"Urbem lateritiam invenit, marmoream reliquit" (He found a city of bricks and left a city of marble) - Augustus Caesar

RIVER CRUISE TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF
WIANG GOOM GAAM

Today, we visit the ancient, fortified township of Wiang Goom Gaam. Just a short cruise down the Mai Ping river and a relaxing horse and buggy ride to explore these long-lost ruins, recently uncovered by archeologists. Incongruous as it might seem, Wiang Goom Gaam has lain below the sands of modern Chiang-Mai so that today a modern suburb has been built up all around these ancient ruins.

Specialists from the Department of Fine Arts discovered this hidden Lanna treasure when digs around Chiang-Mai were being conducted in 1984. And what a find it has proven to be; so far, 34 ancient sites have been identified and unearthed. Archaeologists are confident that more will follow.

But first, our boat and boatman awaits. Because the ancient city is not well publicised, not many tourists wish to go there. We were lucky to find a small tour although we were the only occupants of this large riverboat which took us down the Mai Ping like Anthony and Cleopatra in our own Mai Ping Royal barge...

Ready to go - our riverboat awaits

A modern Anthony and Cleopatra on our own Royal barge

The river drifts by as we ply peacefully upstream

Where our Royal footman awaits with our Royal carriage

To take us back in time to the ancient city of Wiang Goom Gaam

Ancient Buddha of Wiang Goom Gaam

The Buddha of Wiang Goom Gaam was unearthed sans head which was lovingly restored by the local villagers. This shrine is now worshipped by many locals from the area.

Our carriage awaits

The modern Wat, built nearby

Our Royal barge awaits

All too soon, we are delivered back to our barge to be transported away to the present time.

2551 awaits!