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Wat Pong Yang Khok (built at least mid-18th century onward)

Wat Pong Yang Khok is nestled in a rural area to the west of Lampang. Its chief attraction is its old viharn, built in a highly traditional manner with open sides instead of walls. Although known as the Viharn Phra Mae Chao Chamathewi (the Queen Chamathewi Viharn) it is only connected to Queen Chamathewi by legend, as the actual Mon queen lived in the 7th century. According to legend, the monastery was founded by the queen as a result of a journey she undertook from Haripunchai (today's Lamphun) to Lampang. Accompanying her entourage was an elephant carrying a miniature golden umbrella intended for Wat Phra That Lampang Luang (which still stands today a few kilometers away). As the elephant reached the spot where Wat Pong Yang Khok now stands, it droppped to its knees and saluted with its trunk. This was taken as an auspicious omen--a common theme in Lanna myths as elephants have decided the placement of many monasteries, such as Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. If the elephant's behavior weren't enough, the queen also witnessed lightning bolts bursting forth from a nearby anthill during a thundershower. Subsequently, she founded the monastery. Historical records indicate that the viharn seen today was constructed between 1732 and 1759 by Phraya Sulao Reuchai Songkhram, a local ruler, though it is not known if an earlier viharn stood here in honor of Queen Chamathewi.