This Lanna-style temple is located 21 km from Lampang, near Ko Kha. It is a landmark of Lampang Province. Situated on a small hill, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is surrounded by an 8th-century defensive wall, giving it the appearance of a citadel. The buildings within the walls date from the 15th century and are accessed via a long staircase with two naga-shaped handrails. Compared to most temples in the region, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is characterized by its very simple architecture. It consists of a spacious, open-sided Wihaan (Wihaan Luang) containing a gilded Ku pagoda in the Laotian style. This temple houses a Buddha surrounded by two smaller halls, a 45-meter-high chedi covered with copper and bronze leaves that have oxidized over the years and whose top is gilded, another Wihaan (Wihaan Phra Phut), and a small white building (Ho Phra Phuttabat) containing a Buddha footprint. Women are not permitted to enter this building. Note that in the Ho Phra Phuttabat, which must be about two square meters in size, a reflection of the temple appears on the wall or the white cloth hung there when the door is closed. This is due to the phenomenon of the camera obscura. However, women are still not allowed inside. Another unique feature of this temple is the two bullet holes in the railing in front of the large chedi, supposedly made by the legendary folk hero Nan Thipchang. The temple complex also houses two small museums.

The cheapest way to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is to take the blue songthaew 2462, which connects Lampang with Koh Kha. The 25-minute ride costs 20 THB. From there, you can cover the last 3 kilometers by motorbike taxi (40 THB). Songthaews can be found at the corner of Thanon Rajawong and Thanon Boonyawat or at the clock tower. For the return trip, go to the horse riders in front of the temple; one will take you back to the songthaew stop on his motorbike. Alternatively, you can ask for a motorbike taxi at the police station. Of course, you can also hire a taxi that will take you to the temple, wait there, and then take you back to your hotel in Lampang for approximately 350–400 THB. This option is more convenient and interesting, especially for groups.

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is a temple. When visiting a temple in Thailand, there are some rules to observe: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), remove shoes upon entering the building, be quiet, no hugging or kissing, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, and do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang? The cheapest way to reach Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is by taking the blue songthaew 2462, which connects Lampang with Koh Kha. The journey takes 25 minutes and costs 20 THB. From there, take a motorbike taxi for the last 3 kilometers (40 THB). Songthaews can be found at the corner of Thanon Rajawong and Thanon Boonyawat or at the clock tower. For the return trip, go to the horseback riders in front of the temple. One of them will take you back to the songthaew stop on his motorbike. Alternatively, you can also ask for a motorbike taxi at the police station. Of course, you can also hire a taxi that will take you to the temple, wait there, and then take you back to your hotel in Lampang for approximately 350–400 THB. This option is more convenient and interesting, especially for groups.