The Ancient Underground City of Wiang Kum Kam

Tour Code : WSTH02
Tour Time : 08.30-12.00
Price : 1,500 Baht

“The Ancient Underground City of Wiang Kum Kam, Lost in Chiang Mai.”

Wiang Kum Kam, often referred to as the forgotten city, is an ancient town located just south of present-day Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Highlights:

Visit “Wiang Kum Kam, the Ancient Underground City” – The first capital of Lanna.
Explore Wiang Kum Kam: Take a horse and carriage ride about 45 mins. to explore historical temple ruins at Wiang Kum Kam, the Ancient Underground City – the first capital of Lanna.

Overview:

Wiang Kum Kam, often referred to as the forgotten city, is an ancient town located just south of present-day Chiang Mai, Thailand. Established in the 13th century by King Mengrai, Wiang Kum Kam served as a significant riverside trading hub.

The city was originally built as the capital of King Mengrai’s kingdom after severe flooding made his previous settlement uninhabitable. To protect it from similar fates, a moat was dug around all four sides of Wiang Kum Kam, and an extensive royal palace was constructed. The construction of a bustling marketplace followed, attracting many boats and traders to the city.

King Mengrai’s satisfaction with the thriving trade led to the construction of the grand Kuu Kham Temple (Wat Chedi Liam) for public worship. As the city grew, power-seeking expeditions by the king brought peace offerings from neighboring states, including a royal bride and skilled craftsmen such as goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, and ironsmiths. These contributions led to the building of several significant temples as tokens of gratitude for the prosperity that had come to Wiang Kum Kam.

However, over time, the city faced frequent flooding from the Ping River. This recurring problem eventually led to its abandonment and its gradual disappearance from collective memory. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the site was rediscovered, revealing a wealth of historical and archaeological treasures, including temples, pottery, and inscriptions.

Today, Wiang Kum Kam is an important archaeological site and tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Lanna Kingdom and its early urban settlements.

Itineraries:

8:30 AM: Pick up from your hotel in Chiang Mai.
Arrive at Wiang Kum Kam and Explore Wat Changkum, the first temple discovered in Wiang Kum Kam. Admire the pagoda supported by elephant statues and the ruins of the main building.
Visit the Information Center to learn about the history of the ancient city
Take a 45-minute horse and carriage ride to visit other historical temple ruins in Wiang Kum Kam, including Wat E-kang, Wat Ku Pa Dom, Wat Phaya Mengrai, Wat Khao, and Wat Chediliem.
Depart from Wiang Kum Kam and head back to your hotel in Chiang Mai about 12.00-12.30 pm.