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Region: Northern Thailand> Province: Sukhothai>Location: Sukhothai
Sukhothai sights and attractions
Sukhothai Historic Park - Don't miss it
Description
This fascinating park has been restored by UNESCO and the Thai Fine Arts Department. Admission into the old city is 30B and a number of separate outlying sites also collect admission charges. The best way to explore is really by bicycle, and there are hordes of hire places just outside the park entrance. You can also do it by motorbike or car.
The park has five sections - central, north, south, east and west. Most people only explore the central and northern zones, and unless you're an art historian or have a very specific interest in some of the other sites, these two are probably sufficient.
Most of the bike shops will give you a map with a suggested route. A pretty standard one is to begin at Wat Mahathat, then continue to Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Trapang Ngoen, Wat Sri Sri, Wat Phra Phai Luang and then Wat Sri Chum. The Ramkhaemhaeng National Museum, which is just before the ticket office, is also worth a look primarily to see an ancient inscription that supposedly points to the origin of the Thai language, though some claim it's fake.
The main wats are covered below, but there are plenty of minor ones we haven't covered. There is a good brochure with plenty of details that is occasionally for sale at the ticket office.
The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum - Drp by while you're in the area
Description
Opened in 1964, this museum contains a collection of artefacts from the sites of Sukhothai, and is a good place to begin your tour. It is located to your left down the road before passing the park office.
Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-16:00
Wat Mahathat - Splendid site
Sukhothai Historical Park
Description
This is the most impressive ruin within the park and should not be missed. The large complex was once walled in and surrounded by a moat. The rambling enclosure containing almost 200 chedis has a large, lotus-bud chedi at its centre that was rebuilt by King Lo Thai in the mid-14th century to hold Buddha relics -- a hair and a neckbone fragment -- that he picked up in Sri Lanka. The complex shows a range of Sri Lankan and Khmer influences. The tall stone pillars of the wat would have once supported a wooden ceiling. Note the pilgrims and monks in relief walking in procession clockwise around the monument, just as pilgrims would have done in real life. The remaining Buddha statues here are in remarkable condition, and in the early morning, the whole complex is very photogenic.
Wat Sri Sawai - Khmer influenced
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
This is to the southwest of Wat Mahathat and would have originally been a Hindu shrine - see the carvings of both Vishnu and other Hindi deities -- before later being adapted as a Buddhist monument. To the casual onlooker this is one of the most
Wat Trapang Ngoen - Very photogenic
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
This smaller site almost directly behind Wat Mahathat is particularly photogenic at sunrise with the hills in the background that supposedly look like a reclining Buddha. Trapang Ngoen means silver lake, a reference to the large pond before the monument. You can walk out onto the island in the middle of the pond. Take note too of the stunning walking Buddhas.
Wat Sra Sri - Feed the fish while here
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
Located west of the King Ramkhamhaeng monument and situated on two connected islands, this wat is simple yet beautiful. It's popular with children who like to feed the fish in the ponds. A large walking Buddha in Sukhothai style dominates the site, along with one chedi in Sri Lankan style.
King Ramkhamhaeng Monument - Just a statue
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
To the north of Wat Mahathat, this large bronze statue is flanked by four bas relief sculptures recording the king's life and exploits. Not really worth getting off your bike for.
Wat Phra Phai Luang - Lot's of chedis
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
This is thought to have been originally built by Khmers at the centre of a Khmer town, well before the Thais began to build here and is believed to be one of the oldest complexes in the park. Originally a Khmer Hindu shrine, this wat was second in importance to Wat Mahathat. Of the three original prangs, only one remains and it is decorated with both Hindu and Buddhist designs. The entire complex contains over 30 chedis.
Wat Sri Chum - Check out the tapered fingers
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
This famous and much photographed wat is definitely worth a visit, but does cost another 30B. The impressive mondop houses a massive Buddha almost touching the ground with an incredibly tapered set of fingers. The image is 11m across the waist and the walls of the mondop are three metres thick. There is a passage that runs up through the mondop wall on your right as you enter, but it was off-limits when we visited.
Wat Saphan Hin - Good viewpoint
Sukhothai Historic Park
Description
Two km to the west of the main park, this wat is at an elevation of 200m and affords great views of the historic park, although there's not a lot here to see.