Temples in Sukhothai
- 01
Wat Mahathat
The largest and most important temple in the old city of Sukhothai, with a lotus-bud stupa, rows of seated Buddhas and many smaller stupas set among ponds and lawns.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
- 02
Wat Phra Phai Luang
A large moated temple outside the city wall to the north, with three laterite prangs, one of them well preserved, thought to predate the Thai kingdom.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
- 03
Wat Sa Si
A small temple set on an island in a lake, with a Sri Lankan-style stupa and a seated Buddha, among the most photographed corners of the park.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or sunset; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
- 04
Wat Saphan Hin
A hilltop temple reached by a slate path and stair, with a tall standing Buddha and a wide view over the Sukhothai plain.
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Early morning; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
- 05
Wat Si Chum
A square brick hall with no roof that holds the huge seated Buddha, Phra Achana, among the most memorable sights in the park.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
- 06
Wat Si Sawai
A small, older temple with three laterite prangs inside a moat, originally a Hindu shrine and later adapted for Buddhist use.
- Time needed
- 20 to 30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
- 07
Wat Traphang Ngoen
The 'silver lake monastery', a stupa on a laterite base beside a lake, with an ordination hall on a small island to the east.
- Time needed
- 30 to 40 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and zone ticketing for Sukhothai Historical Park change, and some zones have been ticketed separately. Check the Fine Arts Department page or ask at the gate. Dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
Museums in Sukhothai
- 08
Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
A branch of the National Museum of Thailand with Buddha images, sculpture and ceramics from the Sukhothai area, a good indoor stop in the middle of the day.
- Time needed
- 45 to 75 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Midday, to avoid heat; any season
- Tickets
- Fees and hours for the National Museum and the park are set by the Fine Arts Department and change. Check before you go; photography rules inside the galleries vary.
Day trips in Sukhothai
- 09
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
The second centre of the Sukhothai Kingdom, with the ring of elephants at Wat Chang Lom, a field of stupas at Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo and far fewer visitors than Sukhothai.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning; November to February
- Tickets
- Fees and hours are set by the Fine Arts Department and change. Check before you go and confirm whether you pay at the park or a separate gate.
