Burmese Connection
Lampang has hosted human civilizations for over 1,400 years, yet the most influential period architecturally was the late 19th to early 20th centuries, when Burmese foremen worked in local teak mills. Burmese traders followed, and these two groups built fantastic temples throughout the city. Many still stand today (some with Burmese abbots) and are an important part of any visit to the north.

Lanna Temples
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao sheltered the sacred Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok, in the mid-15th century. The temple has a Mandalay Buddha image. Other Burmese-style temples are Wat Si Chum and Wat Si Rong Meuang. A typical Lanna-style temple is the 20-stupa Wat Chedi Sao, which houses a 1.5-kg solid gold Buddha image. Cast in the 15th century, the statue’s head reputedly holds a fragment of the Lord Buddha’s skull. However, to see what some call the north’s most awe-inspiring temple and one of the best examples of Lanna temple architecture, head 20 km out of town to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, built in the late 1400s. Another grand representation of the Lanna style is Ban Sao Nak; a private residence turned museum built in 1896. 116 teak pillars support the roof, and the house is full of antiques and handicrafts from Thailand and Myanmar.

Animal Transport
Surprisingly, Lampang still employs horse-drawn jigs to taxi people (mainly tourists) around: fares are negotiable. You will need something faster, however, to visit the Young Elephant Training Center (37-km northwest of Lampang). Here, tourists can discover the historical roles of Thai elephants and watch the animals work their routines, which include taking people for rides.