This is without a doubt my favourite temple in Northern Thailand! In 2004, my future wife was told by a monk in Bangkok to come up here to pray because she was single and wanted to marry. She had never been to Lampang before but got on a train and came up. A few months later we met in a photo shop in Phra Kanong, Bangkok, and were married three months after that in December '04. In mid 2005 we returned to the temple together to give thanks and to pray for a baby daughter. Nine weeks ago today our daughter was born. So we feel a strong bond with Phra Tat Lampang Luang. For me, one of the nicest places is the leafy area at the back of the main compound with beautiful trees (bamboo I think, or maybe I am just imagining that) wrapped in silk scarves, and a few 'museums' in different buildings. I think we will go back again in 2007 to give thanks again... But I agree about the public transport, last time we managed to get out there OK in a song-thao (sp?)but had to hitch-hike back into town. Thank goodness so many locals have utility vehicles that can carry strangers on the back!

If you end up in Lampang it is really a "must to see"
Located off the tourist track i saw only a few (3)farang visitors.Maybe that why i liked it so much. If you stay in Lampang, just take a local taxi, it's about 30 minutes drive from the city.

I was just at the Wat and it must be one of the most beautiful. There is a legend that the bullet holes were caused when Nan Thipchang slipped through the drain (by using magic) at the back wall of the temple grounds (marked with a sign) and assasinated the Burmese gerneral who held control of the area. It was said he shot him by concealing a gun in a scroll and while presenting it he pulled the trigger. A statue of Nan is to the right of the Wihan. If you go to the left back side of the Wihan you can make a wish. There is a small rug with a small elephant with a handle on his back. Kneel on the rug, pray and ask a question of the Buddha, then- using just your left pinkie if you are a male / left ring finger if you are female - try and lift the elephant. Pray again and then try to lift a second time. If you lift the elephant the first time and did not lift the second- your wish will come to be. If you cannot lift the first but lift the second time your wish will not pass. If you cannot lift either it is not andswerable, if you lift both times it is a maybe. I tried it and it is quite strange...being quite strong and not much of a believer in this sort of stuff I did not expect it to work, but the elephant was impossible to lift the second time. Quite amazing! Now if my wish only comes true that is another matter...

Wat Prathat Lampang Luang is definitely the highlight. You can get a songthaew there for about 100-150B each way. If you get a songthaew taking just you they might want 400 return.