Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
100km southeast of Chiang Mai, has a
sedate, traditional charm and a few key
attractions, such as temples and an
elephant conservation centre.
he majority of the town is south of the
river, which curls west to east; the clock
tower is considered the central point,
while hanon Tipchang and hanon
Talat Kao run along the south bank just
northeast of here. Lampang is unique in
hailand for its horse-drawn carriages,
which act as charming, if bumpy, taxis
(from B200 for a 3km ride).
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre
he Thai Elephant Conservation Centre
(shows daily 10am, 11am & 1.30pm;
bathing at 9.40am and 1.10pm; B200;
T
054 228034, W thailandelephant.org),
30km northwest of Lampang on
Highway 11 towards Chiang Mai, is the
most authentic place to see elephants
displaying their skills; it also cares for
abandoned and sick elephants in its
elephant hospital. he interpretive
centre has exhibits on the history of the
elephant in hailand, elephant rides are
available and there is a full-day package
on offer combining a show, bathing your
elephant and bareback riding with the
chance to meet the staff and see the
hospital, plus lunch (B4000). he centre
is best visited en route between Chiang
Mai and Lampang: any Chiang
Mai-bound bus will drop you off on
Highway 11 at the main entrance to the
centre; from the gates there are regular
shuttle buses to the elephant showground
2km away.
10
Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao
he imposing, Burmese-influenced Wat
Phra Kaeo Don Tao on hanon Phra Kaeo,
northeast of the river, about 3km from
the clock tower, is noteworthy for its
bronze Mandalay Buddha, housed in a
Burmese-style building with a high,
gilded roof. From 1436 to 1468 it was
the home for the Emerald Buddha, now
housed in Bangkok at Wat Phra Kaeo
(see p.711).
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By plane Bangkok Airways runs flights from Bangkok's
Suvarnabhumi Airport (3 daily; 1hr 30min). The airport is
just south of town, and songthaews are on hand for the
short ride to the centre (about B100).
By bus The bus station is around 1km southwest of the
city, though many buses also stop on Th Phaholyothin in
the centre. Shared yellow-and-green songthaews will
drop you off at your destination (B20).
Destinations
Wat Si Rong Muang
West of the clock tower on hanon
Takrao Noi, Wat Si Rong Muang is a
Burmese-style temple built in 1905. Its
wooden viharn has a beautifully tiered
roof, and its interior is elaborately
decorated with coloured glass in patterns
of animals, flowers, leaves and guardian
angels. he nine spires represent the nine
families who donated generously for the
building of the temple.
Bangkok (at least hourly; 8hr); Chiang Mai
(every 30min; 1hr 30min); Chiang Rai (every 30min; 4hr);
Mae Sot (2 daily; 4-5hr); Nan (9-11 daily; 4hr).
By train The train station is about 500m further west
than the bus station, on Th Prasaanmaitri, and is also
served by shared songthaews (B20).
Destinations
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
It's also well worth heading 18km
southwest of town to Wat Phra That
Lampang Luang , a grand and well-
preserved capsule of beautiful Lanna art
and architecture. Its main, open-sided,
wooden viharn is one of the oldest in
hailand, dating back to 1486, and
features attractive nineteenth-century
painted panels. To get here, take a blue
songthaew from hanon Robwiang and
be sure to ask for Wat Phra hat
Lampang Luang (roughly hourly;
45min); or rent a motorbike from
Pornpitak Tour, h hipchang, near the
Riverside restaurant (B250/day).
Bangkok (6 daily; 10-12hr); Chiang Mai
(7 daily; 2-3hr).
Information There's a small tourist information centre
(Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, plus Sat in high season 10am-4pm;
T 054 237229 W lampangcity.go.th), just west of the
clocktower, next to the fire station on Th Takrao Noi.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
The stretch of Th Takrao Noi west of the clocktower is lively
after dark, featuring many simple restaurants and the
Atsawin night market running off it to the south, as well as
pubs and karaoke bars. On Saturday and Sunday evenings,
Th Talat Kao comes to life as a “walking street”, similar to
 
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