Kamphaeng Phet Historic Park

This large park stretches to the north of Kamphaeng Phet within the city walls and also further north in a separate enclosure. The closest entrance is beside the city pillar shrine at the northern end of town. When compared to the historical park at Sukhothai, the first thing you'll notice is the much wider use of laterite, particularly in sculpting Buddha images. The erosion over the centuries has created a fascinating array of figures not dissimilar to the aliens in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The central complex is lush and well shaded, and chances are you'll have the complex entirely to yourself.

The central area contains Wat Phra That to the south and Wat Phra Kaew to the north. Wat Phra That is the principle chedi, and is built from a mixture of laterite and stone. Aside from the chedi and a Buddha, little remains at Wat Phra That, but Wat Phra Kaew is home to a number of images and chedis. Dating back to the Sukhothai period and renovated during the Ayutthaya period, this was once probably the largest monument in the city. Some more recent Buddha images are located towards the rear, including a reclining Buddha.

Outside the walled area, just to the north of the road to Sukhothai, lies the sprawling part of the park, which is best visited by bicycle. The most interesting site is Wat Chang Rop at the far northern part of the enclosure, where a partially collapsed chedi is supported by a disintegrating collection of 68 sculpted elephants. You can climb up on the chedi for a fair view. Other sites worth a look are the well renovated Wat Phra Non and Wat Phra Si Ariyabot, also known as Wat Yuen, which has a collection of Buddhas demonstrating the four main stances of reclining, walking, standing and sitting. Wat Phra Non, now in total ruins, once housed the Emerald Buddha that can now be seen in Bangkok.