Home Destinations Lampang 🧭 Plan Your Trip 🔎 Search About

Home › Thailand › Lampang › Lampang–Phrae, 3 Days 2 Nights Old Towns & Teak Houses

🛕 Two-City Road Trip

Lampang–Phrae, 3 Days 2 Nights
Old Towns & Teak Houses

Lampang and Phrae sit only about 100 km apart — an hour and a half to two hours by car — so it's easy to string them together into one trip. Both are old Lanna towns that still hold onto their century-old teak houses, hilltop temples, and a slow pace of life. We've put together a 3-day, 2-night plan: day one soaking up Lampang, day two moving over to Phrae, and day three wrapping up with a couple of spots out of town before you head home — complete with timings, routes, and places where people actually eat.

🛕 Lanna Old Towns🪵 Century-Old Teak Houses🚗 Self-Drive Between Provinces

Lampang–Phrae, 3 Days 2 Nights Old Towns & Teak Houses

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This trip works best if you're driving yourself, because the highlights of these two towns are spread out — temples up on hills, teak houses tucked down side streets, and natural spots outside town. Songthaews and horse carriages only run within the town centres, so for the cross-province stretch a private car is by far the easiest. If you're not driving, you can rent a car in Lampang and drop it off in Phrae, or take the Lampang–Phrae van (route 614) and rent a motorbike to get around each town.

Before You Set Off

The Lampang–Phrae drive runs along Highway 11 then Highway 1023, about 100–110 km, roughly 1.5–2 hours. Fill up before leaving town, since petrol stations are sparse along the middle stretch. And if you're going in the cool season (Nov–Feb), the weather is just right — pack a light jacket too.

Day 1 — Lampang, the Horse-Carriage Town with Teak Houses

Day one stays in Lampang the whole day, taking in the old town and the teak houses. Lampang is a town you can genuinely take slowly — light traffic, not many crowds, perfect for easing into.

Day 1

Lampang — Temples, Teak Houses, Old Market

08:00

Start the morning with khao soi or Lampang-style noodlesLampang has plenty of old khao soi and noodle shops around town. Fuel up first, then head out. Breakfast runs around 40–60 THB.

09:30

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Ko Kha districtOne of the most beautiful and best-preserved Lanna teak temples in Thailand, about 18 km out of town. The old wooden main hall has a famous upside-down reflection of the chedi inside the Nam Taem viharn. Free entry.

11:30

Baan Sao Nak, Lampang old townAn antique teak house blending Burmese and Lanna styles, supported by 116 wooden posts. On Ratwattana Road, Wiang Nuea sub-district, open 09:00–17:00, with a small entry fee of a few tens of baht.

12:30

Lunch in the old town, Chinese quarterThe Kad Kong Ta area has old shophouses and cafes set in century-old buildings — eating inside one of these makes for great atmosphere.

14:00

Horse-carriage ride around townLampang is the only town in Thailand that still runs working horse carriages, looping the old town past temples and teak houses. Fares depend on the route, starting around 150–300 THB per ride — agree on it before you climb aboard.

15:30

Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao SuchadaramAn old temple by the Wang River that once housed the Emerald Buddha, with a chedi and Burmese-style viharn to see.

17:30

Walk Kad Kong Ta walking street (Sat–Sun evenings only)A walking market set among old Sino-Portuguese buildings, with food, crafts, and Lampang ceramics. If you're not there on a market day, the old buildings are still lovely to walk in the evening.

Lampang Souvenirs

Lampang is known for ceramics, especially the rooster-pattern bowl that's the town's signature. There are several factories and shops to buy from — a souvenir you'll actually use that says Lampang well.

🎟️

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.

🎟️ Top tours in LampangHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Lampang attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from LampangOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Lampang activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide

🎟️ See all Lampang tours & activities (Klook)

Day 2 — Over to Phrae, the Teak Town and the Lord's Residence

On day two you pack up and leave Lampang mid-morning, driving across to Phrae in about two hours, arriving around midday — just in time to eat and then dive into the old town. Phrae is the real teak town: it was once a centre of the timber trade, so the old nobles' houses here are large and beautifully made.

Day 2

Lampang → Phrae Old Town

09:00

Check out, leave LampangTake Highway 11 then 1023 toward Phrae, about 100–110 km, stopping at rest points along the way as you like.

11:00

Arrive in Phrae, check into your stay, drop your bagsPick a place in the Nai Wiang (old town) area so you can walk easily to the temples and mansions.

12:00

Lunch — northern food, Phrae-stylePhrae has plenty of northern restaurants and cafes in the old town. Standout dishes are khao soi, nam ngiao, and old-style tom yum noodles. Lunch runs around 50–80 THB.

13:30

Khum Chao Luang Mueang Phrae (the Lord's Residence)A nobleman's mansion built in 1892, blending Thai and European gingerbread architecture with fine fretwork along the eaves and as many as 72 doors and windows. Open 09:00–16:30, free entry.

14:30

Wongburi House, the pink houseA teak mansion over 100 years old, painted pink all over and decorated with fine fretwork — the most photogenic wooden house in town. Small entry fee.

