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Lampang, located 100km southeast of Chiang Mai, is one of Thailand’s most attractive provincial capitals, having retained a number of its old wooden buildings. Horse-drawn carriages, the town’s symbol, are still used as taxis rather than the tuk-tuk. Established in the 7th century, Lampang became a prosperous trading centre with a wealth of ornate and well-endowed wats.
The influence of the Burmese is clearly reflected in the architecture of some of the more important wats. Lampang also has a number of interesting secular buildings. The old wooden railway station is a charming point of arrival and departure, while the streets off Boonyawat Road contain a number of traditional Northern-style wooden houses.
Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, housed the Emerald Buddha now in Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok, for 32 years. The ceilings and columns are carved in wood and inlaid with porcelain and enamel. In the compound there is a Burmese-style chapel and a golden chedi. Wat Sri Chum, on Tipowan Road, was constructed 200 years ago and is registered with the Fine Arts Department as a “national treasure”. The monastery is regarded as one of the finest Burmese-style wats in Thailand. The compound has an ambience of peaceful meditation. |
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