I have visited Chiang Mai many times, but I have never had the opportunity to visit the various temples. This time, since I am in Chiang Mai for several days, I decided to explore the temples on my own. I had no idea what kind of sightseeing I wanted to do, but in the end, I decided that it would be a good idea to visit some temples and make merit. There are many temples in Chiang Mai to choose from, both modern temples and ancient temples.

Driven by a desire to explore beyond Chiang Mai, I set my sights on Lamphun and Lampang. Waking up early, I decided to offer alms and pay respects at the temple before embarking on my journey from Chiang Mai to Lamphun and then to Lampang.

In Chiang Mai, we started at Wat Chai Mongkol, located by the Ping River. However, as we didn't wake up early enough to offer alms in the morning, we decided to visit a temple and make merit before boarding the train. Ultimately, we chose this temple due to its proximity to Chiang Mai Railway Station.

At the auspicious temple of Chai Mongkol, where offerings of birds, fish, and fish food are customary, we engaged in a meritorious act by releasing a pair of birds, hoping that our lives would take flight and soar beyond the realm of mere flirtation. (After all, beauty must be accompanied by a touch of playfulness!) However, upon their release, the birds, to our surprise, did not venture far. Instead, they perched themselves upon a tree beside a shopfront. Nevertheless, we offered a silent prayer that they would eventually take wing and journey to distant horizons.

After releasing the bird, I went to feed the fish. However, the water was flowing very fast. The first time I threw the fish food, it was very quiet and there were no fish at all. In the end, I poured the whole bag and walked out of the temple to the train station. I was a little disappointed.

At that time in Chiang Mai, it was drizzling. We could only pray that it wouldn't rain in Lamphun and Lampang because we wanted to worship Buddha and make merit. Walking out of the temple, there were no red cars. Well, let's walk. I opened the GPS and walked around in confusion. Oh, I found the Khua Lek Bridge. It's right here. It's not far from the temple. (Actually, I could see it from the temple pier, haha.)

The Iron Bridge is one of the most popular photo spots in Chiang Mai. It was featured in the movie "Close Friends" when Kai Yoi and Dakanada rode a motorcycle back from the Luk Thung Vichit event (it's actually quite far apart, haha). But the atmosphere and mood were perfect. When we went, there were only a few people taking pictures, probably because it was too early in the morning.

After a short walk, I came across the Nawarat Bridge. Looking up, I saw Doi Suthep as the main backdrop, with mist lingering after the rain. I couldn't resist taking out my camera to capture the stunning view. I absolutely loved it.

The distance from Wat Chaimongkol to the train station is quite far, but luckily the weather was not hot. We walked and listened to music, and it didn't take long to arrive. We rushed to exchange tickets for the free 9:30 AM train to Lamphun, just in time.

Heavy rain is falling.

and fell all the way to Lamphun

Excuse me, how do I get to Wat Phra That Hariphunchai?

Officer: There are no cars, you'll need to take a motorbike taxi. It's about 40-50 baht. Wait, I'll look around. Where are the motorbike taxis? Maybe we should wait for the rain to stop so we can go all at once.

After 40 minutes, the rain became heavier. I wanted to cry. T_T Finally, the uncle who had been sitting at the station with me for a long time came over and asked me where I was going and if he could give me a ride. He was a motorcycle taxi driver. Why didn't you tell me sooner, uncle? The rain had stopped earlier. It was around 11:00 am. I could go then. Do you have a raincoat, uncle? Okay, let's go. Take me to Wat Phra That. In the end, the rain got heavier and the road was flooded. I finally told my uncle, "Uncle, please take me to the bus station." So, we went to Lampang.

The unforgivingly wet and cold conditions...

I was lucky to get a hot sticky rice with banana filling at the transportation hub. It was incredibly delicious! The vendor was also very friendly.

We found information on Pantip that going to the pier by queue is cheaper. The blue bus from Lamphang to Ko Kha is a blue bus. When we asked the driver, he said that he wouldn't go to Wat Phra That. We had to rent a car. What should we do? I want to go. Okay, let's go. This is the conversation we had with the uncle driver.

"Uncle, what do you think about going to Phra That Temple?"

Uncle: How much will you give me, kid?"

What should I do? I heard that the fare is 2-300 baht. Let's try to bargain.

Round trip for 200 baht?

Uncle: Wow, only 200 baht? Can I add 50 baht for a round trip?

Sure, uncle. No problem.

The price was incredibly cheap. The kind uncle told us that normally 300 baht would only cover a one-way trip. Haha, I forgot to ask for his number. But he was very kind, waiting for us and giving us all sorts of advice.

It takes about 30 minutes to reach Wat Phra That Lampang Luang from the city center. It's actually quite a distance beyond Ko Kha District. We visited on a weekday, and there weren't many tourists, which was nice.

Recently, I have been traveling to the north of Thailand frequently. During my travels, I have developed a deep appreciation for Lanna art and history. Lanna art is heavily influenced by Burmese art due to the shared border and the historical period when Lanna was a Burmese vassal state. A distinctive feature of Burmese art is the depiction of the Buddha with a round and full face.

Within the grounds of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, there is a phenomenon known as the "inverted shadow of the pagoda" or "shadow of the inverted pagoda." From a scientific perspective, this phenomenon is caused by the refraction of light, similar to a pinhole camera. Unfortunately, women are prohibited from climbing the pagoda to witness this spectacle.

The sky was getting dark and it looked like it was going to rain. I didn't want to get caught in the rain, so I asked my uncle to take me to the hotel. The hotel we chose to stay at this time was not far from Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. It was called "Lampang River Lodge".

The original plan was to go cycling in the ceramic village, but as soon as we checked in, it started to rain. It seems that fate had other plans for us.

Nestled amidst lush greenery, Lampang River Lodge offers a tranquil escape. The secluded villas provide a high degree of privacy, ensuring a peaceful and relaxing stay.

After packing my bags, I fell asleep immediately. Haha! I woke up feeling hungry and realized that I hadn't eaten lunch yet. So, I walked to the dining room to find dinner. I ordered northern Thai food here because I've been wanting to eat it for days. I found that the sai ua and nam prik ong were delicious!

The music here further enhances the experience, immersing us in the local culture. The traditional northern Thai melodies perfectly complement the delicious northern cuisine, making us wish we were dressed in traditional northern Thai attire and enjoying a communal meal.

That night, Phobwa slept soundly, exhausted from his journey. In the morning, the hotel informed him that breakfast would be served at the Sala Rim Wang, which translates to "Pavilion by the River Wang." He was initially confused by the name, wondering what "Rim Wang" meant. Later, he realized that it was the restaurant located next to the Wang River.

After breakfast, we took a stroll to prepare for check-out and continue our journey. This morning, we encountered a flock of guinea fowl strutting around the field in front of the lobby. They were adorable.

This pilgrimage was not meticulously planned. Almost everything was decided on the spot, leading to several moments of surprise and confusion. However, reaching our destinations brought an indescribable sense of happiness. This mission was another success, and we finally got to pay our respects at the revered Phra That Lampang Luang temple.

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