Lampang isn’t the usual stop for most tourists as it’s not really somewhere you’d think to go - but think again.

Lampang, also known as Nakhon Lampang, is nestled in the heart of northern Thailand about an hour and a half south of Chiang Mai. It oozes rich culture and beautiful landscapes that will give you a real authentic taste of Thai life away from the crowds. It’s also the third largest town in northern Thailand, which means it’s a big area to cover, so here are a few places I’d recommend to definitely check out if you go.

Wat Chalermprakiat

One of Lampang’s best kept secrets is the beautifully majestic Wat Chalermprakiat that sits at the top of Pu Yak mountain.

A word of warning: this trip isn't for the faint-hearted, it's a bit of a climb to the top and it gets extremely humid so bare that in mind if you're thinking of going.

The construction of Wat Chalermprakiat began in 2004 and took 11 years to build, which shows in its impeccable beauty and sear craftsmanship. It was built commemorate King Rama IV of Rattanakosin dynasty's 200th anniversary.

The temple is actually split over three levels where you can see the beautiful white pagodas scattered across the mountain range. To get there you’ll need to either hire a taxi or rent a moped to the ground level of the mountain. The next step is to get inside a jeep (100 baht per person) in order to get to the middle platform where you then need to climb a hefty 800 meters through some forestry to the top - don’t worry it’s worth it!

After you've got over the exhausting trek you encountered by climbing up the mountain, you are greeted with one of the most breathtaking views.

There’s a couple of platforms that allow you to see the different pagodas, as well as various gongs you can chime that echo across the calming range. If you’re not feeling up to the climb, you can visit the pavilion of Guanyin Bodhisattva that showcases a 49-inch Uthong Udomsup Buddha image containing relics of the Lord Buddha lower down.

It’s a truly beautiful and tranquil place to be whilst taking in the full view of Lampang’s landscape. The remarkable thing about being up so high in this majestic Buddhist temple is that it brings a lot calm and peace that you can’t help but feel something from.

Location: Wichet Nakhon, Chat Hom District, Lampang 52240

How to get there: Hire a taxi, rental car or a moped from Lampang - it’s about 40 miles north of Lampang

Chae Son National Park

If you're after a day out full of natural beauty and adventure, then head to Chae Son National Park.

The park ranges from the dense jungle with beautiful hanging bamboo branches to gushing waterfalls, natural hot springs, caves and a wide variety of plants and creatures. This also means there’s a wide variety of massive spiders and other creepy crawlies - so you have to be careful where you stand or you'll have something very unwelcoming on your face.

Upon arrival, you’re greeted with the steam and smell of sulfur from the amazing natural springs. There are nine boreholes in total that contain water that can reach around 73 degrees - so be careful of those fingers!

If you’re feeling a bit peckish, then you can cook your own egg in the hot spring - no seriously, you can! Simply buy a basket of eggs from the cafe near the springs, place them in the designated borehole, go for a trek around the park, and then come back to a boiled egg to snack on!

Afterward, you can take a refreshing dip in one of the boreholes with your boiled egg.

There’s a range of different treks around the park you can take, with some longer than others. We walked up the river to see the many waterfalls, such as the most famous six-tiered Chae Son Waterfall. The roaring of the water gradually increases as you walk along the jungle-ridden path to the buzzing tune of the wildlife. It’s a truly beautiful sight.

If you’re feeling like a bit of a Tomb Raider, then why not explore some of the park's caves, such as Pha-Ngam, Mor, Luang and Loug Kae. I didn’t have time to explore them myself and I’m not the biggest fan of convened spaces, but if that’s your thing then be sure to check it out.

I’d highly recommend Chae Son National Park to experience some of the finest natural beauty northern Thailand has to offer.

Entry fee: 200 baht for foreigners

Location: Chae Son, Mueang Pan District, Lampang 52240

Getting there: taxi, rental car or moped from Lampang center - also some hostels or hotels do day trips here

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

In the backstreets of nowhere, it seemed, suddenly Wat Phra That appears in all its glory.

Located in the Ko Kah district, about 15km South West of Lampang, Wat Phra That is one of the very few authentic and original temples you’ll see in Thailand.

You’ll first see a collection of horse-drawn carriages outside its walls. You can actually hire one of these and be taken around the temple and the local area if you wish. It costs around 150-200 Thai Baht per person.

As you walk up the stairs to the entrance of the temple, you can’t help but feel intimated by its grandeur. Even more so when you approach the gateway into the temple where you’re greeted by two impressive guardian lions.

Directly in front, you'll see the vibrant colors of the biggest building that houses a giant golden Buddha. The fortress-like the temple is one of the oldest and most highly reserved temples in Thailand. Legend has it that Buddha himself came here and donated one of his hairs, which is now enshrined in the temple’s large chedi.

It also has a lot to it, with a number of large buildings, including the oldest surviving wooden viharn in Thailand, and a little museum that houses old Buddha shrines.

The temple is rustic as it hasn’t been renovated with modern materials like the rest of the temples you see around Thailand. It’s one of the few remaining original Lanna and Thai Lü style architecture you can see in the whole country.

Entry fee: Free (donations are welcome)

Location: 271 Lampang Luang, Ko Kha District, Lampang, 52130

Getting there: private taxi or hire a moped from Lampang town center