Wat Phra That Lampang Luang: The fortified monastery up North

01 The TripPacker's Review

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang: The fortified monastery up North

About 20 kilometers from Lampang is the old temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. You’ll be taken aback by the imposing walls that surround it from the moment you reach the temple. This walled monastery was built on a man-made mound of earth similar to Wat Pong Sanuk, only bigger. The temple has a very fortress-like look to it because it was built on the site of an eighth century fortification, called a wiang, which guarded the routes to Lampang.

In the early 18th century, the Burmese troops took over the temple and used it as a camp. The temple remained to the Burmese until a local fighter named Thippachak rose in arms against them with 300 men and killed the Burmese commander, Tao Maha Yot. The Thai fighters infiltrated the monastery via a water channel in the rear. Bullet holes from the battle can still be seen on the railings.

The temple buildings seen today were built in the fifteenth century. Unlike most temples in Thailand, which have been renovated or designed to conform to a more modern look of how a Thai temple should be, Wat Phra That’s popularity comes from the fact that most of the temple buildings have remained in its original state. The courtyard is still filled with sand, and the huge main viharn (prayer hall) is still open on all sides.

To gain entrance inside the temple, you must first pass a pair of guardian lions and climb the naga serpent stairway up to the massive main gate. The first building you’ll come across once inside is the Viharn Luang. The viharn is open on all four sides, with columns finished in black lacquer and stenciled with gold leaf designs. A massive gilded ku, a sort of pedestal that surrounds the Buddha image, sits inside the Viharn Luang. The Buddha image is known as Phra Chao Lang Thong, cast in 1563. On either side of the Ku are throne-like pulpits used for ceremonial purposes.

Behind the main prayer hall stands a 45 meter tall chedi. The chedi was faced with copper and bronze sheets, but time has turned the sheets into a variety of brown, blue, and green shades. Nearby the chedi are a couple other small chapels. Although very weathered, both have some rather interesting details and murals. The amazing feature inside one of the small chapels, known as Soom Phra Baht, is the upside-down reflection of the chedi and main prayer hall that occurs due to sunlight passing through a small hole inside. Also inside is a statue of the Buddha's footprint. Unfortunately, women are never allowed inside this chapel.

Also on the compound are the temple’s museums. You will find Phra Kaeo Don Tao, a supposed 'copy' of the Emerald Buddha, and a 400 year old scripture library. Along the way, you'll pass an ancient bodhi tree whose branches are supported by a forest of crutches. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is definitely one of the temples that make Lampang reputable. The designs and patterns that you’ll get to see inside and outside of the temple’s buildings are truly beautiful and worth seeing on your visit to Lampang. 

02 General Info + How to go

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang: The fortified monastery up North

How To Get There

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is about 20 kilometers from Lampang town. Drive on Lampang-Thoen road until the 586th kilometer road marker. You should pass Koh Ka Hospital on your left and the district office (municipal office) to your right before coming up on a T-junction. Turn right at the junction and continue for another 3 kilometers. The temple is to your left.

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