Wiang Kum Kam tour Chiang Mai: private carriage ride ancient ruins

Ride through a city that vanished two centuries ago

This private half-day tour takes you through Wiang Kum Kam, an ancient archaeological site south of Chiang Mai that King Mangrai built as his capital before moving the city. You travel by horse-drawn carriage through the ruins of temples like Wat Chang Kong and Wat Ku Tao, visit the 3 Kings Monument, and stop at the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre to see artifacts and displays tracing the city's history from its first settlers onward. The tour includes a live guide in English or Thai, roundtrip hotel pickup, and runs about 3.5 hours; at least two people are required to book, though single travelers can join subject to availability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore ancient Wiang Kum Kam ruins

• Visit ancient temple in Wiang Kum Kam
• Explore historic Wiang Kum Kam settlement
• Tour Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Chiang Mai hotel and heads south to Wiang Kum Kam, where a horse-drawn carriage becomes your transport through the archaeological site. This is not a walking tour—the carriage moves you between the scattered temple ruins and lets you step down to explore them up close. Wat Chang Kong, known for its striking architecture, and Wat Ku Tao, with its distinctive chedi, anchor the stops, and your guide explains what each structure meant to the city's inhabitants and how the site fits into Chiang Mai's founding story.

The 3 Kings Monument, which sits in the Old City near the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre, is part of the same route. The centre itself occupies a restored provincial government building from the 1920s and holds photographs, artifacts, maps and an audiovisual display that walks through Chiang Mai's history from settlement to present day—including a small-scale model of a traditional wooden village. The centre closes Mondays, but the tour can still run and visit the other sites if that day falls during your booking.

Your guide is a live local expert who speaks English or Thai and provides context about daily life in the ancient city and the significance of the ruins you're standing in front of. The carriage ride itself shapes the pace: you move slowly enough to take in the landscape and the remaining city walls, but the stops are structured so the whole experience fits into a half-day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour suits all fitness levels; families with infants can bring a pram or stroller, and the site is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Horse-drawn carriage ride through the archaeological site.
• guided tour of Wiang Kum Kam's ancient temples including Wat Chang Kong and Wat Ku Tao.
• visit to the 3 Kings Monument.
• entry to the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre with its historical exhibitions and audiovisual displays.
• live guide in English or Thai.
• roundtrip hotel pickup and transportation.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by I Asia Thailand

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Thai, so book this tour if you're comfortable following commentary in one of those languages. Families with infants and travelers who prefer not to walk long distances benefit from the carriage, which moves you between stops and keeps the pace manageable across the 3.5 hours.

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Top questions

What was Wiang Kum Kam and why did King Mangrai leave it?

Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient settlement and archaeological site along the Ping River that King Mangrai the Great built as his capital before he moved it to Chiang Mai. The ruins you see today—temples, stupas and city walls—are what remains of that original city, which disappeared over 200 years ago.

How do I get around the archaeological site during the tour?

You travel by horse-drawn carriage between the temple ruins and stops, which lets you cover the scattered site without walking long distances. You step down at each temple to explore it on foot with your guide.

Is the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre always open when the tour runs?

The centre closes on Mondays, but the tour can still operate on that day and visit Wiang Kum Kam, the 3 Kings Monument and the other sites. If you book a Monday departure, you'll see the temples and ruins but skip the centre's exhibitions.

Can I book this tour as a single traveler?

At least two people are required for the tour to run, but a single traveler can book subject to availability. You would need to confirm that another booking or group can join you before the tour is confirmed.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English or Thai. If you need Spanish, French, German or Russian, you can upgrade to a Private Tour Plus with a language supplement of 800 baht for the whole party.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the horse-drawn carriage ride, guided access to Wiang Kum Kam's temples and the 3 Kings Monument, entry to the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre, a live guide and roundtrip hotel pickup. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included.