Lampang - Temporary Escape from Mad Influencers
Lampang: The Chill City That Bangkok Hipsters Haven’t Found Yet
If Chiang Mai is your trendy cousin who’s into yoga and artisanal coffee, then Lampang is the older sibling who actually has a job, reads books, and doesn’t scream for attention. It’s got temples, horses, no traffic, and most importantly, no monkeys. Honestly, Lampang deserves more love (from genuine travelers, not from annoying influencers doing a TikTok dance in front of a confused horse).
How to Get There
By Train
Slow but scenic. Trains from Chiang Mai or Bangkok roll in at various levels of comfort.
From Chiang Mai: 2.5 hours, 40–250 THB, depending on if you want to sit on a wooden bench or feel like royalty. A great way to experience some scenic views without overdoing it.
From Bangkok: 9–12 hours of self-inflicted eternity, 300–1,000+ THB, including options to sleep in a bunk while listening to the soothing rattle of Thai rail infrastructure. Bring earplugs or Blue Dream edibles.
By Bus
Buses from Chiang Mai are quick, cheap, and surprisingly efficient.
Fare: 100–150 THB, travel time: about 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic and whether your driver believes in brakes.
By Car
It’s an easy 1.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai. Roads are good. Traffic is minimal. Occasionally interrupted by cows. Welcome to Northern Thailand.
Where to Stay
Budget
Guesthouses and hostels from 400–700 THB/night. Expect simple rooms, local vibes, and probably a fan that sounds like a helicopter.
Mid-Range
Boutique hotels with wooden floors, Lanna decor, and maybe even a breakfast buffet if the stars align. Expect to pay 1,000–1,500 THB/night.
Luxury (aka “Do You Even Lampang?”)
You’ll find the occasional riverside resort or business hotel for 2,000 THB/night and up, complete with AC, comfy beds, and zero pretentiousness.
What to See
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Free or donation-based
One of Thailand’s most beautiful wooden temples and a strong contender for “Most Peaceful Place You’ve Ever Been.” Also: no entrance fee (yet), no chaos, no Instagram influencers doing backbends in front of Buddha.
Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao
Entry: Free
Former home of the Emerald Buddha before it got upgraded to Bangkok. Big chedis, chilled-out vibes, and actual monks who will bless you without asking for donations or your TikTok handle.
Lampang Old Town
Wander around and see colonial-era buildings, quiet lanes, local life, and cafes run by people who seem shocked but pleased to see tourists. Zero entrance fee. 100% wholesome.
Lampang Ceramic Museum
Entry: around 100 THB
Because yes, the city is known for its ceramics. Learn about clay. Touch some bowls. Buy a plate so you can nurture its shards back home as it likely won't survive your trip.
What to Do
Ride a Horse Carriage
Yes, it’s the only Thai city that still uses them for fun and not irony.
Short rides: 200–300 THB
Long rides around town: 400–500 THB
Cheesy but charming. Unless you’re morally opposed to horses or are the size of a shire horse yourself, in which case, enjoy watching them from afar while sipping an iced latte.
Check Out the Walking Street Market (Kad Kong Ta)
Only on weekends. Food, crafts, vintage vibes.
Entry: free
Food budget: 100–200 THB for snacks you’ll pretend are “for later” but eat immediately.
Visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center
Entry: 200–300 THB
They take care of retired elephants and let you respectfully watch them not be in pain, which is always a plus. No rides here, just trunked giants living their best lives.
Nightlife (Or Lack Thereof)
Lampang goes to bed early. Like “your aunt with four cats” early. But there are a few places to grab a drink:
Local bars and cafés
Beers: 60–80 THB
Cocktails: 100–150 THB (and usually come with a confused look from the bartender)
Live music is a maybe. Closing times are flexible depending on who’s actually in the bar.
7-Eleven Beer Aisle
Let’s not pretend we’re above it. Grab a Leo or Chang and sit riverside. Zero cover charge. Bring your own mosquito spray.
Excursions
Chae Son National Park
Entry: 200 THB (foreigner tax, naturally)
Hot springs, waterfalls, and the chance to boil eggs in bubbling natural water. Bring a towel, an egg basket, and a healthy sense of skepticism.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn
Try saying that five times fast.
About an hour’s drive away, this mountaintop temple looks like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.
Entry: 100 THB
Transport up the hill: 100 THB by local truck
Instagrammable to the max. Also includes stairs. Lots of them. So if "you's a bunch of f****** elephants," to quote Ray (Colin Farrell) from In Bruges, "you lot ain't going up there."
Final Thoughts
Lampang is like the cool, introverted town that doesn’t need to prove anything. No massive tourist crowds, no monkeys robbing your snacks, just real-deal temples, sleepy streets, and a level of chill that could cure modern anxiety.
It’s perfect for people who like culture but not chaos, ruins without rowdiness, and horses that wear hats. Come for a day, stay for two, and leave wondering why no one talks about this place more.
Just don’t tell everyone. it’s better that way.
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