Wiang Kum Kam
The nine main sites taken in on a typical tour are not greatly interesting compared to many of Thailand's ancient sites. What does make the trip worthwhile is the gentle pace and scenery of the countryside. Although most of the sites are not much more than platforms and ruined chedis, there are two working temples in the area that date from the city's heyday at the end of the thirteenth century.The ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam was situated in the vast plains of the far north of the country, the largest area of flat land at the site of present-day Chiang Mai and Lamphun. It is believed to be the earliest historical settlement in the Chiang Mai area established by Mon settlers as a satellite town for the Haripunchai kingdom. Archaeological remains excavated at the site, such as the stone tablets with Mon inscriptions, pottery, earthenware moulds, Buddhist sculpture and architecture, suggest that there has been a long and continuous history of settlement in the area dating back to the 8th century Haripunchai era.
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