Lampang
A northern Thai city where horse-drawn carriages still run past Lanna and Burmese-style temples.
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Lampang is a city in northern Thailand and the capital of Lampang province. It is the third largest city in the north and sits in the Wang River valley, about 601 km north of Bangkok and about 101 km southeast of Chiang Mai. It has long worked as a trading and transport hub. The city was once a major center of the Lanna kingdom, though Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai were the main seats of power.
Lampang is known for its horse-drawn carriages, introduced in 1916. They still carry tourists and locals and are a city symbol. The top attraction is Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, which has 19th-century murals and Lanna architecture. Nine of Thailand's 31 remaining Burmese-style temples are in Lampang, and Wat Phra That Chedi Sao, the Temple of Twenty Chedis, is known for its twenty pagodas. Many visitors stop only for lunch and a few main sights before moving on to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. The best months are roughly November to March, when days are dry and pleasant and nights are cool.
Lampang in five
- See Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in the morningThis walled temple south of town is one of northern Thailand's best-preserved Lanna complexes, with a wooden hall and a large chedi. Dress modestly and go early for soft light and fewer groups.
- Ride the horse carriage for the old town onlyLampang is known for its horse carriages, which tour the old quarter. Agree on route and price before you board, and choose short loops unless you want a long ride.
- Visit the Saturday and Sunday walking streetsKad Kong Ta and the old riverside quarter fill with food stalls and crafts on weekend evenings. Check what is open for your night, and stay near the Wang River.
- Check elephant experiences before bookingLampang has elephant centers, and welfare standards differ widely. Choose observation-only visits and avoid rides or shows, or skip them.
- Add it to a Chiang Mai to Sukhothai loopLampang sits on the main northern rail and road line, so a night here splits the trip.Chiang Mai
Things to do in Lampang
See all attractions in Lampang
Need to know
- Airport
- Small Lampang airport; most visitors use Chiang Mai (CNX)
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Bangkok or Chiang Mai; about 2 hours from Chiang Mai
- Getting around
- Songthaews, motorbike taxis, horse carriages and walking
- Best base
- Near the Wang River and old town for food and walks
- Time needed
- 1–2 nights; 3 with the countryside and ceramics
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low17°Cool, clearJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low19°Warm, haze riskFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, haze risk
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh37°Low23°Hot, hazeMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, haze
- AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh37°Low25°Hottest, SongkranAprilClear
Poor
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, Songkran
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh35°Low24°Hot, rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 198 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°RainyJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 209 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 277 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low23°RainyAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- SeptemberRain25 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh30°Low22°RainySeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 343 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Rainy
- OctoberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low22°Rain easingOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 215 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain easing
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Cool, dryNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Cool, clearDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
Average daily high and low in Lampang, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lampang
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 95%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 50%
Lampang
05:39 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°50%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Wed31°23°18%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu32°23°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Fri29°23°80%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat28°23°85%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Sun30°21°27%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 27%.
Updated 01:19 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Chiang Maiabout 1.5–2.5 hours by train or vanThe northern hub for temples, markets and mountain day trips.Read the guide
- Sukhothaiabout 3–4 hours by roadA World Heritage historical park with temples and lakes.Read the guide
- Chiang Raiabout 4 hours by roadThe White Temple and the far north.Read the guide
Before you go to Lampang
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Rules for Lampang, checked
- Check Thai entry rules, including visa exemption and any arrival card, on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.Source
- Remove your shoes before entering temple buildings, and cover your shoulders and knees, including at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang.
- Save the police, ambulance and fire emergency numbers before you travel, and note the Tourist Police contact details.
- Thailand enforces strict drug laws, and carrying even small amounts of controlled drugs can lead to arrest. Do not assume a substance is legal.
Plan around Lampang
Islands, cities and the north beyond Lampang
Read the guideChiang MaiThe northern hub, about two hours away
Read the guideChiang RaiWhite Temple and the far north
Read the guideSukhothaiHistorical park south of Lampang
Read the guideNorthern ThailandThe region overview
Read the guideMae SotBorder town on the western road via Tak
Read the guideBest time to visit ThailandNorthern cool season versus the haze months
Read the guideLampang FAQ
Is Lampang worth visiting?
Yes for a slow, local feel, teak houses and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. If you only have a few days in the north, it works best as a night between Chiang Mai and Sukhothai.
How many days do you need in Lampang?
One or two nights covers the temple, the old town and a weekend market. Add a day if you want ceramics and countryside.
How do you get from Chiang Mai to Lampang?
By train, bus or minivan in roughly two hours. The train is slower but scenic, and buses run frequently.
When is the best time to visit Lampang?
November to January is cool and dry. February to April brings heat and smoke haze, so check air quality before booking.
Are Lampang's horse carriages worth it?
A short ride gives a feel for the old quarter, but longer routes are repetitive. Agree on price and distance first.