15:30

Wat Chom SawanA Tai Yai temple in Burmese style, with the viharn built entirely of teak. On Yantarakitkoson Road, about 1 km from the provincial hall, with gorgeous woodwork and fretwork.

17:00

Stroll the Nai Wiang old town, evening cafePhrae's old town has its old city wall, wooden houses, and laid-back cafes open into the evening — an easy place to sip a coffee and close out the day. Drinks start around 40–60 THB.

Teak House

Baan Prathap Jai (the Hundred-Post House)

An antique teak house built on hundreds of large teak posts, on the Phrae–Long route along Highway 1023 in Pa Maet sub-district. A must-stop for anyone who loves woodwork.

Temples in the Old Town

Wat Pong Sunan · Wat Phra Non

Old temples in Phrae's old town quarter, decorated with stucco and Lanna fretwork, sitting close together — an easy walk on from the Lord's Residence.

Old Town

Phrae Art Gallery · Old City Wall

A spot to learn the town's history and a photo stop at the old city wall — good to drop by while walking around town.

Day 3 — Phra That Cho Hae and Phae Mueang Phi Before Heading Back

The last day picks up the highlights outside Phrae before you head home: the town's main hilltop temple, and Phae Mueang Phi, a strange natural rock formation. Start a little early so the sun isn't harsh and you've got time for an easy drive back.

Day 3

Phrae — Temple, Nature, Wrap-Up

08:00

Breakfast — noodles or coffee, Phrae-styleStart light before heading out of town. Some cafes open early, from around 07:30.

09:00

Wat Phra That Cho Hae, royal templePhrae's sacred guardian temple, the year-of-birth chedi for those born in the Year of the Tiger, in Chiang Saen style with a beautiful golden chedi. Up on a hill about 9 km from town, open 09:00–16:30, free entry.

10:30

Phae Mueang Phi forest parkA formation where soil and sandstone have been eroded into oddly shaped columns and cliffs. About 12 km along Highway 101 (the Phrae–Nan route), then 6 km right at the turn-off. Open 08:30–18:00, free entry, with a walking path around it.

12:00

Farewell lunchFind a northern restaurant or a made-to-order spot before the drive back, and fuel up enough for the long road.

13:30

Buy Phrae souvenirs, then head homeThe popular Phrae souvenir is mo hom cloth (indigo-dyed blue fabric), which you can buy at Ban Thung Hong, the traditional home of mo hom weaving, before you hit the road back.

Fitting It Into Fewer Days

If you only have 2 days and 1 night, trim the first day: see Lampang for the morning, then drive over to sleep in Phrae. After that, combine the day 2–3 plans into a single day — just pick the Lord's Residence, Wongburi House, and Phra That Cho Hae and you'll still catch the highlights.

Good to Know Before You Go

Best season — the cool season, Nov–Feb, with comfortable weather for walking outdoors all day. In the rainy season, watch for the slippery hill road up to Phra That Cho Hae.
Most temples and mansions open 09:00–16:30 — give yourself time to arrive before mid-afternoon to see them comfortably. Many are free; the private teak houses charge a small entry fee.
Dress code — dress modestly at temples and chedis, covering shoulders and knees, as these are sacred places to local people.
Cash — old shops, markets, and many horse-carriage rides take mainly cash, so bring small notes.
Driving between provinces — the Lampang–Phrae road is a good highway but has some hilly bends, so driving in daylight is safer and gives you the views.

Want a well-located Lampang hotel before the trip begins?

See the Top 10 Lampang Hotels →

FAQ

How far apart are Lampang and Phrae, and is the drive long?

About 100–110 km, along Highway 11 then 1023, roughly 1.5–2 hours of driving. The road is in good shape but has some hilly bends, so it's easy to combine both in one trip.

How many days should a Lampang–Phrae trip take?

3 days and 2 nights is just right: day one in Lampang, day two moving to Phrae for the old town and mansions, day three for Phra That Cho Hae and Phae Mueang Phi before heading back. If you're short on time, do 2 days and 1 night by picking only the highlights.

Can I visit both towns without driving myself?

Yes, but it takes more planning. Use the Lampang–Phrae van (route 614) to travel between the towns, then rent a motorbike to get around each one. Horse carriages run only in Lampang town. The easiest option is still having your own car or renting one to drive.

What's the can't-miss teak house in each town?

In Lampang it's Baan Sao Nak with its 116 wooden posts. In Phrae it's the Lord's Residence (Khum Chao Luang), the pink Wongburi House, and Baan Prathap Jai (the Hundred-Post House). All are century-old teak houses that still preserve their original woodwork beautifully.

What are the standout souvenirs from Phrae and Lampang?

Lampang is known for ceramics, especially the rooster-pattern bowl. Phrae is famous for indigo-dyed blue mo hom cloth from Ban Thung Hong. Both are local crafts you'll actually use and that are signatures of their towns.

Copyright & Image Takedown Policy

Thailandaddict is created to review and share travel experiences. Where an image is sourced from elsewhere, we credit the source. If you are the copyright owner and prefer that your image not appear on this site, please contact us and we will gladly remove the image or correct the information.