From Chiang Mai, we travel to Sukhothai with our new guide Adisorn.
Adisorn guided us throughout Thailand except in Chiang Mai. His joy and joviality are exemplary!
To contact him: adisorntoh6992@hotmail.com
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Located in Lampang province, northern Thailand, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is one of the country’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples. Perched on a hill and surrounded by ancient walls, it stands out for its authentic Lanna architecture, exceptional preservation, and a solemn yet majestic spiritual atmosphere.
One of the Finest Examples of Lanna Style
The temple dates from the 13th century, though it has been modified over the centuries. It is regarded as one of the best-preserved temples of the Lanna kingdom (ancient northern Thailand).
Highlights include:
- A slender golden chedi covered with gilded copper leaves.
- A wooden viharn with a steep roof, supported by sturdy decorated pillars.
- Finely carved stone doors, especially at the main entrance.
- A rustic and authentic ambiance, far from touristy temples.
A Place of Local Devotion
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang remains an active pilgrimage site, especially for northern Thai Buddhists. Tradition holds that it contains a relic of the Buddha, making it a major sacred site.
Away from the crowds, one encounters monks, praying devotees, and schoolchildren, all in a respectful and vibrant atmosphere.
Remarkable Features
- A natural camera obscura in a side pavilion projects an inverted image of the chedi onto a wall, a rare and fascinating phenomenon.
- Ancient mural paintings, subtle but historically valuable.
- Sections built entirely of wood, rare to find so well preserved.
Access
- About fifteen kilometers from Lampang city center, reachable by tuk-tuk or songthaew.
- Visit possible in a half-day trip from Chiang Mai (about 1.5 hours by road).
Conclusion
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is a northern Thai treasure for lovers of ancient temples, Lanna art, and authentic atmospheres. Rarely included in classic tours, it offers an intimate encounter with the country’s religious history.
Wat Doi Ti
We stopped at a magnificent temple about 100 kilometers south of Chiang Mai, near Lamphun city, where stands Wat Doi Ti, built in honor of the monk Kru Ba Sri Wichai.
Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang - วัดพระธาตุลำปางหลวง
Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang is located about twenty kilometers southwest of Lampang city.
Several curiosities deserve mention. First, the temple is bordered by a very old wall dating from the 8th century. Second, at the back of the temple is a small building on top of a promontory housing a Buddha footprint. This sacred building is reserved for men only! Third, inside this room is a white cloth stretched against the wall on which an image of the main chedi is projected through a hole in the wooden door. This optical effect requires the door to be closed!
Entrance and Walls
Phra Chao Lang Thong
The Chedi
Ho Phra Phutthabat
Within the temple enclosure is a small chapel accessible only to men.
Info on Ho Phra Phutthabat
Ho Phra Phutthabat hides a secret: a cloth stretched at its back. When the wooden door is closed, light passes through a hole in the door and projects an inverted image of the Chedi.
