Wiang Lo Ancient Town
Wiang Lo Ancient Town
5
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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What people are saying
Perfectly splendid village trip.
Dec 2021
Amazing experience ! With 45 minute driving from Phayao lake, we finally reached the place and began many activities we have already booked. After exchanged the first greetings with local guides, we visited a small museum that collect many ancient artifacts, palm leave manuscripts in ancient language, and prehistoric burial excavating from the surrounding region. Our local guides explained that the region was once the ample city named "Wiang Lor" dating back about 900 years. Then, they led us to the spiritual anchor of the community "Wat Si Ping Muang", Lanna style temple that is a restoration of the old one in 900 years ago. Inside the hall of the temple, there are 3 Buddha statues sit next to each other in ascending size (and a lot of ancient Buddha statues, both complete and defective, scattering around the temple area). There are nice models of 2 greenish Nagas in front of the temple and another two at the back with their tails are at the river. Later, we wandered around the place, got some fresh air, enjoyed a wonderful view of Ing river with mountainous background, and worshipped monument of Phaya Lor (the former king of ancient Wiang Lor) and Lanna-Sukhothai style ancient stupa contemporary with Phaya Lor. The next activity was 1.5 hour sidecar motorcycle riding (300 bath/car with a driver guide and 2 little bottles of water ; each can carry 2 passengers) through the field to explore many historic sites. We drove across the suspension bridge to the other side of the river. At that moment, we felt like the bridge is the gate to the other realm because the other side was a tranquil landscape with a breathtaking rural view of vast greenish field and mountainous background and of course, ancient ruins. Luckily that the weather was perfect in that day (about 20 to 22 degrees Celsius after the morning rain), so we could stroll around and take many photos happily in extremely relaxing ambience. Subsequently, we had a fun workshop (100 baht) with the young generation of the community at "Peng Lueng cafe & learning space". We kneaded the dough and baked a hawaiian pizza in a firewood oven which was made of clay bricks from the ancient ruins (then ate it). We also talked to some lads/lasses about the future direction of the community. After chilled out in the cafe for a long while, we walked into a local school to see many kids enjoyed their sports day. Finally, we had lunch at a local restaurant near the bridge. Every dishes were made from fish caught from Ing river, whether it be wallago catfish larb (absolutely awesome ; best fish larb I've ever tasted !!), stir fried redtail catfish with Thai herbs (so...o tasty), boiled redtail catfish with Thai seafood dipping sauce (very fresh and best quality), and deep fried sun-dried fish (too salty ; I don't like this one). Many thanks to every staffs for provided us a wonderful 4 hour unforgettable moment. If I can rate more than 5 stars, I will certainly do it. Don't miss with any reasons. Definitely recommend ! P.S. Booking activities before visit.

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Jeep
1,104 contributions
Dec 2021
Amazing experience !

With 45 minute driving from Phayao lake, we finally reached the place and began many activities we have already booked. After exchanged the first greetings with local guides, we visited a small museum that collect many ancient artifacts, palm leave manuscripts in ancient language, and prehistoric burial excavating from the surrounding region. Our local guides explained that the region was once the ample city named "Wiang Lor" dating back about 900 years. Then, they led us to the spiritual anchor of the community "Wat Si Ping Muang", Lanna style temple that is a restoration of the old one in 900 years ago. Inside the hall of the temple, there are 3 Buddha statues sit next to each other in ascending size (and a lot of ancient Buddha statues, both complete and defective, scattering around the temple area). There are nice models of 2 greenish Nagas in front of the temple and another two at the back with their tails are at the river. Later, we wandered around the place, got some fresh air, enjoyed a wonderful view of Ing river with mountainous background, and worshipped monument of Phaya Lor (the former king of ancient Wiang Lor) and Lanna-Sukhothai style ancient stupa contemporary with Phaya Lor.

The next activity was 1.5 hour sidecar motorcycle riding (300 bath/car with a driver guide and 2 little bottles of water ; each can carry 2 passengers) through the field to explore many historic sites. We drove across the suspension bridge to the other side of the river. At that moment, we felt like the bridge is the gate to the other realm because
the other side was a tranquil landscape with a breathtaking rural view of vast greenish field and mountainous background and of course, ancient ruins. Luckily that the weather was perfect in that day (about 20 to 22 degrees Celsius after the morning rain), so we could stroll around and take many photos happily in extremely relaxing ambience.

Subsequently, we had a fun workshop (100 baht) with the young generation of the community at "Peng Lueng cafe & learning space". We kneaded the dough and baked a hawaiian pizza in a firewood oven which was made of clay bricks from the ancient ruins (then ate it). We also talked to some lads/lasses about the future direction of the community.

After chilled out in the cafe for a long while, we walked into a local school to see many kids enjoyed their sports day. Finally, we had lunch at a local restaurant near the bridge. Every dishes were made from fish caught from Ing river, whether it be wallago catfish larb (absolutely awesome ; best fish larb I've ever tasted !!), stir fried redtail catfish with Thai herbs (so...o tasty), boiled redtail catfish with Thai seafood dipping sauce (very fresh and best quality), and deep fried sun-dried fish (too salty ; I don't like this one).

Many thanks to every staffs for provided us a wonderful 4 hour unforgettable moment. If I can rate more than 5 stars, I will certainly do it. Don't miss with any reasons. Definitely recommend !

P.S. Booking activities before visit.
Written July 13, 2022
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Wiang Lo Ancient Town - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)