Lumpang
Lumphang is a city of about 800,000 people, some 600 km from Bangkok and 100 km from Chiang Mai. It is situated in the Wang River valley, bordered by the Khuntan Mountains on the west and Pi-Pan-Num Mountain range on the east...
Lamphang has a relatively dry climate compared to nearby provinces. "Winter" starts from the last rains, typically November, and lasts until March. It is usually dry with pleasant sunny days and cool nights. Summer typically starts March until June. The temperature can be as high as 40 degrees C in April. Late afternoon rains are common. Rainy season runs from June until November. Being in a relative rain shadow, Lamphang receives less precipitation than neighboring provinces and rarely suffers from extensive flooding which has plagued Chiang Mai in recent years.
Culture
Lampang, also called "meuang rot ma" in Thai, meaning "Horse Carriage City", is considered by some Thais as the last paradise in Thailand. The city is well-connected by rail, 4-lane highways to both Bangkok and Chiang Mai, it is here that tourists can still find horse-drawn carriages in regular use for transportation. This, together with the relative lack of skyscrapers that have contaminated Chiang Mai's skyline of late, make Lampang an increasingly favored setting for period drama. One account attributes the horse-drawn carriage to the Portuguese, via Macau, although a more likely origin is colonial Burma -- Lampang was an important center of timber industry in the early 20th century and saw an influs of migrants from British-controlled Burma. The horse-drawn carriage is one of the most memorable symbols of Lampang, as reflected in many traditional products.
Landmarks and Tourist Attractions
While Lampang is a major northern city well served by road, rail and air transportation, it is spared from mass tourism, which has altered the character of nearby cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Tourists typically stop by for lunch and visit the more famous attractions such as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and the Elephant Conservation Center and then proceed to points further north. Less well-known tourist attractions in Lampang are thus visited by locals. Among these are the Wang Kaeo waterfall and the Chae Son National Park, a compact yet charming park which combine a natural hot springs with large waterfalls.Many temples in downtown Lampang were built in the Burmese style, originally endowed by the logging tycoons of the late 19th century. Wat Sri Bunrueang and Wat Pa Fang are among the extant examples. Traditional Lanna architecture can be found at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, which is situated at the site of the ancient Lampang City. It is famous for its murals from the 19th century. The city seal features a white rooster in the temple's gate. Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, on the West Bank of the Wang River, is said to have housed the Emerald Buddha between 1436 and 1468. Wat Phra That Chedi Sao (The Temple of Twenty Chedis) is famous for its array of twenty pagodas. Other temples of some renown include Wat Phrathat Jom Ping and Wat Lai Hin both in the Koh Ka district.
Sights
Kaeo Don Tao - it used to be the place where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined (the same statue now installed in Bangkok). Interesting structures include the large Chedi containing the hair of the Lord Buddha, a Burmese-style Mondop, an ancient Viharn and a museum exhibiting ancient relics of the Lanna era.
Wat Si Rong Mueang - a Burmese temple built in 1905 during the time when Lampang was the commercial and forestry centre. Major architectural works include the Viharn made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style.
Wat Pa Fang 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.
Wat Chai Mongkhon - notable is the Kuti (monk's living quarters) which is a white cement building with Burmese-style wooden roof. Inside is housed a bronze Buddha statue of fine workmanship cast in Mandalay, Myanmar.
Wat Chedi Sao Lang cool and shaded by large trees, the temple has twenty 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.
Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae - is situated on a hillside and it affords a clear view of Lampang. Its most outstanding feature is the long stair leading to the chedi enshrining a Holy Relic.
Wat Phra That Sadet - one of Lampang's major sites, it is believed to have been built by Queen Chamthevi some 500 years ago.
Thanon Talat Kao or Thanon Talat Chin or Thanon Khon Doen “Kat Kongta” is a market next to the pier. In the past, it was a prosperous market. The buildings on both sides of the river bank are a combination of European, Chinese and Burmese architectural styles. Thanon Khon Doen, “Kat Kongta” presents a local lifestyle of the Kat Kongta community.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang - a paradigm of temple building of Lanna. The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by walls. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Viharn houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong
Thai Elephants Conservation Centre - It is the only facility in the world devoted to the training of elephants for timber work using these pachyderms as labourers. There are performances and training demonstrations.
Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine - 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. To honour the brave warrior, the people build the shrine which has since become a sacred and revered place of worship.
Tham Pha Thai National Park is located between Mueang Lampang and Ngao districts just off the main highway at km.665-666, some 60 kilometres from the provincial town.
Chae Son National Park which is located in Mueang Pan district area. It features 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.
Namtok Wang Kaeo is Lampang's largest waterfall.
Local Products
Hand-made Cotton , comes in different patterns designed by different villages.
Wood-carving is a major industry at Tambon Na Khrua of Mae Tha district which is about 25 kilometres from the provincial town. Most of the local people make their living by producing wooden figures of animals in various sizes. It has been a cottage industry in this locality for generations.
Terra-cotta or Ceramics, produced in Lampang are of the best quality in Thailand. The indigenous clay, added by the local craftsmanship, has helped to make Lampang the centre of such products, with scores of factories and shops dealing in this beautiful craft.
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