Who is the most popular 'travel star' in Thailand right now?

Thailand has always attracted travelers with its vibrant nightlife in Bangkok, the full moon parties on Koh Phangan island, and the enchanting pedestrian streets of Pattaya.

The Land of Temples is also a magnet for crowds with its healing tourism style and the expansive scenery of mountain destinations like Chiang Mai or Pai.

However, few people know that in northern Thailand there is also a charming riverside city with a population of around 90,000 - Lampang.

What is special about Lampang?

Nestled in the Wang River valley, just an hour's drive from Chiang Mai, Lampang boasts a unique blend of ancient charm, pleasant climate, and relaxed pace of life.

This area is well-preserved for its historical architecture and squares dating back to the days when Lampang was the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom. Centuries-old wooden temples and teak villas from the late 1800s to early 1900s still stand.

Along the Wang River, the streets in the Kat Kong Ta area resemble an open-air museum, featuring a series of Chinese-style commercial townhouses and distinctive European gingerbread-style buildings.

The charm of Lampang doesn't lie in the entertainment and tourist attractions built for visitors, but rather in the simple, inherent qualities of the city.

The commercial townhouses have evolved into shops and cafes. The ceramics shops are ideal for shopping for gifts.

Even horse-drawn carriages—the primary mode of transportation for tourists today—were originally the main means of transport for train passengers after the station opened in 1916.

What impresses tourists

Shared in the newspaperNew York Times,Patrick Scott recounts his journey to Lampang with his wife on a four-car train. The train departed from Chiang Mai for less than $1 per passenger. The 2.5-hour journey passed through a forested valley nestled within the city.

In Lampang, you can find dozens of guesthouses and hotels for under $50 per night.

"We were lucky to get a spacious room at Kanecha's Home – a centrally located guesthouse with views of the Wang River and the Ratsada Phisek Bridge," Patrick Scott shared.

He and his wife cycled along a quiet road beside the river, where the silver spires of a temple were reflected. They found a delicious version of Khao Soi, a signature dish of Northern Thailand, at the roadside eatery Jay Jay Chan. The total bill was 120 baht (approximately $3.40 USD).

After their meal, Patrick Scott and his wife strolled around the city, walking through a tree-lined square and past a multi-tiered temple with three tall teak pillars adorned with colorful ribbons by locals in hopes of a good start to 2024.

"When we stopped at a flower stall on the sidewalk, a man named Reangprakaiy Decha (39 years old) nodded in greeting. Reangprakaiy shared that his family had been selling flowers for locals and tourists to offer to the temple for 50 years," Patrick Scott recalled.

Explaining why the city is so unusually peaceful and friendly, Reangprakaiy revealed that it is related to the pervasive influence of the Buddha statue in the area.

"We have always believed that the invisible power of this Buddha statue has spread, protecting the people of Thailand and bringing them peace and happiness," Reangprakaiy said.

Images of roosters are everywhere.

Another interesting fact about this land is that Lampang is also the birthplace of rooster-patterned bowls, commonly found in upscale or casual restaurants in Thailand, or used in family meals.

Wandering through the streets of downtown Lampang, you can spot roosters everywhere, from potted plants and lampposts along the roadside to manhole covers and traffic circles...

Here, you have the opportunity to visit several pottery workshops and witness the production process of these famous bowls.

To explain the appearance of roosters everywhere in the city, the Thais tell the story of Buddha coming to the town and the god Indra disguising himself as a rooster to beg for alms.

Meanwhile, another explanation can be found at Dhanabadee Ceramic – a local history museum in Thailand, which is believed to be the original source of the rooster-shaped bowls popular in Lampang.

According to the local guide, in the 1950s, the factory's founder, who came from China, discovered that the local white kaolin mineral was ideal for pottery. He opened the factory and, taking inspiration from a motif popular in China for centuries, hand-painted chickens on cups and bowls.

Lampang chicken-shaped bowls quickly spread throughout Thailand over the decades. There are now numerous workshops and factories producing chicken-shaped dinnerware and other ceramic products.

These temples fascinate tourists.

Like other major cities in Thailand, Lampang has many temples. However, the temples here feature ancient Burmese architecture, a prime example being the famous Buddhist temple Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, located on the outskirts of the city, 20 km from the city center.

This building is believed to be one of the oldest teak wood buildings in Thailand.

The temple is situated high up amidst peaceful and picturesque hills and mountains. The highlight of the temple is the large, gold-plated pagoda located in the center.

Surrounding the large pagoda are numerous small Buddha statues arranged on all four sides, and beneath the soaring curved tiled roofs are rows of bronze bells that occasionally chime with a gentle breeze.

A mysterious string is threaded from the top of the 14-story stone pagoda with a golden spire down to the courtyard, with strings of flowers, bells, Thai flags, and orange fabric attached to the bottom. These offerings will be carried up on the first weekend evening of the new year, symbolizing prayers for Buddha's protection and wishes for a good life.

Another must-see attraction in Lampang is Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat, the "temple in the sky."

There are about 20 stupas perched on the rocky mountaintops here. Some are three-tiered golden cones, others are shaped like round white bells.

Each temple has gongs or bells, which visitors can ring to create a resounding sound along with their prayers, blending with the birdsong and the gentle breeze high above.

The scenery and energy of this place are tranquil, gentle, and somewhat mysterious, making many visitors reluctant to leave.

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