Wiang Kum Kam - Ancient City of Chiang Mai

Per the Chiang Mai website, "By 1296, King Mangrai had chosen a new site for his capital on the higher opposite bank of the Ping River and declared the newly constructed city of Chiang Mai as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. Years of flooding thereafter left Wiang Kum Kam buried metres underground.

In 1984 Thai authorities were alerted to the discovery of a number of ancient tablets found under Wat Chang Kam just 5km south east of the Chiang Mai metropolitan area. Archaeologists quickly moved in and uncovered the remains of the ancient lost city of Wiang Kum Kam.

Over thirty archaeological sites including many ancient temples were found within the ancient rectangular shaped city wall and just beyond. Finds excavated at the Wiang Kum Kam site suggest that there had been a long history of settlement in the area dating back to the Eighth century."

Below are photos of some of the various archaeological diggings in the Wiang Kum Kam.  As there was quite a bit of ground to cover, we hired a horse cart which stopped at the different sites.  To make it even easier for the tourists, the carts trundle along on paved roads.  The cost of hiring the horse cart was 400 Thai Baht or about $12 USD :-)

At the beginning of our excursion.  Kuu Kham temple constructed approximately 1288 AD

One of the horse carts awaiting our patronage

Kacy and Pat at one of the sites

This Buddha was lovingly restored. The head was part of 

the restoration but the rest of the figure is original

For many of the sites, only brickwork remain

James and my Mother by their cart as each one only holds two persons

James at a partially restored site

Another view of the same site as in the previous photo

Pat and James by another site

After the excursion, we rewarded the horses by purchasing bananas for them.  I was tempted to eat some of the bananas myself but I restrained myself.  Teri declined the opportunity to feed the horse directly, something about losing a finger or two in the process was the reason given for not doing so.  :-)