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Horse Carriage Ride
+ Lampang Temples

Lampang is the only city in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages still carry visitors for real, and it's packed with old temples that northern Thais hold dear. So we paired the two into a relaxed 2-day, 1-night plan: ride a carriage along the Wang River, wander Kad Kong Ta, and pay your respects at the city's key temples both in town and out — without ever rushing.

🐎 City carriage ride🙏 Old temples🏮 Walk Kad Kong Ta
Horse Carriage Ride + Lampang Temples

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Plenty of people arrive in Lampang unsure where to catch a carriage, how much it costs, and how to fit temple visits into the same day. This plan lays everything out as a route. You start in the old town around the Wang River, where the carriages run and the famous temples cluster together, then head out of town to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang on the second day — an easy drive on your own or a quick songthaew charter.

Lampang Horse Carriages — Prices, Pickup, and Routes

Lampang's carriages are run by a carriage association that sets standard fares. These days they split into a short loop (around 20 min) and a long loop (around 40 min), and if you'd rather set your own route there's also an hourly charter. Prices shift a bit with the season and fuel costs, so always confirm the fare with the driver before you climb aboard. As a rule it's in the low hundreds of THB per ride, not per person, and the carriage seats roughly 2–4 people.

  • Short loop — runs through the old town, past Thipchang Road with its old shophouses and the clock tower in the city centre. Good if you're short on time or just want a taste of the experience.
  • Long loop — adds the Kad Kong Ta district (the old riverside Chinese market on the Wang), Lampang train station, and a few more in-town temples. Better value if it's your first visit.
  • Hourly charter — tell the driver which temples or photo spots you want to stop at. The most flexible option, ideal for larger groups or anyone who wants time to take photos.

The main pickup point is in front of the old city hall (open roughly 06:00–16:00), plus the big in-town hotels such as around the Wienglakor Hotel and the Thipchang Hotel, where some stands run until evening. There are also small carriage queues at the tourist sights. If you're staying in the old town you can simply walk over and hop on.

Tips for the carriage ride

Early morning and late afternoon are cooler and far more comfortable than the harsh midday sun — and easier on the horses too. If you want a good shot along the Wang River with Ratsada Bridge, ask the driver to slow down on the bridge; they're happy to pause so you can take the photo.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Lampang trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

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Day 1 — Carriage, Old Town, and In-Town Temples

Day 1

Around Lampang's old town

08:30
Start at Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao SuchadaramAn old temple in the heart of town on the Wang River, once home to the Emerald Buddha — tied to the legend of Lady Suchada finding a jewel inside a melon. The Phra That Don Tao stupa and the Burmese–Lanna wooden viharn are gorgeous. Free entry.
10:00
Take the long-loop carriage around the cityBoard in front of the old city hall or your in-town hotel. The route runs along Thipchang Road, past the clock tower and train station, and skirts the Wang River — about 40 minutes. Confirm the fare before you board.
11:30
Lunch break around Kad Kong TaA district of old riverside buildings on the Wang, with khao soi shops, noodle stalls, and local bites. It's a pleasant stroll past the wooden architecture and gingerbread houses.
13:30
Pay respects at Wat Chedi Sao LangTwenty stupas on a single base — 'sao' means twenty in the northern dialect. There's a golden Buddha image and a small museum. It sits just east of the city; drive yourself or charter a songthaew to get there.
16:00
Rest and check in to your in-town staySave your energy for an evening at Kad Kong Ta. If you're here on a weekend, there's a walking street.
18:00
Walk the Kad Kong Ta walking street (Sat–Sun)Local food, crafts, Lampang ceramics, and old buildings lit up — great for photos. On a weekday you can still wander the streets and find somewhere to eat.

Day 2 — Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and Out-of-Town Temples

On the second day you head out of town to the temple at the heart of Lampang: Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, in Ko Kha district, about 18 km from the city centre — roughly a 25-minute drive. It's the birth-year stupa for those born in the Year of the Ox, and one of the most complete Lanna wooden temples in the north.

