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Family visit: stop at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

Thailand The North: Mountains and Traditions Lampang

Update

18/03/2026

By Romain

For this day on the road, our destination was Sukhothai, but since Lampang was on the route, we made a short detour to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang before reaching the ancient capital, where we would celebrate Songkran. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang was also undergoing renovations, as usual… It's a temple over 540 years old, originally part of a defensive outpost of the ancient fortified city of Lampang.

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

The main viharn, all made of teak wood, is probably one of the oldest wooden constructions. It has a 45m high chedi as well as a "footprint" of Buddha and 3 small museums (one bringing together Buddhist ceremonial objects and relics, another soberly entitled "house of the Emerald Buddha" contains coins and notes from all periods as well as various objects and as its name indicates an Emerald Buddha (which I assume to be a replica of the famous one) kindly kept behind a gate. Finally, the last one obviously contains Buddhas as well as ceramics and various manuscripts.

The heat is definitely here!

Getting into the shade seems essential.

The main facade and its staircase lined with Nagas.

Just opposite.

For once, Work In Progress.

The walls are laminated to protect them.

Knowing that it is common to see something new, but in use, still covered in its protective plastic, such as car seats, an office chair, furniture like those in our kitchen that I had to remove or even more commonly the plastic on the newly installed light switches, it gives the impression of a temple that they have just unpacked and which would be subject to remaining like that...

There is still work to be done.

Roll of fabric intended to be wrapped around the chedi, one can make a donation and write one's name, thought of the day, prayer or other "dedication".

Here a donation gives you the “right” to sprinkle the chedi with holy water.

To do this, you have to pull on the cord which will raise a small bucket which will be poured out by a temple attendant by pulling on a string attached to the bucket.

Detail on the chedi, in yellow of the writing of the ancient Lanna kingdom.

Come on, everyone, family!

In this small building at the back is a “footprint” of Buddha, forbidden to women… (isn’t that right, Mom!)

From the inside.

Moooooo.

Inside another viharn there is a rather unusual phenomenon, a hole in the wall lets light pass through which is reflected like a "mirror" on a white sheet. If the photo is blurry due to lack of light and tripod, in reality the image is very clear which is more impressive, we can clearly see the chedi located just behind.

It's all dark in here...

This building has had its roof redone.

Dedication on a piece of wood.

And the "pieces of wood" in question are stored at the back where the museums are also located.

Emerald Buddha Museum.

One of the other museums.

At the back of the temple.

Back to the entrance.

Roman

When I discovered Thailand in 2006, I certainly didn't expect to settle down there 2 years later! Since then, I've been based in Bangkok and regularly travel throughout the country (especially in the north!). I share my stories, photos, and tips to help plan your trip to Thailand and other Asian countries. This blog is for anyone who wants to discover the land of smiles, who's looking for a bit of adventure, and those who dream of Asia.

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Roman

When I discovered Thailand in 2006, I certainly didn't expect to settle down there 2 years later! Since then, I've been based in Bangkok and regularly travel throughout the country (especially in the north!). I share my stories, photos, and tips to help plan your trip to Thailand and other Asian countries. This blog is for anyone who wants to discover the land of smiles, who's looking for a bit of adventure, and those who dream of Asia.

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