Wat Chedi Liam

The unusual square chedi of the temple.

 
Perhaps the most interesting structure in the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam is Wat Chedi Liam. The temple features an unusual square shaped chedi, looking like an elongated pyramid. There are very few examples of this 'Mon' style chedi, which were popular from the seventh to the early thirteenth century.

The temple's main prayer hall.

The temple was built around 1286 on the orders of King Mengrai. The chedi is basically a copy of a similar one at Wat Cham Devi in Lamphun. In this case, the 60 Buddhas occupying the niches of the chedi are said to commemorate Mengrai's 60 wives.

The chedi was extensively rennovated early in the 1900s by a Burmese businessman, who had Burmese touches added to it.

Naga serpents decorating the stairs to the prayer hall.

 
Wat Chedi Liam is the main jumping off point for tours of Wiang Kum Kam. There are a number of refreshment stalls as well as an information counter with brochures describing each of the visible monuments. The temple is the place to head to if you want to rent a pony cart or catch the tram to visit the other temples.