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	---> MORE Destinations: _________________________________ New Perspective of Chiang Rai at Latitude 19 VISITING A BORDER TOWN: Mae Sot – then and now The Poy Sang Long Festival in Mae Hong Son The Samoeng Strawberry Festival Far Out and Cool in Fang District PICTURE PERFECT Mon Jaem Chiang Mai Reflections and a Night Safari Adventure Wat Palad: The Temple below the Temple The Bua Tong Waterfall Park The Cave and Hot Springs of the Mae On Area A DAY TRIP TO DOI INTHANON Two wheels good four wheels…er… The Sino-Thai Dragon Temple of Wat Tha Ton Doi Inthanon - Thailand’s Highest Mountain Kad Mua - an all-you-need market Chiang Dao High! Chiang Mai’s Red Cross and Winter Fair Loy Krathong at Tak A RETREAT TO... Kwan Yin Bodhisattva Hall Living with nature: Galyani Vadhana District Treasures of Myanmar A Journey to Shangri-La Pha Wing Choo – A Lover's Cliff Wiangtakan – The Past Remains Rural Life and Natural Mystery in Chaiprakarn Taking Aim at Chiang Mai's Shooting Gallery Chiang Mai - Maerim - Samoeng Route Hot Springs (and eggs) Ratchaphruek Festival 2009 The 5th Lanna - Japan Festival 2009 Make a Day of it at the New Look Night Safari Mae Sa Snake Farm Marine Lives in a Mountainous Zoo X-Centre Mae Hong Son, Pang Oong and much more along the way... Mae Kampong Village Tiger Kingdom Pai: The Hub of Joy Flower Festival Annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival at Bo Sang Village Wiang Kum Kam: The Underground Ancient City Loy Kratong: The Town's Joyful Festival Monkey Centre Maerim, Chiang Mai Baankwai Thai Maerim Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden THE ROYAL PALACE ON DOI SUTHEP The Night Safari Ban Saonak Chae Son National Park Lamphun's Wat Chamathevi Doi Tao Lake Mae Sai Bai the Beautiful Wieng Kum Kam Mae Klang Luang Village Doi Pui - Hmong Tribal Village Nan Province Wat Suan Dok Chiang Saen: a city in myth and reality One Night in Chiang Rai and a day across the border A trip full of tour guides Two Days and a Night in the Country The Sumptuous Angkhang Gourmet Tour AWAY FROM IT ALL IN NEARBY MAE WANG Children's Day at the Westernmost Point of Thailand To Lamphun Along the Road of Histories ESCAPING TO PAI A WINTER TRIP ON THE PING RIVER To the Back of Beyond, right on your doorstep Visiting the Shrine of the Elephant-Headed God Visiting Samui Back to Nature at Opkhan National Park Lost in the Chiang Mai Zoo Three Days through the Northern Countryside DOING A NINE-TEMPLE KARMA TRIP - Right Here in Chiang Mai An Early Summer Trip to the Thi Lo Su Falls Nan: Forest, Temples and the Salt of the Earth TREKKING AND TUCKING IN: Wawee Coffee Plantation Mai Long Yee - Lovely Whatever Else You Call It Magnificent Creatures at Wat Changkham Off to See Some Mural Paintings in Lampang The Salawin and the People of Tha Tafang A Hike in the Forest A Journey back in time A Long Night of Luxury in the Chiang Dao Valley Ice-cold in Omkoy A Quick Visit to a Karen Wedding Strawberry Fields Forever A quick ride to Jaesorn National Park A Journey to Wawee A Birding Trip for Newbies Nam Bor Phi Cave A Breath of Sea Air Shopping With a Difference: Kad Luang Airport ELEPHANTS AND ORCHIDS AND THE SNACKS IN BETWEEN Monsoon Miscellany MAE RIM LAGOON AN IMPRESSIVE TRIP - to the Sukantara Resort Visiting Luang Prabang, the Pearl on the Mekong River Phrae: refreshing trip, auspicious visits Up on the Mountain (again) at Khun Wang UP THE MOUNTAIN TO THUNG LUANG SINGAPORE - City of Parks A Short Sight-Seeing Trip to the Monkey Centre GIVE PAI A TRY! You won’t regret it A BUSY DAY’S VISIT TO SANKAMPAENG A Rainy Day Outing to Phrao Monsoon Miscellany TRIPPING AND TASTING ALONG THE HANDICRAFT HIGHWAYS

Wiang Kum Kam: The Underground Ancient City

Wiang Kum Kam is located between Chiang Mai and Lamphun and is believed to have been built in 1286 by order of the first king of the Mangrai Dynasty, the founder of the Lanna Kingdom. Forty-two historical monuments inside and outside of the historical city were mostly ruined by the flooding only 15 years after it was built and buried beneath the ground where they have remained ever since. So Wiang Kum Kam, one of the most civilized cities of the past, has today just a few remains, except for two temples which are in active use. Many of the historical temples consisted of a viharn and a chedi, surrounded by a wall.

An archeological study of Wiang Kum Kam by the Fine Arts Department began after local villagers discovered dozens of votive tablets in the ground of the Wat Chang Kam area in 1984. Then, an excavation to collect more data was carried out by the archeologists to confirm that the area where Wiang Kum Kam was located is the same place as the one mentioned in legend.

The best way to start the trip is to visit Wiang Kum Kam Information Centre where you can get a history and clear picture of Wiang Kum Kam in former times. The centre is divided into several rooms to exhibit Wiang Kum Kam, including a multimedia room and other rooms featuring the historical development and significance of Wiang Kum Kam in various aspects, such as geography, strategic importance, development of architecture and ways of life of the people.

Among the historical sites in Wiang Kum Kam, the one which is still in the best condition is Wat Chedi Liam or Wat Ku Kham Luang, a temple that was never affected by the flood. The principal chedi was built on a square base and is called 'Chedi Liam' as its body is angular in shape (Liam meaning sharp-edged) and the five tiers of the chedi contain 60 Buddha images. Besides these two important sites, there are many other interesting remains, to which you will be taken on the tour, such as Wat E-Khang, Wat Nan Chang, Wat Pu Pia, Wat That Khao and Wat Ku Pa Dom.

The whole area of Wiang Kum Kam is too big to walk around so to get around the place conveniently, buying a tour package may be the best option as it includes transport (an open-air tram for a group, or a horse carriage for 2-4 persons) and a well-trained volunteer guide who knows the history of the site. Tours are organized by the local community and the rates are fixed and reasonable. If you don't want to buy a package tour, another good way to explore is by bicycle, which can be rented at Wat Chang Kam; horse carriages which offer a nice way to explore the area can be rented at this site too.

Wiang Kum Kam is situated in The Wang Tan, Sarapee District, outside Chiang Mai city, about the 3-4 km down the Chiang Mai - Lamphun Rd. For more information, transportation and a map please contact Wiang Kum Kam Information Centre any day at 053-321-523, 053-283-981, 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Text: Pon
Images: S.P.