Understand

Step into the past and uncover the captivating history of the town now known as Wiang Hiran Nakhon Ngoen Yang, once a prominent city within the Lanna kingdom. This ancient town served as the capital before King Mengrai established Chiang Rai, a testament to its historical importance. However, in the 16th century, the town fell to Burmese invaders and suffered further devastation under the reign of King Rama I in 1803. Reduced to a ghost town for the next century, it slowly began to regain its vitality around 1900, yet still bears the scars of its tumultuous past. Traces of the old double city walls and countless other antiquities can still be found both within and outside the town's borders. Explore the remnants of a bygone era and witness the resilience of a once-great city as it strives to revive its former glory.

Map & Climate

Popular Foods

Pad Thai: Pad Thai is a signature Thai dish consisting of stir-fried rice noodles with a uniquely balanced blend of sweet, sour, salty, and tangy flavors. It typically includes shrimp or chicken (though can be prepared with tofu for a vegetarian version), scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, and is garnished with crushed peanuts, lime wedges, and fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions. The dish is served with a side of som tam (green papaya salad) and mango sticky rice for a complete meal.

Tom Yum Goong: This spicy and aromatic soup is a beloved Thai classic that features a fragrant broth made from stock, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and chili paste. It's packed with succulent prawns, mushrooms, tomatoes, and other vegetables, with optional additions like snakehead fish or even chicken. The dish is often garnished with fresh cilantro and a sprinkling of pepper.

Mango Sticky Rice: This iconic Thai dessert is a delightful combination of sweet, creamy mango and glutinous rice. The sticky rice is cooked in coconut milk and sugar until it achieves a chewy texture, then served alongside ripe, juicy mango slices. The dish is sometimes garnished with toasted coconut flakes or sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor. It's typically enjoyed during the mango season (May to September) as a sumptuous, refreshing treat.

Historical Appearance

Traditional Male Clothing

Traditional Female Clothing