Northern Thailand - Thailand - page 592

was the only airline operating out of Lampang. Sŏrng·tăa·ou from the airport to down-
town cost 50B; taxis charge 200B.
Lampang's bus and minivan terminal is nearly 2km south of the centre of town, at the
corner of Th Phahonyothin (Asia 1 Hwy) and Th Chantarasurin - frequent sŏrng·tăa·ou
run between the station and town from 3am to 9pm (20B, 15 minutes).
Lampang's historic train station ( 0 5421 7024, 1690; www.railway.co.th ; Th Phahonyothin) dates
back to 1916 and is a fair hike from most accommodation; a túk-túk between here and the
centre of town should run around 80B.

Getting Around

Getting around central Lampang is possible on foot. The Tourism Authority of Thailand
office has free bicycle rental from 10am to 4pm; bring your passport. Both bicycles (per
day 60B) and motorcycles (per day 200B) are available for rent at Ozone (395 Th Thipchang;
9am-8pm) . For destinations outside of town, there is a taxi stall ( 0 5421 7233; Th Suandawg;

6.30am-5pm) near the Pin Hotel.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Around Lampang

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

This ancient Buddhist temple compound ( daylight hours) houses several interesting reli-
gious structures, including what is arguably the most beautiful wooden Lanna temple in
northern Thailand, the open-sided Wihan Luang . Dating back to 1476 and thought to be the
oldest-standing wooden structure in the country, the impressive wí·hăhn (sanctuary) fea-
tures a triple-tiered wooden roof supported by immense teak pillars and early 19th-century
jataka murals (stories of the Buddha's previous lives) painted on wooden panels around
the inside upper perimeter. A huge, gilded mon·dòp in the back of the wí·hăhn contains a
Buddha image cast in 1563.
The small and simple Wihan Ton Kaew , to the north of the main wí·hăhn, was built in
1476, while the tall Lanna-style chedi behind the main wí·hăhn, raised in 1449 and re-
stored in 1496, is 45m high.