Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

About 20 kilometers from Lampang is the old temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. On first glance, this walled citadel sited on a man-made mound of earth has a very fortress-like look to it. That's because the temple was built on the site of an eighth century fortification, called a wiang, that guarded the routes to Lampang.

The Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is a fortified temple or wiang; it was built on top of an earth mound and is surrounded by high brick walls. In the early 18th century when Lampang was occupied by the Burmese, the invaders occupied the temple. It was later freed by a group of 300 local people led by a man named Thippachak, whose statue can be seen on the temple grounds.

The highly revered Phra Kaew Don Tao Buddha image cast in the 16th century is enshrined in this temple, after it was brought here from nearby Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao temple. To get a good overview of the fortified temple complex atop the mound, hire a horse drawn carriage to take you around the temple.

The Viharn Luang

The Viharn Luang, a large building with a three tiered roof was built during the second half of the 15th century. It is open on all sides, which is characteristic of the early Lanna style. The structure is supported by a large number of huge concrete pillars, that have replaced the original teak wood ones. The wooden gable of the front façade is decorated with a Thewada figures, under which are images of water bowls and monk’s fans.

Inside the Viharn Luang pillars decorated with lai kham, gold patterns on black lacquer, support the roof. A very elaborate large golden ku, a structure where important Buddha images are enshrined, is found in the center of the viharn.

The viharn’s walls contain beautiful murals depicting the Jataka tales, the stories about the previous lives of the Buddha.

The chedi

The chedi or stupa is likely the oldest structure of the temple. Although it is not known exactly when it was built, it was enlarge and rebuilt in 1449. It was enlarged again at the end of the 15th century to its current height of about 45 meters. The chedi is covered with bronze and copper sheets that have weathered over the centuries    and changed its color. The structure enshrines a hair relic of the Buddha, that was donated by the Buddha when he visited the site some 2,500 years ago. The chedi is not open to the public.
The Viharn Nam Tam, Viharn Phra Sao Sila & Viharn Ton Kaeo
The Viharn Nam Tam was built at the start of the 16th century. It is believed to be the oldest wooden temple building in Thailand that is still in its original state.