Wiang Kum Kam - Ancient Lost City Near Chiang Mai

All throughout mankind’s long history are stories of cities that once showed great promise but had to be abandoned. Such is the story of Wiang Kum Kam, a 12th century city along the river banks of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a popular tourist location in Thailand. Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Suthep, and Chiang Mai Old City are many of the things that you can do in the province; however, you should include a day-trip to Wiang Kum Kam.

The now-abandoned city of Wiang Kum Kam held great potential. In the 12th century, the Lanna Kingdom established the city as their capital. But constant flooding proved to be the undoing of the city, so King Mengrai moved the city’s capital elsewhere. Wiang Kum Kam had just been a city for ten years until it was left to the forces of nature.

To get to Wiang Kum Kam, you can easily take a taxi but you can also choose to ride a tuktuk which will cost you 100 baht or 3 USD on a one-way trip. Negotiate with the tuktuk driver to pick you up after exploring Wiang Kum Kam. Navigating Wiang Kum Kam will also require transportation since exploring it by foot is too difficult. There are information centers available in Wat Chedi Liam and Wat Cham Kam that can book tram and horse carriage tours that can take you around the park. Carriage tours cost 300 baht or at least $10. Open-air tram rides are at 500 baht or $16. Bicycles are also available for 50 baht.

The historical site is open daily from 8PM to 5AM. Once there, there are around 30 excavated sites but here are several attractions that you should not miss. The oldest building in Wiang Kum Kam is the Wat Chedi Liam. The architecture of Wat Chedi Liam is of the Mon Hariphunchai style. The building is composed of five square levels each in diminishing sizes on top of each other. Each level has Buddha images in yellow robes. The second and third levels are adorned with the Naga or serpents from myths and local lore. There are also more recent structures near the Chedi itself like the viharn which was built in the 20th century and the ubosot. A viharn is an assembly hall while an ubosot is an ordination hall. These buildings are decorated with Lanna gold while snakes stand guard of the buildings. The Wat E-Kang is another attraction in the park notable for its well-preserved base with a rounded-chedi. Wat Phra Chao Ong Dam may have been a monastery when it was originally constructed. Here you will see a burned bronze Buddha stature. Other temples include the Wat That Kao, notable for its white chedi, Wat Pu Pia, Wat Nan Chang, and the Wat Chang Kam, another well-preserved site you should not miss. If you take the guided tram rides, you will not miss these structures.

You can cover the park in half a day or one full day. It’s best to enjoy it in your own leisurely pace. History buffs and tourists who would like a quiet stroll should definitely visit what was once a sprawling city.