Wat Pong Sanuk Nua in the city is built on a mound lined with brick surrounded with a white wall. Inside there is a square shaped ornate viharn, a bell shaped chedi and reclining Buddha image. The present temple is 500-years-old with buildings in a mix of Lanna, Burmese and Chinese architectural and decorative style similar to Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang. A two-year historically informed restoration project of the viharn (Viharn Phra Chao Pun Ong) was given an Award of Merit in 2008 by UNESCO.

The original temple was built during the reign of King Anantayot in 680 AD, the same period that Lampang was settled. The temple was also the place where the city's first sacred pillar was laid. The name of the temple according to legend comes from the Pong Sanuk community that migrated to live in this area. Literally, Pong Sanuk in Thai means “the clan of fun”.