Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Th Ratchaphakhinai; donations appreciated)
Considered to be the oldest wát in the
city, Wat Chiang Man is believed to have been established by the city's founder,
Phaya Mengrai. The wát features typical northern Thai temple architecture.
East of the Old City & Riverside
Passing through Pratu Tha Phae leads to a standard-issue commercial neighbour-
hood of two-storey concrete shophouses and busy multilaned roads. South of Talat
Warorot, on Th Chang Khlan, is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (see boxed text,
Click
here
). The meandering Mae Ping is another historical attraction.
WIANG KUM KAM
( 8am-5pm)
Climb aboard one of the horse-drawn carriages (200B) and relax in-
to the mellow pace of an old-fashioned conveyance. The driver typically passes
pleasantries with the locals who live among the old ruins, which are mainly half-bur-
ied brick foundations spread out over 3 sq km. The actual ruins are of more historic-
al importance than spectacle but it is the peaceful surrounding village that com-
pletes the attraction.
Wiang Kum Kam was the earliest historical settlement in the Chiang Mai area
and was established by the Mon as a satellite town for the Hariphunchai kingdom. It
was occupied by Phaya Mengrai in 1286 and used as the Lanna capital for 10
years before the construction of Chiang Mai. The city was abandoned in the 16th
century due to massive flooding when the Ping River changed its course.
Historical Ruins
TALAT WAROROT
Market
( cnr Th Chang Moi & Th Praisani; 6am-5pm)
Following Th Chang Moi towards
the river you'll discover a beehive of activity around Chiang Mai's oldest and most
famous marketplace, Talat Warorot. In northern Thai dialect, the market is known as
gàht lŏo·ang
(northern Thai for 'great market'). So much activity surrounds the mar-
ket buildings that it spreads into the neighbouring area.
WAT KETKARAM
( Th Charoenrat)
Chiang Mai's exalted river is Ping River (see boxed text,
Click here
)
.
A community of Chinese traders and Western missionaries populated the eastern
riverbank directly across from Talat Warorot. Today the neighbourhood is called Wat
Temple
