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DAY 1: CHIANG MAI - LAMPANG (99 kms.)
The Thai
Elephant Conservation Centre and Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, the finest
example of a Northern Thai temple, are highlights in a day's drive
that goes south to Lampang, a historical city on the banks of the
Wang River.
H11 is a fast divided highway and the main trunk route to the south.
Many temples can be visited on this tour and you may find it better
to leave a visit to Lamphun for your return. Turn left off H1 to enter
Lampang City.
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 Lampang
was formerly known as Khelang and has been in existence since
before the 14th century. The ruling house of this city fought
for independence from the Burmese in the 18th century and
established an autonomous northern vassal state centred on
Chiang Mai, which was finally incorporated into the Kingdom
of Siam in the late 19th century.
The old wooden trading buildings along the river front have
been well-preserved in the Talat Kao area on the south bank.
The commercial south part of the town can be seen in a tour
by horse and cart starting from in front of the provincial
office.
On
the northern banks remnants of the old city walls enclose
spacious compounds and temples. A large teak house built in
1885 called Ban Sao Nak is open to the public (10:00 - 17:00),
and Burmese style buildings are found at both Wat Phra Kaew
Ton Taew and Wat Pongsanuk Tai. Wat Chum Si and Wat Si Rong
Muang south of the river are also Shan-Burmese in style.
For dining in the evening the river front offers several good
restaurants and pubs; recommended is the Huan Chom Wang (17:00
- 22:30).
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DAY 1: SIDE TRIPS
ST1 The Elephant Conservation Centre
(H11. KM.29.[1 km.])
This is an attempt to counter the threat to the Asian Elephant in Thailand
and includes an elephant hospital. A modest entrance fee is charged for
shows (10 & 11 a.m. every day; 1.30 p.m. weekends only) and rides are offered.
ST2 Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang Via Ko Kha
(KM.20 [27 kms])
Turn left (south) on H1034 to Ko Kha and Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang (12
kms.). Lovely old buildings are found within the fortified compound of what
is considered the finest wooden temple in the region. A pamphlet available
from the Phra Kaew Museum (08:00 - 17:00) in the temple compound to the
south of the walls gives details and recounts the legend of the origin of
the temple. Return by going on to Ko Kha (4 kms.) and then turning left
(east) across the river and continuing straight to Lampang.
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