There are 2 cities in North Thailand that are unique in its own way. It's definitely not the popular Chiang Mai, but 2 lesser known, yet popular cities among locals - Lampang and Phayao.
Lampang is around 1 hour 30 mins from Chiang Mai. The key attraction is the Temple in the Sky, also know as Chaleom Phra Kiat. It is in fact about 1 hour from Lampang town in the outskirts. Before reaching the car park, one would have to ascend a small mountain road. To reach the peak, one would have to take a 15 mins jeep as part of the entrance fee package to the mid level of the mountain, where the trek begins. For the first 300m, it is a relaxing tarred road walk. After that, the climbing via the stairs begin. It takes around 45 mins to reach the peak, where the temples are located. The view from the top is amazing, bird's eye view of the mountains across and valley at the bottom. It is indeed a worth to climb visit, as the saying goes, the reward is at the top after a huffing and puffing hike.
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| View from 1st platform |
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| Halfway |
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| Up and up |
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| Rewarding view on top |
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| Nostalgic |
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| Key highlight - temples on top |
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| Pagodas in the sky |
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| View from highest temple |
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| How did they build the pagodas? |
Like most of other Thailand towns, there is sure a weekend night market. The night market here is long along the ancient street and crowded. There are many heritage buildings along the old town.
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| Night market in Lampang |
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| Colorful delicacy |
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| Heritage building |
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| Nearly 100 years old |
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| One of the many temples around in town |
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| A Chinese temple in Lampang |
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| Sunset in Lampang |
Phayao is further from Chiang Mai, around 4 hours away. Its iconic landmark is the dragon statue in the Phayao Lake. The statue brightens in the evening with varying colors of red, purple, blue and white illumination. What makes it more captivating is the sunset right behind the statue. Hence, seeing the red egg yolk like sun, setting down slowly as backdrop makes it a photographer's heaven.
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| Can you see the sunset reflection? |
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| Cloud Reflection |
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Perfect Reflection
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| Morning sunshine in Phayao Lake |
There is a weekend night market where food lovers would enjoy the endless choices of delectable food. To me, what attracts me to the market is the open air massage service on the ground with passers by to glance. The message is much cheaper than the open air massage in Chiang Mai.
Exploring the small towns around Thailand is indeed an eye opening experience to how the locals live peacefully.
