Categories > Guides and Tips
14 Best Things to Do in Lampang, Thailand
- Ride a horse cart around Nakhon Lampang
- Witness traditional bowl-making in the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum
- Enjoy the educational tour inside Museum Lampang
- Learn the history of Lampang's teakwood industry at Phum La Kon Museum
- Admire Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang's architecture
- Check out the Burmese-style structures inside Wat Si Rong Mueang
- See the unique reclining Buddha image in Wat Pong Sanuk Nua
- Appreciate Wat Sri Chum's stunning teakwood structures
- Embark on an uphill hike to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat's floating temple
- Spend your day relaxing at Nhong Krathing Park
- Eat your way through Kad Kong Ta Street Market
- Dip into the hot spring in Chae Son National Park
- Visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center
- Go camping at the Doi Khun Tan National Park
Chances are, the more time you spend in Lampang, the greater the chances you don’t want to leave. While it may not have as many stunning beaches as Phuket but its cultural significance is tops.
So without further ado, we’ll give you the epic things you can do in Lampang so you can make the most out of your Northern Thailand adventure. And earn bragging rights for your cultural discoveries in the process. Read on.
Ride a horse cart around Nakhon Lampang
Media from lampang_lhc
Going to Nakhon Lampang gives you the best chance to enjoy a horse cart ride in Thailand. After all, it’s the only city in the country with a sizable number of horse carts around.
Just to let you know, these horse-drawn carriages are part and parcel of the tours offered for tourists. Although this ancient method of roaming around is no longer the main transportation means for the city, it symbolizes Lampang.
Nakhon Lampang is also Lampang Province’s capital city, so expect to see most of its traditional architecture and famous temples when exploring it in a horse cart. About 100 horse carts are operating in the city, so you’re pretty much covered.
Witness traditional bowl-making in the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum
Media credit: hiroinbkk
Address: 32 ถนนวัดจองคำ พระบาท ซอย 1 ต.พระบาท Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52000, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 61 273 3344
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CeramicMuseum
Admission Cost: 100 baht
The locally produced rooster bowl is well-known to those who frequent this northern province. Watching how this traditional ceramic kitchenware is made is also one of the most recommended things in Lampang.
You can witness the traditional bowl-making process by visiting the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum. For 100 baht, you can get a guided tour that shows the production process and the factory where these elegant hand-painted kitchenware are made.
Lampang’s rooster bowls are geographically indicated products, so expect to find the best-quality ones here. Just so you know: The rooster has been a symbol of Lampang for decades now and rooster bowl making is a Chinese craft mastered by Thai locals.
Enjoy the educational tour inside Museum Lampang
Media credit: isla00990
Address: Bunyawat Road, Hua Wiang, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52000, Thailand
Operating Hours:
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Daily)
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 54 209 855
Website: http://www.facebook.com/tkmulp
Admission Cost: Free
A visit to Museum Lampang is one of the more educational experiences you can have in Lampang. Here, you can learn many things about the province: its history, unique architectural style, different dialects, and more.
There are numerous interactive displays inside the museum which makes it perfect for families with kids. Moreover, the information on most of the exhibits has English translations, so you don’t need to know Thai to enjoy your visit here.
The good news is this museum is open to the public making it one of the top free things you can do in Lampang. You need not shed any precious Baht just to drop by and witness Thailand’s cultural significance.
Learn the history of Lampang’s teakwood industry at Phum La Kon Museum
Media credit: miroslavtai
Address: สำนักงานเทศบาลนครลำปาง ห้าแยกหอนาฬิกา, ถนนฉัตรไชย, ตำบลสบตุ๋ย อำเภอเมืองลำปาง จังหวัดลำปาง, 52000 52100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Weekdays)
Contact Number: +66 54 237 237
Website: https://lampangcity.go.th/th
Admission Cost: Free
An educational tour in Nakhon Lampang isn’t complete without dropping by the Phum La Kon Museum. This unique venue is the best place to learn about the province’s infamous teakwood industry back in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
You can also learn about the “Curse of Lampang” during your visit here. It’s believed to be the reason Lampang didn’t become the economic and political capital of Northern Thailand.
