Lampang Private Tour from Chiang Mai: Long Sapao Festival (3D2N)

Long Sapao… Thailand’s Only Floating Ship Tradition, Exclusive to Lampang

"Sapao" originates from the word "Sampan" or "Sailing Ship," representing a vessel that carries away bad luck and sorrows while dedicating merit to departed loved ones. In Lanna belief, it stands as a timeless symbol of letting go and sharing blessings.

In ancient Lampang, a Sapao was touchingly simple—crafted from banana trunks, papaya stems, or native bamboo. It was adorned with local blooms, traditional sticky rice, incense, candles, and small edible offerings prepared with heartfelt devotion. The purpose was not grand beauty, but a pure act of charity to spirits and water deities, asking forgiveness from Goddess Ganga, and letting misfortunes float away with the river’s tide.

Every detail carried profound meaning: cooked rice symbolized abundance, bananas and sugarcane brought sweetness to life, sticky rice dumplings reflected pure spiritual intention, while incense and candles carried prayers for a brighter tomorrow.

Today, the craftsmanship of Sapao has adapted to protect our environment, yet the heart of the tradition remains untouched—releasing misfortune, sharing merit, and honoring the living memory of our city.

The Long Sapao Festival is a priceless cultural heritage passed down through generations. Far more than a mere ritual, it is the quiet pride of Lampang—the Horse Carriage City—which still preserves this legendary floating ship tradition as the only one of its kind in Thailand.

The famous product of Lampang with our highlights including smallest chicken bowl in the world,  Gold painting chicken bowl and thinnest chicken bowl. In addition, you’ll see  demonstration about making chicken bowl both traditional and modern process. and chicken bowl painting. You shouldn’t miss to see oldest dragon kiln in Lampang which used for firing Thai dessert bowl at Dhanabadeesakul Crockery, the first ceramic factory in Thailand where produced Thai dessert bowl. 

The ancient temple long existed with Lampang since Phra Nang Cham Tewi period, compiled with remarkable archaic architecture. Phra That of the year of the ox.

The beginning of your journey in Lampang should begin with Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, the ancient temple long existed with Lampang sincce Phra Nang Cham tewi era. Aside from its ancient architecture, it's also Phra That of the year of the ox due to its construction commence and complete in the year of the ox. The sacred Phra That is the Lotus Marble, the base in Lanna-style circular shape while the exterior are adorned with Chanko gold, decorating in various. This type of Chedi influences both Phra That Haripunchai and Phra That Chom Tong. The chedi enshirnes the hair and ash of Buddha's right forehead and front and back hair. At the golden gate is the bullet scar left by Nan Thip Chang who shot Mahayod.