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Wiang Kum Kam, the ancient city Travel to Chiang Mai Travel to the North History of Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city that Phraya Mangrai (Father Khun Mengrai) ordered to be built in 1829 by digging moats on all 4 sides to release the water of the Ping River to be stored in the moats. Ancient sites that appear in Wiang Kum Kam and nearby areas, from surveys, found that there are 20 places, both ancient ruins and temples with monks living there. Each place is scattered, dating back to around the 21st-22nd Buddhist century. 

 

 

 

Wiang Kum Kam is currently located in the southeast of Chiang Mai city, approximately 3-4 kilometers on the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, in Tha Wang Tan Subdistrict, Saraphi District, and near the eastern bank of the Ping River. To get there, enter via the Nong Hoi police box and go straight until you reach the intersection of the island in the middle of the banana forest, continuing straight until you reach the Chedi Liam police box.

 

 

After the 4th Fine Arts Department in Chiang Mai Province excavated the remains of the city and more ancient sites, they discovered several more temples that were submerged underground, as follows:

 

 

1. Wat KanthomKing Mangrai built this temple in 1833. It consists of a 12-meter wide and 18-meter high pagoda base with four niches in each direction, which have two layers of Buddha statues (the lower level has four seated Buddha statues and the upper level has two standing Buddha statues). The vihara and the pagoda are in the form of a pavilion on a low circumambulation platform. At the base of the vihara, there are Hariphunchai-style clay Buddha images buried all around. In addition, there is another pagoda in the form of a bell-shaped pavilion pagoda. In the area of ​​Wat Kan Thom, there is also a Bodhi tree with seeds brought from Sri Lanka.

 

 

2. Wat Pu Pia It is considered one of the most beautiful temples in Wiang Kum Kam. The layout of the temple and the main pagoda and the pavilion are in relatively complete condition. The ancient site consists of a raised chapel, pagoda, ordination hall, butterfly shrine, and altar, with beautiful stucco decorations on the pagoda.

 

 

3. Wat Ku Kham Originally this temple was called Wat Ku Kham, where the word Ku means pagoda and Kham means gold. King Mangrai ordered its construction in 1831, which is an important antique of the temple, with the main pagoda in the form of a five-tiered pavilion. What makes this temple unique is that it was built by the king, and the pagoda's design shows the influence of the Hariphunchai state. King Mangrai ordered its construction in the early stages of Wiang Kum Kam.

 

 

4. Wat Ikang Most people call it Wat E-Kang or E-Kang because in the past the temple area was a deserted forest and there were many monkeys and gibbons who used the temple ruins as their home. In the local language, gibbons are called "E-Kang". The ancient site consists of a chapel and a pagoda on the same base. The chapel is 20 x 13.50 meters in size and the pagoda is a round bell-shaped structure.

 

 

5. Wat Phra That Khao It is called Wat That Khao because originally the chedi was still plastered white. The ancient site consists of a chapel, a chedi, an ordination hall, and a pavilion. Construction was carried out in two stages: in the first stage, only the chedi, the chapel, and the ordination hall were built, but later they became damaged, so the base of the chedi was expanded. In the second stage, a pavilion was built to house a Buddha image.

 

 

6. Wat Phraya Mangrai It is located near Wat Phra Chao Ong Dam to the southeast. The name Wat Phraya Mangrai is a new name given by the Fine Arts Department. However, there is no evidence of the history of this temple. When considering that it is located closest to Wat Phra Chao Ong Dam, it looks like the same temple. The uniqueness of this temple is the construction of a chapel with no main entrance at the front, but on the left (in the case of facing the front of the temple). In the pagoda, traces of stucco decoration with glass inserts were found.

 

 

7. Wat Hua Nong It is located in Wiang Kum Kam near the northern city wall. Inside, there are large gate arches, a chapel, a pavilion, a temple, and a pagoda. The temple gate arches are decorated with beautiful stucco patterns of unicorns, lions, and swans.

 

 

8. Wat Kumkam It is located in Wiang Kum Kam, on the northern side of Wat Kan Thom. The buildings inside the temple include a chapel with a Mulkanthakuti room and an octagonal pagoda.