There’s no admission fee in Phum La Kon Museum, so go here if you’re looking for something free to do in Lampang. This museum is hard to miss since it’s near the city’s famous clock tower roundabout.
Admire Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang’s architecture
Media credit: mantanaisme
Address: 271 Lampang Luang, Ko Kha District, Lampang 52130, Thailand
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/watpratartlampangluang/
Admission Cost: Free
Doing a temple visit at Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang is another recommended thing to make happen in Lampang. It’s the province’s most important religious temple, so expect to see monks, Buddha images, and enshrined relics in the temple grounds.
That’s why Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang is popular among the locals and pilgrims. This temple is a Lanna-style architecture which is the predominant design in Northern Thailand.
Its most popular structure is the bell-shaped black and gold pagoda and do take note: This temple is widely considered the oldest standing wooden structure in the whole country. Plus, you can join a water-pouring activity which brings good fortune.
Check out the Burmese-style structures inside Wat Si Rong Mueang
Media credit: marcinkonsek
Address: 64 Wang Khwa Road, Sop Tui, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Admission Cost: 50 baht
This one’s also a popular temple in Lampang. It’s one of the province’s most unique temples thanks to its distinct Burmese-style structures with hints of Lanna design.
That makes it an ideal destination for fans of temple architectural designs and dedicated shutterbugs. It was constructed in the 20th century, so expect to see a wide range of teakwood motifs.
This includes its layered gates, floors, columns, pillars, roofs, walls, and ceilings. Wat Si Rong Mueang’s cascading teakwood roof, in particular, is its most distinct and popular feature, something you shouldn’t miss while there.
See the unique reclining Buddha image in Wat Pong Sanuk Nua
Media credit: templesofthailand
Address: 60 Pong Sanuk Road, Tambon Wiang Nuea, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52000, Thailand
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 87 193 1193
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080381523418
Admission Cost: Free
The reclining Buddha image in Wat Pong Sanuk Nua is a unique attraction in Lampang, and we think it’s definitely worth your time. It’s well-known for its distinct Lanna, Burmese, and Chinese-style architecture which you won’t see in other temples.
That’s why the temple attracts mixed crowds of tourists, local worshippers, and pilgrims. This is also where you can find a one-of-a-kind reclining Buddha image which has depictions carved in its soles.
Aside from that, Wat Pong Sanuk Nua is famous for “The Hall of a Thousand Buddhas.” It’s an open teakwood hall featuring four Buddha images and 1,080 votive tablets with more images of Buddha to make an impression.
Appreciate Wat Sri Chum’s stunning teakwood structures
Address: 211 Tippawan Road, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Admission Cost: 40 baht
Wat Sri Chum is a stunning temple constructed during Lampang’s teakwood boom, so expect to see various wooden motifs within its sacred grounds. This includes the teakwood pillars, walls, and floors inside its golden chedi and ubosot.
There’s also the temple’s elegant multi-level Pyatthat roofing which resembles Myanmar’s Mandalay Royal Place. After all, Wat Sri Chum is a Burmese temple.
It even has enshrined relics from Myanmar. This temple is open to the public so come here when you’re starved of things to do in Lampang and want to immerse yourself in Thai culture.
Embark on an uphill hike to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat’s floating temple
Media credit: al.bron
Address: Wichet Nakhon, Chae Hom District, Lampang 52240, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Cost: 490 baht
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, also known as Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat is a famous attraction in Lampang because of its floating temples. It’s built on top of a mountain peak, so expect to get a breathtaking panoramic view once you reach the summit.
You must climb a steep 300-step staircase to reach the temple, but it’s definitely worth the effort. There are designated stops along the way, so you can tackle it at your own pace.
