Lampang (Thailand)

Lampang is mainly known for the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, and this was my main reason for visiting there. The temple is located on the outskirts of the old town. Its architectural style is pure Lanna, whereas the town's other temples are more Burmese in style. Something else that remains from the Burmese influence, and what gives Lampang its particular character, are the horse-drawn carts. These are mainly used to transport tourists and lend Lampang an air of a town from another time.

Other notable temples to be found here are the Wat Hai Lin, the Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, which once apparently contained the famous jade Buddha (today in Bangkok), and the Wat Phra That Chedi Sao, with its 20 pagodas. For those visiting as a family, I recommend a trip to the National Elephant Institute: it's a good place to get up close to these animals, and there are even six white elephants belonging to the royal family to be found there (out of a total of ten).