16 Things to See and Do in Lampang Thailand
See the River Wang\วัง
The beautiful Wang river flows for a total of 335 kilometers. Flowing from North to South originating in Chiang Rai. Lampang is positioned on the northern bank. After Lampang the river continues until it joins into the Ping River just north of Tak.
Eat Some Street Food
Finding street food in Lampang is concentrated into a few areas: The center of the city, the new markets area, sometimes outside of Big C and probably the best place of all for street food is along the Walking Street Markets
Eat some Cheap Restaurant Food
As Lampang is primarily still a Thai city without many foreigners I found everything to be cheaper here. Restaurants no exception I must have ate at every restaurant along Boonyawat road and every meal was under ฿40 Bhat.
See the Old Architecture
Wondering around the city you can see wooden Burmese style, building from the late-19th century.
Ride a Horse and Cart
Take a walk along the eastern end of Boonyawat road and you will find dozens of horse and cart vendors you will know you are close when you can smell it.
See the Temples
Wat Si Bun Rueang, Wat Si Chum and Wat Pa Fang are among the extant examples. Nine of the 31 remaining Burmese-style temples in Thailand are located in Lampang
Walking Street Market
Starting on the corner of Boonyawat and Suandok (Hotel Kim & Wat Suan Dok)head north along Suandok road until you reach Talad Gao Road then turn right. You know you are in the right place because there are no cars, plenty of people and there are market stalls on both sides of the street.
Boran Iced Coffee
When in Thailand you need to drink Thai coffee. Fortunately Traditional Thai Coffee (Boran) is plentiful and inexpensive in Lampang
Visit a Local Park
There are not many but there are a handful scatters around Lampang. What I noticed most was how peaceful these are. Do not be surprised if you sit down and relax at a park and not see another person for an hour or so.
Go See the Bridge/s
As Lampang is situated along the Wang River naturally there is a need for bridges. Concentrated in the city area there are 5 bridges most famous is the white colored one on Rasada road.
Find the usual Thai Obstructions
You would not be in Thailand if there were no obstructions. Just take a stroll down the road and look out for a small ute packed to the max and leaning over like the tower of Pisa due to the weight. Uneven foot paths, and 3 meter open pit drops. There are rarely any safety sighs in Thailand yet the people seem to get by just fine.
Go to the New Market
Located a 3 minute walk from the city canter & clock tower. The new markets have everything you need in the way of street food, fresh meat, fruit, vegetables and clothes.
Between the period of Christmas and new years the market is also expanded and over flows onto Chatchai road.
Go to the Old Market
Located just North of the Rasda road bridge is this market that is 100’s of years old. Unfortunately I had stumbled upon it at a very quiet time before it had opened.
See the Bus Station
Located just a 5 minute walk from Big C. If you arrive in Lampang via here make sure you check out what other destinations are possible before you rush off to your hotel room
See the Railway Station
A great way to see some of the “real” Thailand, rice fields, mountains, regional villages etc. Is to take the train. There are many options available and all are at a very reasonable price from un-air-conditioned seating cabin to air-conditioned sleepers with beds.
Catch a train to Chiang Mai
Chances are you are in Lampang as a stop over. My first time in Lampang was because I was headed to Chiang Rai but the bus ride would have been to long so I broke it in half with Lampang. I recommend you continue you journey by checking out the beautiful country side with a Thai train trip.
Need a place to stay? I use Agoda for booking my hotels online.
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