Wiang Kum Kam Ancient City Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore ancient temples and ruins
- Learn about the history of Wiang Kum Kam
- Enjoy a guided tour with local insights
- Discover hidden gems of Chiang Mai's past
- Experience a unique archaeological site
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Wiang Kum Kam archaeological site
- Transportation to and from the site
- Local guide with historical insights
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
One of the temples in the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam, now part of present-day Chiang Mai.
Wiang Kum Kam is an historic settlement and archaeological site along the Ping River, which was built by King Mangrai the Great as his capital before he moved it to Chiang Mai.
The Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre is located right in the middle of the Old City, just behind the Three Kings Monument. The centre is located inside the old provincial government hall in a restored building that dates back to the 1920s. For anyone interested in the history of Chiang Mai, the Arts and Cultural Centre is full of information and history about Chiang Mai’s past. There are many different exhibitions in the centre including photos, old artefacts, maps, and an impressive audio visual display that depicts Chiang Mai’s history from the first settlers to the modern day city. There is even a small scale replica of a traditional wooden village.
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the tour schedule and availability in advance.
- Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
- Inform the tour operator of any special requirements or requests.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
- Stroller Accessible
- Wheelchair Accessible
Good to know
- Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult.
- Children 1 and younger are complimentary.
- At least 2 people are required for this activity to take place. Single traveler may book this product, but is subject to availability
- Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center is closed on Mondays, however, the tour can still operate
- For Spanish, French, German, Russian speaking guide you can upgrade to a Private Tour PLUS add Supplement payment Baht 800.00 (whole party)
Traveler reviews
Better things to see closer to home (hotel) in the old city in Chang Mai
Our tour guide described Wiang Kum Kam as an underground city! An underground city conjures up images of Atlantis, perhaps the cave dwelling Troglodytes of France and Turkey or Coober Pedy in South Australia, with its underground homes, churches and hotel. If this is the image you have, you are probably going to be disappointed as the only underground aspect of this Ancient city is the earth from which it was excavated. There are few old ruIns, walls and temple structures but not much to inspire the imagination. The more contemporary temples in the village are interesting but as there are temples everywhere in Thailand there is no need to spend 30 minutes travelling to this ancient city to see them. In retrospective, you can probably find more interesting things to do closer to your home (hotel) base.
Historical morning out to the old city
Mr Boy picked us up at the hotel lobby on time. A very good start of our trip. MHe was also very helpful in explaining the history of every temples we visited. The old city is beautiful spot to visit and some beautiful pics were taken. A very organised trip by this agent.
An amazing ancient city
If you appreciate history this is worth a trip from Chiang Mai to see Wiang Kum Kam. You can see very old temples and ruins from a former capital. Many of the temple ruins visible now were not excavated from the river bottom until the 1980s. I learned this from the I Asia Thailand guide who was in my opinion the best part of the tour!