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The centuries-old Wat Phra Kaeo Don
Tao on Phra Kaeo Road used to be the place where the
Emerald Buddha was once enshrined in Bangkok. Interesting
structures include the hair of the Lord Buddha, a Burmese-style
Mondop, an ancient Wihan housing a reclining Buddha and
a museum exhibiting ancient relics of the Lanna era.
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Some 20 kilometres to the southwest
of town in Ko Kha district is Wat Phra That Lampang Luang,
a paradigm of temple building of Lanna. The temple itself
is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by a wall.
The entrance arche, called Pratu Khong, is adorned with
fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Wihan houses a
bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong. To
the back is a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style
containing a Holy Relic. Also in the back is another Wihan
with beautiful murals on wooden walls, said to be the oldest
in the north. The temple also has a large collection of
ancient wooden utensils.
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Lampang is the only province in Thailand still
retaining horse-drawn carriages as a means of transport within city
limit. Visitors can hire such vehicles to tour places such as markets,
traditional houses along the river bank and the numerous temples in
town.
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A major place for relaxation in Lampang
is the Chae Son National Park which is located in
Muang Pan district area. It can be reached by taking Highway
No. 1035 taking a left turn at Km. 59. A further 17 kilometres
is a lush forested and mountainous region with a 73-Celsius
hot spring over rocky terrain, providing a misty and picturesque
scene particularly in the morning. There are bathing facilities
for health purposes.
One kilometre away is a clear, cool
brook where tourists can take a dip in water fed by the
6-level Chae Son waterfall originating from winding brooks
and streams flowing through high mountains. There is accommodation
and camping areas for visitors.
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Lampang's largest. It can be reached by taking the
Lampang - Chae Hom - Wang Nua route for a distance of 110
kilometres. On reaching Wang Nua district, the waterfall
is a further 26 kilometres further on.
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Using the same route as Wat Phra That
Lampang Luang but taking a left turn at the district office
and continue for 14 kilometres is Wat Phra That Chom
Ping. Another age-old temple of Lampang, its unique
feature is the reflections of natural colours of the Chedi
which appear on the floor within the dark interior of the
Ubosot.
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Located on the Lampang-Ngao Road about
five kilometer from town with right turn at Km. 605 maker
is Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae. As it is situated
on a hillside, it afford a clear view of Lampang. Its almost
outstanding feature is the long stair leading to the Chedi
enshrining a Holy Relic.
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can be reached by taking the Lampang Ngao Road. after
17 kilometres. take a left turn and continue on for another
2 kilometres. One of Lampang's major sites, it is believed
to have been built by Queen Chamthevi some 500 years ago.
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About 5 kilometres from town on the
Lampang-Chae Hom road is Wat Chedi Sao Lang. Cooled
and shaded by large trees, the temple has 20 Chedis in its
compound, each made in the combined Lanna-Burmese style.
A Chiang Saen style bronze Buddha statue is also enshrined
here, commonly referred to as "Phra Chao Than Chai"
by the local people. The door panels of the Ubosot are of
ancient vintage with elaborate design.
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is located between Muang and Ngao districts just off
the main highway at Kms. 665-666, some 60 kilometres from
the provincial town. Cars can access right to the mouth
of a cave within which are picturesque stalactite and stalagmites.
There are also several smaller caverns, each with their
own attractions.
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Almost across Wat Pa Fang is Wat Chai Mongkhon The outstanding structure is the Kuti, monk's living quarters, which is a white cement building with Burmese-style wooden roof. lts columns are adorned with coils of golden wires in elaborate designs and colored glasses. The blinds and corridors are made of elaborately-fashioned perforated wooden sheet. Inside is housed a bronze Buddha statue of fine workmanship cast in Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Built during the reign of King Rama
IV by Burmese, Wat Pa Fang is located on Sanam Bin
Road. It has a large, glittering gold Chedi Containing a
Holy Relic brought over from Myanmar around 1906. The extensive
Sala Kan Parian (preaching hall) is made entirely of wood
with Burmese-style overlapping roofs. A small Ubosot has
a Burmese-style woodwork over its roof with beautiful plaster
designs over its doors. Usually there are a considerable
number of Burmese monks in residence.
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To the west of town is Wat Si Rong Muang, a Burmese temple built in 1905 during the time when Lampang was the commercial and forestry centre. Major architectural works include the Wihan made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style. It is a temple with elaborate carving decorations and plaster designs adorned with colored glass fashioned with delicate craftsmanship.
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is about 50 kilometres from town on the Lampang-Ngao
road near Km. 650 marker. Stacks of offering can be seen
around the site and the shrine is considered sacred. Road-users
passing by usually honk their car horn or set of fire crackers
as a sign of respect. Legend has it that Chao Pho Pratu
Pha was a great warrior of the Lampang ruler. He once fought
Burmese invaders to block their advance at Pratu Pha and
died fighting with his two swords still in his hands and
his body still leaning against the hillside. The attackers
were so frightened that they withdrew. To honour the brave
warrior, the people built the shrine which has since become
a sacred and revered place of worship.
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The Khun Than mountain range of the
Doi Khun Than National Park forms a natural boundary
between Lamphun and Lampang provinces. The northern rail
line to Chiang Mai runs through the longest rail tunnel
in the country, which is 1352 metres long and takes five
minutes to traverse. The mountain has both virgin jungle
and pinery.
Many tourists choose to walk from the
Khun Than Station up the mountain a distance of about 7
kilometres. There are four rest areas on the way. Visitors
may also camp overnight but must provides for their own
food. The best time to take the trip is between November
and February when the weather is fine and cool.
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is located in the Thung Kwian forest park in Hang Chat
district about 32 kilometres from town on the route to Chiang
Mai. It is the only facility in the world devoted to the
training of elephants for timber work using these pachyderms
as labor. There are performances and training demonstrations.
The art of making wooden elephants is also demonstrated.
There are 2-3 shows daily. Visitors can enjoy feeding these
intelligent giants or to ride them to see natural surroundings.
The centre provides health care for the elephants. For more
information call (054) 227051.
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at 33 Mu 9, Man Khoi in Tambon Ban Rong near the Phao Yao-Lampang
road, is a facility established by Khru Kam-aye Dejduangta.
It has an extensive collections of wood-carvings made by
Kru Kam-aye himself and serves as a school to train those
intending to become artisans and to provide occupations
for the local people.
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To reach
the Kiu Lom Dam, take the Lampang-Ngao Road and turn
left at Kms. 623-624 marker, which is about 38 kilometres
frm the town. Then continue for a further 14 kilometres
kilometres. Constructed for irrigation purpose, it has a
scenic reservoir suitable for boating or rafting. At lease
a half day tour is suggest. Visitors may opt overnighting
on raft. Places to see included cliffs, isles and a fishing
village.
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