Wiang Kum Kam the Forgotten Royal City
If you are interested to study the history of Chiang Mai, you might want to Wiang Kum Kam.
Pre-dating Chiang Mai, Wiang Kum Kam served as the first Lanna capital for 10 years from 1286. After flooding largely buried Wiang Kumkam under mud and silt, the town was abandoned more than 200 years ago. April, 1296, King had constructed a new capital on the opposite bank of the Ping River, which he named Chiang Mai. Translating to “new city” Chiang = City, Mai = New, Chiang Mai was built on higher ground and used a large pond to receive the excess of flood water.
Wiang Kum Kam was originally established by the Mon as a satellite town for the Hariphunchai kingdom and its capital in Lamphun. It later was adopted by the Lanna king Phaya Mengrai. Over 1300 inscribed stone slabs, bricks, bells and chedi have been excavated at the site. The most important archaeological discovery has been a four-piece inscribed stone slab, now on display in the Chiang Mai National Museum. The early 11th-century inscriptions on this slab indicate that the Thai script predates King Ramkhamhaeng’s famous Sukhothai inscription (introduced in 1293) by 100 or more years.
For more information, transportation and a map please contact Wiang Kumkam Information Centre any day at 053-321-523, 053-283-981, 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The best way to start the trip is to visit Wiang Kum Kam Information Centre where you can get a history and clear picture of Wiang Kumkam in former times. The centre is divided into several rooms to exhibit Wiang Kumkam, including a multimedia room and other rooms featuring the historical development and significance of Wiang Kumkam in various aspects, such as geography, strategic importance, development of architecture and ways of life of the people.
Today the excavated ruins cover 3 sq km. The actual ruins have more historical importance than spectacle, but the horse-drawn carriages for visitors and the bucolic setting add to the ancient ambience. Because the whole area of Wiang Kum Kam is too big to walk around so to get around the place conveniently, buying a Chiang Mai tour package may be the best option as it includes transport (an open-air tram for a group, or a horse carriage for 2-4 persons) and a well-trained volunteer guide who knows the history of the site. Tours are organized by the local community and the rates are fixed and reasonable. If you don’t want to buy a package tour, another good way to explore is by bicycle, which can be rented at Wiang Kumkam Information Center; horse carriages which offer a nice way to explore the area can be rented at this site too.
How to Getting there
Wiang Kum Kam is situated in The Wang Tan, Sarapee District, outside Chiang Mai city. It is about 5km southeast of town off Chiang Mai-Lamphun (Route 106).
- By car, taxi or tuk tuk : The best way to travel to Wiang Kumkam is by taking either a shuttle bus tour or private transport from Chiang Mai city which is only about 20 minutes away.
- By renting the mountain bike or Motorbike.
- By making Private tour from Chiang Mai to Wiang Kum Kam
- By boat : Half-day Tour cruise to Wiang Kum Kam which included pick-up from central Chiang Mai and taken to the Ping River for the gentle boat cruise south to the ancient city.
Nearby Places
Royal Flora Garden, or formal name ‘Royal Flora Rajaphruek’, is an enormous botanical garden located in Royal Agricultural Research Center. If you still remember, this is where the event ‘The International Horticultural Exposition: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek’ was held in the year 2011.
Chiangmai Night Safari is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, due to its beautiful appearance and natural surrounding , which can help people with their stress-relaxing.
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