 

 

9. Wat Noi It is located to the west of Wat Kan Thom. Before the excavation, there were two earthen mounds. Villagers came to build houses on this ancient site. And there are also traces of excavation for treasure. The ancient site consists of a chapel and a pagoda. The chapel faces northeast with a rectangular plan. There are stairs in the front and one side. The floor of the chapel is paved with bricks. Behind the chapel is a niche for the principal Buddha image made of stucco. The pagoda has a square base measuring 13.35 × 13.35 meters and a height of 1.64 meters. And continuing up to the pagoda is a square measuring 6.20 × 6.20 meters. The pagoda has a large base but a small pagoda.

 

 

10. Wat Mai Song It is located in the southeast corner of Wiang Kum Kam. The area surrounding the temple is rice fields. Before the excavation, it was a rectangular mound with a large tree that the villagers called "Mai Song" (the origin of the temple's name). Originally, the ancient site consisted of an octagonal pagoda and a base of a gate arch with walls.

 

 

11. Wat Ku Khao It is located on the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Nong Hoi Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. The condition around the temple before excavation found a chedi approximately 5 meters high and around which the chedi is a mound of earth. After excavation and dredging the soil that had accumulated, 3 ancient sites were found: a glass wall and a door arch behind the chedi; the main chedi is in Lanna art style with a high, solid chedi on all 4 sides (no niches for the Buddha); the top of the chedi is an octagonal lotus pedestal supporting a bell-shaped body; and a chapel with lotus pedestal corners, an original altar base, and lotus petal patterns.

 

 

12. Wat Ku Pa Dom It is located in the southwest outside Wiang Kum Kam. The name of this temple was given after the owner of the land. The ancient site of the temple is large, consisting of a large base chapel with stairs leading up to the chapel and a railing at the end in the shape of a lone character. As for the chedi, only the base remains, which is surrounded by a glass wall. The glass wall in front of the entrance to the chapel has an arch. This temple is approximately 21st-22nd Buddhist centuries.

 

 

13. Wat Bot It is located on the west side outside Wiang Kum Kam. The ancient site consists of a temple with only the base remaining and a chedi with a square base.

 

 

14. Wat Ku Ai Lan It is a small temple located on the north side of Wiang Kum Kam. It was named after its owner, Ai Lan. The ancient site consists of a viharn facing east, a square-based chedi, an altar, a wall, and an entrance gate on the east side.

 

 

15. Wat Ku Ai Si It is a small temple. The ancient site consists of a chapel and a pagoda, of which only the base and altar remain.

 

 

16. Wat Ku Makluea It is located in Wiang Kum Kam on the east side. The temple was named after the tree that grew on the ancient site. After excavating the soil, it was found that the chedi and the temple were situated on the same base and facing east.

 

 

17. Wat Kulidmai It is located in the southern part of Wiang Kum Kam. The temple is called by the locals because of the Pega tree (a tree that cuts trees) growing on the temple hill. It is an ancient site consisting of a chapel facing east, a chedi behind the chapel with only the base remaining, and an octagonal chedi with a gate arch and a wall.

 

 

18. Wat Ku Chok Pok It is located outside the walls of Wiang Kum Kam in the southeast. The ancient site consists of a temple and a pagoda, of which only the base remains.

 

 

19. Wat Nanchang Named after the owner of the land, the front of the temple is near the Ping River. There is a small archway decorated with stucco. Next to the archway is a walkway and a chapel with a base of the principal Buddha image decorated with stucco. Behind the chapel is a square-based pagoda with two layers. The reliquary chamber is now damaged. Opposite the pagoda is a pavilion. Next to it is the ordination hall.

 

 

20. Wat Sao Hin t is located in Nong Hoi Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. However, at present, there is no evidence in historical records that mentions the story of this temple in the past.

 

 

21. Wat Nong Phueng It is located on the west side of the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Nong Phueng Subdistrict, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province. It was originally a temple in the Wiang Kum Kam-Chiang Mai period, or it may have existed as an original temple since the Hariphunchai period. Evidence of ancient objects in the Lamphun style has been discovered. The important building of this temple is the Reclining Buddha Shrine, which is a reclining Buddha or Buddha statue 38 sok (39 meters) long.

