Queen Chama Thewi of Hariphunchai (Lamphun), when he came to build Khelang Nakhon (Lampang) in 1223 BE or 1,328 years ago.
My journey to Khelang Nakhon has come to an end.
Many people may wonder if it is really possible to see everything in 3 days and 2 nights. I must say that this is our third time visiting Lampang. We have already visited some places before (so we didn't spend much time there, just taking photos, walking around, and resting our hands from driving). We also didn't include some places we visited on our first and second trips in this itinerary (in fact, it takes almost a whole day to explore the city of Lampang alone). When I travel alone, I always plan my trip carefully, researching transportation, accommodation, and attractions. This saves me a lot of time during the trip. Also, I'm the type of person who, once I've decided to go somewhere, I'll go no matter how difficult it is. I just want to see it, even if it's just a quick look. Haha. Go all the way and stop when you're tired.
Let's summarize the expenses for this trip.
Round-trip train fare: 504 baht
Room rate for 2 nights: 550 Baht
The fare is 40 baht.
The car rental fee for 3 days is 750 baht.
Fuel cost: 366 baht
Food expenses, including entrance fees to various parks (mostly consisting of noodle dishes), amounted to 756 baht.
A total of 2,966 baht.
Note: We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the lighting adjustments.
Note: All images are unedited and may appear blurry, dark, or unclear. Apologies for the inconvenience, as I am not skilled in image editing.
Thank you to everyone who read this post. I apologize if the images and text were a bit excessive.
We do not call this post a review post, but rather a "record from me, a (fond) traveler."
Wishing everyone good luck on all their journeys.
Beloved Lampang, I love you.
I have tried the noodles.
The meatballs are truly delicious.
However, I went to eat at the Chiang Mai branch 5555.
Every time I go to Lampang, it's always closed.
หนูนา จะไปไหน?
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 10:04 PM