Day 2

Out of town, closing the trip with the great stupa

08:00
Set off for Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Ko Kha districtGo early while the crowds are thin, the light is lovely, and it's not yet hot. Drive yourself or charter a songthaew from town.
08:45
Pay respects and see the Lampang Luang wooden viharnAdmire the golden stupa and the open-sided main viharn in the old Lanna style. The highlight is the upside-down reflection of the stupa cast through a hole in the Nam Tam viharn — try to find that spot. Free entry; dress modestly.
10:30
Stop at the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum (on the way back)The birthplace of Lampang's famous rooster bowl. Walk through the old kilns and paint your own bowl — a good spot to pick up souvenirs.
12:00
Lunch in town — try northern foodKhao soi, nam ngiao, or stir-fried kuay teow koei hoi — local dishes that are easy to find in town.
13:30
Option: visit Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat on Doi Phra BatIf you have time and don't mind heights, this temple has white stupas lined along a mountain ridge. You take a local truck up for about 60 THB/person, then climb several hundred steps. The view is well worth it, but it's a fair way from town — set aside half a day.
16:00
Grab souvenirs and head homeRooster bowls, ceramics, and khao taen (crispy rice cakes) are the go-to Lampang souvenirs before you leave.

Rough Budget Per Person

  • Long-loop carriage — low hundreds of THB per ride (split it across the whole carriage, 2–4 people)
  • Temple entry — most temples are free; donate as you wish
  • Out-of-town transport — fuel or a songthaew charter to Lampang Luang, around 300–500 THB per vehicle round trip
  • Local meals — 40–80 THB per meal
  • Ceramic souvenirs — up to you, from tens to hundreds of THB

Pack the right clothes

Many temples ask for modest dress, so bring a shoulder cover and trousers or a knee-length skirt. The hilltop temple involves a stair climb, so comfortable walking shoes are a smart choice.

Who This Trip Suits

Merit-making

Temple-goers seeking good fortune

You get it all in one trip — a birth-year stupa, a legendary old temple, and twenty stupas in one place.

Easygoing

Lovers of slow, charming towns

Ride a carriage to the clip-clop of hooves and stroll the old buildings of Kad Kong Ta. Lampang is a town with no need to rush.

Family

Families or couples

The carriage seats the whole group, the temples are easy walks, and nothing is too tiring — good for bringing older relatives along.

Want more full Lampang plans? Find them all in the city guide.

See the Lampang travel guide →

FAQ

How much do Lampang horse carriages cost, and where do you board?

The standard fares split into a short loop (around 20 min) and a long loop (around 40 min), priced in the low hundreds of THB per ride — not per person — with the carriage seating 2–4 people. There's also an hourly charter. The main pickup points are in front of the old city hall and outside the big in-town hotels. Always confirm the fare with the driver before you board.

Which temples should you visit in Lampang?

In town, go for Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao Suchadaram and Wat Chedi Sao Lang. Out of town, don't miss Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in Ko Kha district — the birth-year stupa for those born in the Year of the Ox. If you have extra time, head up to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat with its white stupas on a mountain ridge.

Can you do the carriage ride and the temples in a single day?

Yes, if you focus on the city. Start the morning with the in-town temples, take the long-loop carriage mid-morning, then add Wat Chedi Sao and an evening at Kad Kong Ta. But if you also want Wat Phra That Lampang Luang out of town, give yourself 2 days and 1 night so you're not rushing.

How do you get to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang?

It's in Ko Kha district, about 18 km from the city centre — roughly a 25-minute drive. Without your own vehicle, you can charter a songthaew from town for around 300–500 THB per vehicle round trip. Go in the morning when crowds are thin and it's cooler.

When is the best time for a carriage ride?

Early morning and late afternoon, when it's cooler and far more comfortable than the harsh midday sun — easier on both riders and horses. The light at these times is also lovely for photos along the Wang River with Ratsada Bridge.

Related

🗺️ Lampang Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Lampang Hotels🙏 Wat Phra That Lampang Luang🐎 Lampang Horse Carriage: Know Before You Ride

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