The only city in Thailand where you can travel by horse-drawn carriage — a must-visit Burmese-style gem in Lampang

Text & Photos /Travel Chat

Lampang Province in Thailand is located about 100 kilometers southeast of Chiang Mai and takes around two hours to reach by train. One reason travelers insist on visiting Lampang during a trip to Chiang Mai is none other than to ride the “Lampang horse carriage.” You might ask, “What’s so special about a horse carriage?” In Lampang, these carriages are genuine modes of transportation and this is the only city in Thailand that uses horse-drawn carriages as everyday transport.

Arriving in Lampang by train from Chiang Mai, you’ll immediately notice how much more laid-back and tranquil the city feels. Unlike Chiang Mai, which is bustling with fair-haired Western tourists, Lampang’s streets seem almost free of visitors — it felt at times as though our group of four were the only travelers around. The architecture here is vibrantly colorful, quite different from Chiang Mai’s classic old-world charm. Having been under Burmese rule for 218 years, many buildings in Lampang still carry distinct Burmese influences.











Lampang is also known as the “City of Roosters.” The rooster is their proudest symbol, and legend has it that in ancient times, the Buddha visited Lampang early in the morning when the whole town was still asleep. The god Brahma, in the form of a rooster, woke the residents. Since then, the rooster has become the iconic animal of Lampang.

“Clip-clop, clip-clop…” On the streets of Lampang, the sound of horse hooves is the most prominent — a crisp clatter weaving through the city, mixing with the whoosh of passing motorbikes and cars, creating a slightly surreal contrast. A ride costs 300 Thai baht. My friend and I hopped onto a white horse-drawn carriage, driven by a man wearing a cowboy hat. As the scenery slowly passed by, for a moment I felt as if I had stepped into a Western country. The gentle breeze brushing against my face brought an indescribable sense of leisure and comfort. If you ever get the chance to visit northern Thailand, don’t miss the “Lampang horse carriage” — it’s sure to leave you with unforgettable travel memories.