The
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre and Wat Phrathat
Lampang Luang, the finest example of a Northern Thai
temple, are highlights in a day's drive that goes
south to Lampang, a historical city on the banks of
the Wang River.
H11 is a fast
divided highway and the main trunk route to the south.
Many temples can be visited on this tour and you may
find it better to leave a visit to Lamphun for your
return. Turn left off H1 to enter Lampang City.
Lampang
was formerly known as Khelang and has been in existence
since before the 14th century. The ruling house of
this city fought for independence from the Burmese
in the 18th century and established an autonomous
northern vassal state centred on Chiang Mai, which
was finally incorporated into the Kingdom of Siam
in the late 19th century.
The
old wooden trading buildings along the riverfront
have been well-preserved in the Talat Kao area on
the south banks. The commercial south part of the
town can be seen in a tour by horse and cart starting
from in front of the provincial office.
On the northern
banks remnants of the old city walls enclose spacious
compounds and temples. A large teak house built in
1885 called Ban Sao Nak is open to the public (10:00
- 17:00), and Burmese style buildings are found at
both Wat Phra Kaew Ton Taew and Wat Pongsanuk Tai.
Wat Chum Si and Wat Si Rong Muang south of the river
area also Shan-Burmese in style.
For
dining in the evening the river front offers several
good restaurants and pubs; recommended is the Huan
Chom Wang (17:00 - 22:30).
DAY
1: SIDE TRIPS
ST1
The Elephant Conservation Centre
(H11.
KM.29.[1 km.])
This
is an attempt to counter the threat to the Asian Elephant
in Thailand and includes an elephant hospital. A modest
entrance fee is charged for shows (10 & 11 a.m.
every day; 1.30 p.m. weekends only) and rides are
offered.
ST2 Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang Via Ko Kha
(KM.20
[27 kms])
Turn
left (south) on H1034 to Ko Kha and Wat Phrathat Lampang
Luang (12 kms.). Lovely old buildings are found within
the fortified compound of what is considered the finest
wooden temple in the region. A pamphlet available
from the Phra Kaew Museum (08:00 - 17:00) in the temple
compound to the south of the walls gives details and
recounts the legend of the origin of the temple. Return
by going on to Ko Kha (4 kms.) and then turning left
(east) across the river and continuing straight to
Lampang.
Overview
Corporate
Housing
