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Wat Phra That Lampang Luang (built no later than the 13th century onward)

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is a remarkable example of a fortress monastery, or wiang. When approaching the site, the first impression the visitor has are of the tall, imposing walls that surround the site. The wat actually saw battle in the early 18th century as a result of an incident between Burmese troops and a local Man of Merit who was killed near here. After the incident, the Burmese troops took up residence in the fortified monastery. A local fighter named Thippachak rose in arms against the Burmese here with 300 men, gaining access to the monastery via a water channel in the rear. The site where he killed the Burmese commander, Tao Maha Yot, can still be seen as the bullet holes remain in the railings.

Apart from the chedi and the main viharn, there are a half dozen other principal structures of note. Among these is Viharn Nam Tam, which is thought to be the oldest surviving wooden religious building in Thailand. The fame of the site, and its preservation throughout the centuries, is largely due to the belief that the historical Buddha visited here about 2,500 years ago and donated a lock of his hair, which is now enshrined in the chedi.