Just know that Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat charges a 490-baht entry fee to foreigners. It’s uncharacteristically a bit expensive for a Buddhist temple, exactly why we think it’s worth mentioning if you choose to go.
Spend your day relaxing at Nhong Krathing Park
Media credit: thakawe
Address: Bo Heao, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Cost: Free
There are plenty of exciting things to do in Lampang, but sometimes it’s nice to spend your day at a relaxing spot like Nhong Krathing Park. It’s a public park, so expect to see numerous benches, tables, street vendors, and play areas for kids.
Plus, the park is dotted with trees which means you’re already covered for a cool shady spot during your visit. That makes it ideal for picnics and family outings.
It’s also a popular walking and jogging spot, so expect to see people exercising in the morning and the afternoon. On weekends, there are entertaining shows and performances in the park, so if you want to unwind, visit during these days.
Eat your way through Kad Kong Ta Street Market
Media credit: pana_leica_m4.3_
Address: Talad Gao Road, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Weekends)
Admission Cost: Free
The foodies on our team say this is the place to be for fun food adventures in Lampang. It’s a street market, so expect to see scores of roadside stalls and shops selling all kinds of food: local cuisine, snacks, desserts, and drinks.
You can find classic Thai dishes like khao soi noodles, chicken rice, tom yum goong, and more. There are also vendors selling souvenirs and fresh produce, so there’s plenty to choose from.
Just know that Kad Kong Ta Street Market is a night market which means it only opens from 4 p.m. onwards. What’s more, the place is only available on weekends so plan ahead your itinerary before dropping by.
Dip into the hot spring in Chae Son National Park
Media credit: helen_mears
Address: 343, Chae Son, Mueang Pan District, Lampang 52240, Thailand
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 89 851 3355
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Chaesonnationnalpark/
Admission Cost: 200 baht
Dipping into the mineral-rich hot springs of Chae Son National Park is something you definitely must do in Lampang. Within its borders, you’ll find 50-baht private huts with hot baths using the steaming water from the park’s natural hot springs.
Unfortunately, you can’t just dip into the natural hot springs since they’re too hot for humans. In fact, they can boil eggs in only 15 minutes which is a popular delicacy in the park.
Aside from the hot springs, Chase Son National Park is famous for its stunning 6-tier waterfall. This cascade has ponds where you can enjoy swimming and fish-feeding activities, which not only is very much enjoyable but is also calming.
Visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center
Media credit: gariayami
Address: 272 หมู่ 6 Wiang Tan, Hang Chat District, Lampang 52190, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 54 829 333
Website: http://www.thailandelephant.org/
Admission Cost: 500 baht
For animal and nature lovers, the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang is definitely worth visiting. Here, you can learn about the local elephants and do numerous activities like feeding, bathing, and riding.
However, it’s important to note that elephants don’t always want to interact with guests so some activities may not be available during your visit. There’s also an elephant show which is great for visiting families with their kids.
This conservation center also has an elephant hospital (amazing). You can stop by to see how this government-run facility takes care of the local elephants living here and witness how docile the animals are.
Go camping at the Doi Khun Tan National Park
Media credit: zeelightfulsmile
Address: Tha Pla Duk, Mae Tha District, Lamphun 51140, Thailand
Operating Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 81 032 6341
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DoiKhunTanNationalPark/
Admission Cost: 100 baht
If you’re a dedicated hiker and camper, you can’t go to Lampang without spending the night at Doi Khun Tan National Park’s campsite. It’s in the tall mountain borders of Lampang and Lamphun, so expect to see nature trails rich with local flora and fauna.
Plus, it’s the only park in Thailand with an active railway (the longest in Thailand). Aside from that, Doi Khun Tan National Park is also a popular bird watchingr spot with over 170 recorded bird species and counting.
Rental tents and bungalows are available at the campsite at varying costs. Meanwhile, those who bring a tent will only need to pay the 30 baht fee to set up and use the campsite.
