Lampang Travel Guide

Situated on the banks of the Wang River, Lampang is northern Thailand’s third-largest town and the capital of Lampang Province. It is famous for being the country’s only destination that still retains horse-drawn carriages, which are regularly used for transportation within the city limits.

Lampang lies about 100kms southeast of Chiang Mai but has been spared from the mass tourism that has changed the characters of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Thanks to the relative lack of skyscrapers, the town is a preferred setting for period drama. Visitors can hire its memorable horse-drawn carriages to tour the countless temples or traditional buildings along the river bank.

Tourists typically pause here for lunch and go to see the more popular attractions like Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a spectacular temple set atop a hill some 20kms to the southwest, or the nearby Elephant Conservation Center, before proceeding farther north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.

Lampang’s lesser known tourist draws are mostly visited by local people and include the imposing Wang Kaeo Waterfall and the compact yet delightful Chae Son National Park, which features large waterfalls and a natural hot spring.

Getting There & Away

About 600kms from Bangkok, Lampang is a significant highway hub boasting a four-lane highway connection to Chiang Mai (100kms) and a major highway to Phrae. It is also a main stop for the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which takes approximately 10 hours. Lampang Airport operates daily flights to the capital via Phitsanulok.

Things to Do

Lampang Attractions

Horse-drawn carriages

The last of these vehicles in thailand.

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

Famous for its murals dating from the 19th century.

Elephant Conservation Center

Cures and protects these kindly creatures.