 

 

22. Wat Sribunruang It is located in Nong Hoi Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. It is a temple that has been renovated in a later period. Currently, there are monks residing at this temple.

 

 

23. Wat Khoi Sam Ton It is located in the northeastern part of Wiang Kum Kam district, but the temple's name is based on three Khoi trees growing in the temple area. There is no mention of its origin in historical documents or representatives.

 

 

24. Wat Phan Lao Located in Nong Hoi Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, it was originally an abandoned temple with the original name that the community has passed down. It is expected that it comes from the name of the temple with the word "Phan" in front, which probably means a military rank or a nobleman. Originally, this temple may have been a temple under the patronage of a military officer or a nobleman named "Lao". It was originally located on the side of Tha Wang Tan Road, which is outside Wiang Kum Kam to the north. The ancient site has many bricks scattered around. Pieces of Buddha images and various buildings that cannot be clearly identified are found. It is still expected that there are many more temples that are submerged underground and houses of the villagers are waiting to be restored.

 

 

25. Wat Phra Chao Ong Dam It is located inside Wiang Kum Kam, close to the city walls to the northwest. Before the excavation, it was a longan orchard. There are two earthen mounds in the area, which the locals call the Noen Phaya Mangrai and Noen Phra Chao Dam. It is assumed that the temple is called Wat Phra Chao Dam because it used to have a black Buddha image enshrined in it. Most of the ancient sites found are several temples, with an archway and a wall. Next to the archway is a temple and a pagoda.

 

 

A: Wiang Kum Kam lies southeast of Chiang Mai Old City, in Tha Wang Tan Subdistrict, Saraphi District, close to Chiang Mai–Lamphun Road and the eastern bank of the Ping River. From the city moat area, head toward Nong Hoi, follow Highway 106 (Chiang Mai–Lamphun), then turn into Tha Wang Tan following signs for “Wiang Kum Kam”. Continue about 1–2 km to reach the visitor center and parking area, which is the starting point for tram and horse-carriage tours.

 

A: The archaeological area of Wiang Kum Kam is generally accessible every day, with the most convenient visiting time between 08:00 and 17:00, when trams, horse carriages and local guides are normally available. There is no admission fee for entering the archaeological zone itself, but there are separate charges for tram, horse-carriage and guided tours. Visitors should confirm current prices and schedules at the visitor center.

 

A: A short overview tour usually takes about 1–1.5 hours, while a more in-depth visit to several temple clusters can take 2–3 hours or more. Most visitors choose the tram or horse carriage, which stops at key ruins while a guide explains the history. Those who prefer independence can explore by bicycle or private car using a site map, but should study the route in advance because the ruins are spread throughout local neighborhoods.

 

A: Popular highlights include Wat Chang Kam (Wat Kan Thom), once a central temple of the city; Wat Chedi Liam (Wat Ku Kham), with its Hariphunchai-style stepped chedi; Wat Pu Pia with relatively well-preserved stucco decorations; Wat E-Kang, once buried nearly 2 meters under sediment; Wat Nan Chang, which shows clear evidence of ancient flooding; and the pair of sites Wat Phra Chao Ong Dam and Wat Phaya Mangrai, associated with the city’s founding king. Wat Ku Khao and Wat Nong Phueng nearby also illustrate later stages of community development.

 

A: Yes. Wiang Kum Kam is excellent for family visits because it is an outdoor, open archaeological site where children can see real ruins while listening to stories from local guides. Elderly visitors can comfortably ride the tram or horse carriage without walking long distances. However, some areas have uneven ground and old brickwork, so it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, avoid the hottest midday hours, and bring hats, umbrellas and drinking water.

 

A: Yes. You can take a songthaew or public bus that runs along Chiang Mai–Lamphun Road and get off near Nong Hoi or at the Tha Wang Tan turnoff. From there, hire a local songthaew, motorcycle taxi or taxi/ride-hailing service to the Wiang Kum Kam Visitor Center. Be sure to agree on fares and pick-up arrangements in advance for a smooth return to the city.