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| Lampang Tourism and Tourist Places of Interest |
- Lampang was originally a Mon fortified town with the traditional oval moat and city wall fortifications located on the Wang River. It dates from the 7th C. In addition it had four strategically fortified outer settlements [ wiang ].
- Lampang formed part of the Haripunchai Empire.
- The city fell to the Tai Yuan in 1296 after a battle near Chiang Mai. During the 19th C the area was a centre for the British teak wood trade and many Burmese workers were brought to the town to work in that industry. As a result of this and the 218 years of Burmese occupation of the region here there are numerous Burmese style works of art and architecture which were then introduced and remain today.
- The significant sites are marked on the map below. Lampang is 100 miles South East of Chiang Mai City and is accessible by freeway through forest covered mountains from the Ping Valley to the Wang Valley. It needs a two day visit.
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| Wat Phra At Lampang Luang |
| The most impressive site is Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. This was one of the four wiangs and the site of numerous battles. It became a Burmese garrison in 1729. The Vihan 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 mount of medieval appearance. The Lan Na art and architecture is outstanding and the fortification remains of three ramparts and two moats are impressive.
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Wat
Phra Kaeo Don Tao is located in the city of Lampang and was constructed
by the first ruler of Lampang. It has a significant tall gilded Chedi
and Burmese styled roofed mondrop. In 1434 -1468 it was the home for
the Emerald Buddha, now housed in Bangkok at Wat Phra Kaeo.
This is the
second major site in the region. Immediately behind it is Wat
Suchadaram constructed in 1804 and which incorporates Lao, Burmese and
Lan Na concepts of art and architecture. This typifies the workmanship
of Chiang Saen whose residents were resettled here by King Kavila after
the razing of Chiang Saen by the Burmese.
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| Inside The Old Fortified Town Of Lampang |
The old city was a fortified town straddling both sides or the Wang River. The roads follow the bends in the river and there are in excess of 13 Wats and other buildings of interest. These include, Wat Pong Sanuk Tai, an ancient monastery in Lan Na style, Wat Hua Kuang, another Chiang Saen styled complex, Wat Phra Fang, an excellent Burmese styled complex, Wat Si Chum, another Burmese styled sanctuary, Wat Saeng Muang Ma, Wat Chai Mongkhon, Wat Pratu Pong, Ban Sao Nak, a Lan Na styled teak wood mansion and Ban Singka.
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| Attractions Out Of Lampang Town |
| Excursions away from the old city should include, Wat Chedi Sao, the temple of 20 Burmese chedi , Wat Pong Yang Khok with its 13th C wooden vihara on a site which has its foundation in the 8th C, Wat Lai Hin and Wat Phra That Chom Ping.
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| Bronze Stupa At Wat Luang |
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