Gplace > Thailand > Chiang Mai > Sarapee > Wiang Kum Kam

“An ancient city over 700 years old with more than 40 archaeological sites, featuring the distinctive Bagan-style Wat Chedi Liam and an “underground city” atmosphere discovered from flood sediments.”

Wiang Kum Kam is an important ancient city of the Lanna Kingdom, hidden beneath the soil of present-day Chiang Mai. It features a distinctive rectangular city plan, situated along the original Ping River, which was a vital route for communication and trade in the past. Today, it has become a tranquil and enchanting historical tourist destination, with unique archaeological remnants scattered amidst a living community.

According to chronicles, King Mangrai, the first monarch of the Mangrai Dynasty, who inherited power from Hiran Nakorn Ngoenyang of the ancient Yonok Kingdom, began expanding his kingdom from the Mekong River basin, passing through Chiang Rai (established around 1263 AD) and Wiang Fang, before conquering Hariphunchai in 1281 AD. He then selected the Ping River (Mae Raming River) basin area and ordered the construction of a new city in 1286 AD, which later came to be known as “Wiang Kum Kuam” or “Wiang Kum Kam”.

This city was systematically planned with three moats excavated, using the Ping River as a natural moat, and walls constructed on all four sides. It was rectangular in shape, approximately 600 meters wide and 850 meters long. Inside, it served as the center of politics, administration, and trade for early Lanna.

However, due to its lowland location, Wiang Kum Kam was repeatedly flooded during the rainy season, causing many ancient sites to be buried under 1–2 meters of sediment, leading to continuous damage and becoming a key reason for the relocation of the capital.

Later, King Mangrai, together with King Ramkhamhaeng and King Ngam Muang, considered a new location and ordered the construction of a new capital in 1296 AD, which was “Nopburi Sri Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai”. Although Wiang Kum Kam ceased to be the capital, it remained an important religious center and a frontier town of Lanna.

In subsequent eras, Wiang Kum Kam continued to play historical roles, such as the propagation of Buddhism during the reign of King Kue Na, the casting of Buddha images during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, as well as the story of “Khua Chim Kham”, before gradually declining in importance due to wars, Burmese rule, and natural disasters.

It wasn't until 1984 that the Fine Arts Department surveyed and excavated, discovering more than 40 sites (currently over 42 sites), confirming its status as an “ancient city beneath the earth”. Important archaeological sites include Wat Chedi Liam (Wat Ku Kham), Wat Chang Kham, Wat Pu Pia, and Wat Phaya Mangrai.

In terms of art, Wiang Kum Kam is distinguished by Buddhist architecture such as square-based chedis, indented corner chedis, and stucco motifs like Makara devouring Nagas, lions, swans, and high-relief devas, as well as artifacts such as baked clay Buddha amulets and Chinese Ming–Qing ceramics.

It also reflects the way of life of the “Khon Mueang” people who continue to preserve Lanna traditions and culture according to the principles of Mangrai Satra, making Wiang Kum Kam both an archaeological site and a living community simultaneously.

Currently, Wiang Kum Kam is located approximately 5 kilometers from Chiang Mai city center and has been developed into a living historical city that seamlessly blends the past and present.

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