A Walk In The Park - Wiang Kaen - Muang Yai Old Town

DavidFL

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Wiang Kaen Attractions.

Wiang Kaen is an adjoining district to Chiang Khong & it's claim to fame for bikers is being on R1155 & the way to / from Doi Pha Tang & Phu Chi Fah.
99% riders would not stop here in Wiang Kaen, unless for fuel or a coffee perhaps, but Wiang Kaen has a couple of great spots:
Kaeng Pha Dai on the Mekong at the end of the road, plus Caffa Coffee just out of town.

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And there is the old city on the hill with multiple magnificent old trees.

"Muang Luang Wiang Kaen" @ Muang Yai.

Once upon a time there was an old Wiang Kaen town on a hill overlooking the present location.
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The unconfirmed story goes that old Wiang Kaen was a town before Chiang Khong and was ruled from Nan.
Once upon a time there was a battle for the old town & a great loss of life, with blood everywhere in the streams & fields.
The old Wiang Kaen lost & the old town was defeated but in ruins?
People moved on? (I will endeavour to get the correct story.)

But the hill is still there, the old moats are still there & there are multiple massive old trees.
A couple of the old trees are growing out of, or over old chedis.
The site is not signposted in English, but there are a few Thai signs.
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Danny from Rin Bar in Chiang Khong & I sauntered out there for the day & a walk in the park.
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There is a good dirt track to the site, with a few signs in Thai indicating various attractions - old ruins, chedis or trees.
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There are magnificent old trees everywhere you look
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and you do actually need to take care of the faint trail you are walking on, or it could be confusing which is the right way back out = we had a couple of indecisive moments!
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A tree growing out of an old chedi
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Part of an old chedi
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An old chedi site
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There is a small wat at the top of the hill where the viewpoint is
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Take your time & check it out sometime.
The magnificent trees on this site make it an absolute joy & a pleasure to hike around through the forest there.
Bring some water, wear long trousers & good footwear.
Pay attention to the trail you follow as you can get confused in there.

The wet season would not be the best time to go - go in the dry or after the wet season.

If you want to take a good look around, then allow 2 hours minimum. We used up 2.5 hours on this first exploratory trip & there is more to see.

There is a guide map in Thai at the lower car park, which is where we parked.
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A English version of the map, courtesy Jean-Baptiste.
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The entrance is near # 3 chedi.
Park your bike by the sign car park, then walk left & right on the trails, then return to the bikes & walk up the hill to the other ruins, chedi & viewpoint; would be the best way to go.

Wiang Kaen city & the main road junction is just 600 metres away to the west.
There is a PTT & 7-11 / Amazon in town, 900 metres away, plus coffee shops, restaurants & hotels starting @ 350 baht a night.

Some translated info courtesy of Jean-Baptiste
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Google Maps

If you want to go with someone who has been & can show you around a bit contact Danny @ Rin Bar.
 
Last edited:

ianyonok

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Wow, another super find David.
Must get out there and check it out when things dry up, later in the year.
Beuatiful old trees and ancient history, wonderful.
 

ianyonok

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2020-09-30 12.12.12.jpg
We got out there to have a look around.
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Certainly, some beautiful big old trees in there.
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This tree has had "rungs" put in it, presumeably for gathering a bee's nest.

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One of the old chedis.
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Ancient stonework.
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The chedi robbers have been looking for valuables inside.
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It is like a National Park in there almost, right next to Wiang Kaen town.
 
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DavidFL

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View attachment 137829 We got out there to have a look around. View attachment 137830 View attachment 137831
Certainly, some beautiful big old trees in there.View attachment 137832 This tree has had "rungs" put in it, presumeably for gathering a bee's nest.

View attachment 137833 One of the old chedis.
View attachment 137834 View attachment 137835 View attachment 137836
Ancient stonework.View attachment 137837
The chedi robbers have been looking for valuables inside.
View attachment 137838 View attachment 137839 View attachment 137840 View attachment 137841 View attachment 137842 View attachment 137843 View attachment 137844 View attachment 137845 View attachment 137846 View attachment 137847

It is like a National Park in there almost, right next to Wiang Kaen town.

Bloody fantastic isn't it?