Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient settlement along the Ping river, which the king Mengrai built before the creation of the Chiang Mai 3 km from the future capital of the Lanna Kingdom. According to ancient records, the city was founded in the second half of the XIII century. Wiang Kum Kam was built as the capital after the victory of the king over the people of Mont neighboring Kingdom Haripunchai.

Unfortunately, the city was badly chosen, he was constantly flooded. Wiang Kum Kam was abandoned by people and about 700 years of it and no one remembered.

In 1984, the Fine Arts Department discovered the remains of an ancient city near Wat Chang Kam and began archaeological excavations. As it turned out, was found forgotten and lost many centuries ago the city of Wiang Kum Kam. Studies have shown that this place existed ancient settlements since the VIII century.

The best preserved temples of the old city are Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham (aka Wat Kahn, in honor of the author of the temple).

One of the most important surviving buildings is the Chedi (stupa) in the style of the Kingdom Haripunchai, founded in 1286. At all levels are niches with statues of the Buddha. It is an exact copy of the Chedi Mahipal in the temple of Kamadeva in lumphun city, which was the capital of the Kingdom Haripunchai.

In Wiang Kum Kam were found the most important ancient artifacts: the alphabet of the ancient people of Mont 1207 – 1307 gg; mon alphabet with the changes rolling in Thai 1277 – 1317.; alphabet of the Kingdom of Sukhothai to 1397

On the territory of the ancient city is a Museum and an information center where you can find a lot of useful and interesting information about the history of Northern Thailand.