Things to do in Lampang
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Wat Chedi Sao
Located about 6km north of town, via Th Pamaikhet, this temple is named for the sow (northern Thai for 20) whitewashed Lanna-style chedi on its grounds. But the wát's real treasure is a solid-gold, 15th-century seated Buddha on display in a glassed-in pavilion, built over a square pond. The image is said to contain a piece of the Buddha's skull in its head and an ancient Pali-inscribed golden palm leaf in its chest; precious stones decorate the image's hairline and robe. A farmer reportedly found the figure next to the ruins of nearby Wat Khu Kao in 1983. Monks stationed at Wat Chedi Sao make and sell herbal medicines; the popular yah mòrng is similar to tiger balm.
reviewed
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Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao
From 1436 to 1468, this wát was among four in northern Thailand to previously house the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew). The main chedi shows Hariphunchai influence, while the adjacent mon·dòp (the small square, spired building in a wát) was built in 1909. The mon·dòp, decorated with glass mosaic in typical Burmese style, contains a Mandalay-style Buddha image. A display of Lanna artefacts (mostly religious paraphernalia and woodwork) can be viewed in the wát's Lanna Museum.
Adjacent to the temple complex, pretty Wat Suchadaram dates back to 1809 and is named after Mae Suchada, the central figure in a local legend.
reviewed
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Baan Sao Nak
In the old Wiang Neua (North City) section of town, Baan Sao Nak was built in 1895 in the traditional Lanna style. A huge teak house supported by 116 square teak pillars, it was once owned by a local kun·yĭng (a title equivalent to 'Lady' in England); it now serves as a local museum. The entire house is furnished with Burmese and Thai antiques, but structure itself and its manicured garden are particularly magnificent.
reviewed
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Pa Pawng
If you happen to be in town on a weekend, be sure to stop by this popular local haunt serving kà·nŏm jeen (fresh rice noodles topped with various curries). You can’t miss it (simply look for a row of bubbling curries in earthenware pots), and ordering is a snap (simply point to whatever looks good). Auntie Pawng’s speciality is kà·nŏm jeen nám ngée·o, a delicious northern-style broth of pork and tomato.
reviewed
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Khawng Kin Ban Haw
Located just outside the centre of town but worth the trip, this local favourite is most popular after dark when a bottle of whisky is regarded as a typical side dish. This is a good place to try northern Thai staples such as gaang kaa gòp (a herb-laden soup with frog) or lâhp kôo·a (lâhp that has been stir-fried with local spices).
reviewed
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Riverside Bar & Restaurant
This wooden shack that appears to be on the verge of tumbling into the Mae Wang is extremely popular with visiting and resident foreigners. Live music, a full bar and an expansive menu of local and Western dishes bring in the crowds, and you’d be wise to plan your visit around the homemade pizza nights (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday).
reviewed
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Aroy One Baht
Some nights it can seem like just about everybody in Lampang has gathered at this rambling wooden house, and understandably so: the food is tasty and embarrassingly cheap, the service lightning fast, and the setting in a wooden house-cum-balcony-cum-garden heaps of fun.
reviewed
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Grandma's Café
Well-worn teak chairs and doily window shades suggest grandma's influence, but we doubt she had any role in the slate greys and minimalist feel of this trendy coffee shop. Regardless, stop by for decent java and a menu of rice dishes that rarely exceeds the 50B barrier.
reviewed
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Lampang's Evening Market
Self-caterers or those interested in local eats will want to check out Lampang’s evening market where steaming baskets of sticky rice and dozens of sides to dip it in are on daily display.
reviewed
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Krua 312
Set in a charming wooden shophouse and surrounded by black-and-white pictures of Lampang and the king, this tiny, simple restaurant serves foreigner-friendly curries, noodle and rice dishes.
reviewed
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Khun Manee
Lampang is known for its addictive kôw đaan, deep-fried rice cakes drizzled with palm sugar, the making of which can be observed at Khun Manee.
reviewed
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Samakhom Samunphrai Phak Neua
Next to Wat Hua Khuang in the Wiang Neua area, accessible via Th Pamaikhet, this rustic place offers traditional northern-Thai massage and herbal saunas. A motorcycle taxi ride here should cost about 20B.
reviewed
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Pet Yang Hong Kong
This is the best spot for roast duck with rice (or noodles). It’s opposite Kim Hotel, near several other rice and noodle joints.
reviewed
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Deuan Den Thai Massage
Situated close to downtown, Deuan Den Thai Massage offers traditional massage and other basic spa services.
reviewed
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Gibbon
This curiously named open-air restaurant/pub is located on the strip of Th Thip Chang near Riverside Bar & Restaurant.
reviewed
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Relax Pub
This friendly open-air restaurant/pub is located on the strip of Th Thip Chang near Riverside Bar Restaurant.
reviewed
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Lampang's Evening Market
Self-caterers or those interested in local eats will want to check out Lampang’s evening market where steaming baskets of sticky rice and dozens of sides to dip it in are on daily display.
reviewed
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N
Relax Bar & Restaurant
This friendly open-air restaurant/pub is located on the strip of Th Thip Chang near Riverside Bar Restaurant.
reviewed
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Wat Si Rong Meuang & Wat Si Chum
Wat Si Rong Meuang, on Th Thakhrao Noi, and Wat Si Chum, on Th Thipawan, were built in the late 19th century by Burmese artisans. The temple buildings are constructed in the Burmese 'layered' style, with tin roofs gabled by intricate woodcarvings.
reviewed
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Wat Pongsanuk Tai
Despite having lost much of its character in a recent renovation, the mon·dòp at Wat Pongsanuk is still one of the few remaining local examples of original Lanna-style temple architecture, which emphasised open-sided wooden buildings. To get an idea of what it was like previously, look at the carved wooden gateway at the entrance to the north stairway.
There are a couple of informal museums on the temple grounds showing local artefacts, but with little English explanation.
reviewed
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Walking Street
Perhaps wanting to emulate the success of Chiang Mai's street markets, Lampang now has its own along the charming Th Talad Gao(also known as Kat Korng Ta). Dotted with old shophouses showcasing English, Chinese and Burmese architectural styles, the street is closed to traffic on Saturday and Sunday from 4pm to 10pm and fills up with souvenir, handicraft and food stalls. A similar Cultural Street is also held on Th Wang Nuea from 6am to 9am on Sunday and 6pm to 9pm on Friday.
reviewed
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Vegetarian Food
A wide selection of Thai-style veggie dishes is served at this shophouse restaurant.
reviewed
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Thai Massage Shops
Several places at the far eastern end of Th Talad Gao offer Thai massage for about 150B per hour.
reviewed
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Riverside Bar & Restaurant
This wooden shack that appears to be on the verge of tumbling into the Mae Wang is extremely popular with visiting and resident foreigners. Live music, a full bar and an expansive menu of local and Western dishes bring in the crowds. You'd be wise to plan your visit around the homemade pizza nights (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday).
reviewed
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Papong
Be sure to stop by this popular local haunt serving kà·nŏm jeen (fresh rice noodles topped with various curries). You can't miss it (simply look for a row of bubbling curries in earthenware pots), and ordering is a snap (simply point to whatever looks good). Auntie Pong's speciality is kà·nŏm jeen nám ngée·o, a delicious northern-style broth of pork and tomato.
reviewed
