Wiang Kum Kam

A beautiful and impressive complex in the heart of the ancient area of ​​Chiang Mai. The rural environment near the city creates a special atmosphere. A real experience.

If you’re looking for something interesting to do in Chiang Mai besides shopping, eating, etc. this makes for a great morning out. I was driving and so was able to make my way to each of the sites without hiring transport (which is readily available). The sites are rather sleepy. I didn’t see anyone else there (which added to the experience in my opinion) but the sites are all well maintained. The excavation and renovation work is impressive. There is a small plaque at each of the sites describing its background and significance. An added benefit is the feeling of being in a village, even though you’re only a few minutes from the city.

Free admission. It’s a starting point that provides access to the vast area. You can rent a carriage here. Riding a carriage allows you to see the scattered ruins all at once. I just drove my own car. There were also couples who came by motorbike. There were very few people, so many shops were either closed or not there at all. If you like ruins, it's a great place to visit and feel the atmosphere of an ancient city buried in nature.

Wiang Kum Kam is a large historical area dated back to over 700 years ago. It used to be the center of Lanna before the center moved to Chiang Mai. Over 40+ temples had been discovered from underground in the area. 10 temples are opened for visitors. They are free to visit but you can support the local by enjoying the horse ride through the area. The rider/guide can give information about the area and temples.

For archeological lovers, this place is a hidden gem. Take the horse carriage ride and enjoy the ruins. At the end, visit the information center for a good historical wrap-up. English is available on the panels and movies. Recommanded.

Old ancient uncovered ruins of what was the old capital after chiang rai but before chiang Mai, before it was abandoned due to numerous floods. Enter through the main entrance and you will be able to go on a guided tour on a open bus or you can hire a horse guided cart. We opted to walk through the old town and took our time visiting the many ancient ruins and speaking to some of the locals. The museum is definitely worth a visit and holds many ancient artifacts. Friendly staff will be more than happy to show you around. It was very quiet when we visited during the week and was peaceful visiting some the old areas. Helpful placards so you can learn more about the each area.

It's ok to visit if you have spare time. However, the ruins are really scattered and spread out over a wide area. Some nice and quiet temples in that area however. Recommend to take either the tram or drive around to visit the sites. It's on a much smaller scale as well, and might be disappointing for those who had visited Ayutthaya outside Bangkok.

These ruins are important in Lanna, then Siam history, and the best part is you can do them yourself and take your time! I took a taxi down from central Chiang Mai, then chose to walk the ruins for several hours. (Full disclosure, I’m a historian!) Beyond the info center - which should be your starting point - there’s little info. You can, however, find several good info sites online to have with you. Several of the ruins are part of modern temples as well, with much more to see and drinks/toilets available. I chose to walk, but you can also rent bikes for a slower tour. Personally, I enjoyed seeing the surrounding residential area and chatting with locals. For those short on time, you can choose a horse and buggy or electric tram. Whatever you choose, this is certainly a site with seeing - and there’s lots of ongoing construction as the various sites are upgraded. (But be warned, I expected a stray taxi or tuk-tuk at the closest temple to town, there was nothing. Just be prepared with Grab!)