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A Practical Guide to Visit Sukhothai, Thailand
Sukhothai (or, rather, Sukhothai Historical Park) was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Sukhothai from the 13th to the 15th centuries, before Thailand even existed. As such, the ancient glory of the kingdom can be seen in the whopping 193 temples that have been excavated in the area, which has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is somewhat similar to Ayutthaya, another ancient capital located roughly 80km north of Bangkok. However, since Sukhothai is farther away from the main tourist areas of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, it receives fewer crowds, which allows you to explore it almost by yourself! On this post, I will give you some practical tips on how to enjoy your trip to Sukhothai to the fullest and a list of what, in my opinion, are the best temples in Sukhothai. Here we go!
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Map to the best temples in Sukhothai, Thailand
To make your trip easier, save this Google Map with all the temples, accommodations and restaurants I mention in this post:
Brief History of Sukhothai, Thailand
The Kingdom of Sukhothai was founded in the 13th century around the city of Sukhothai. The city had been a trade enclave of the Khmer Empire, but in 1238, local leader Si Inthranit started a revolt that ended in the gained independence of the Sukhothai Kingdom and him as its first king. The Kingdom flourished especially during the reign of King Ram Khamhaeng the Great in the late 13th century, with the introduction of Theravada Buddhism and beginning of the Thai script. In the 15th century, the Kingdom of Sukhothai was absorbed by the neighbouring Kindom of Ayutthaya. Today, a modern city exists near the Old Sukhothai City, named Sukhothai Thani.
Structure of the Sukhothai Historical Park
The Sukhothai Historical Park is basically the Archeological Site of the Old Sukhothai City (located roughly 12km west of Sukhothai Thani). It is centered around the old walled city, a square walled area of arond 2 km by 2 km that contains some of the most impressive and famous temples in the city.
The Sukhothai Historical Park is divided in 5 zones
- Central Zone: this comprises the walled city and is home to some of the most spectacular and famous temples in Sukhothai. It can easily be done by foot without any sort of transportation. Price: 100 THB (2,5€). Some important temples: Wat Mahathat, Wat Sa Si, Wat Sri Sawai.
- Northern Zone: the most impressive zone after the Central Zone. It is home to some of the oldest ritual sites in the city, dating from before the independence from the Khmer Empire. Price: 100 THB (2,5€). Some important temples: Wat Si Chum, Wat Phra Phai Luang.
- Western Zone: this one is in a wooded area with hills. It still has quite a few charming temples that are perhaps less impressive than the ones in the Central Zone, but not even remotely as many visitors as the two zones above. This was one of my favourite areas as we were completely alone the whole time. Price: 100 THB (2,5€). Some important temples: Wat Saphan Hin.
- Eastern Zone: there a fewer temples in the Eastern Zone, but still some nice ones to see. Price: free. Some important temples: Wat Chang Lom.
- Southern Zone: this area is the least impressive in terms of temples, but there are still some you can visit. Price: free. Some important temples: Wat Chetuphon.
For the rest of the post I will refer to Sukhothai Historical Park simply as Sukhothai.
Most Iconic Temples in Sukhothai, Thailand
1. Wat Mahathat
Central Zone
Wat Mahathat is the largest temple in Sukhothai and definitely one of the most impressive. Built in the 13th century, it is surrounded by a moat, representing the universe and the cosmic ocean. There are several Buddha statues that still stand, as well as almost 200 chedis to explore in the monastery. For me, there is no better way to end your day in Sukhothai than watching the sun set behind Wat Mahathat with the reflection on the pond. Wat Mahathat is definitely one of the best temples in Sukhothai.
I think Wat Mahathat is the temple you should spend the most time in, exploring its many areas and terraced gardens. You should also go around the moat to see it from every perspective, as it is one of the most iconic views of the whole city.
2. Wat Si Chum
Northern Zone
Wat Si Chum is probably the most unique temple in all of Sukhothai. Located just outside of the northwestern corner of the walled city, Wat Si Chum is famous for its 15m-tall Buddha statue inside of a mon dop (a small, square open aired building). You can see the statue from an opening on the building, and its built so the proportions of the Buddha are just perfect once you are just beneath it. The statue is very calm an elegant, with delicate hands and fingers.
3. Wat Sa Si
Central Zone
Wat Sa Si is located in the middle of a small lake in the Central Zone, and you can only access it through a red wooden bridge across the lotus pond. The uniqueness of this temple is the Sinhalese style chedi and the Sukhothai-style walking Buddha image. However, it is its location in the pond that makes this temple one of the most photogenic in the park.
4. Wat Sri Sawai
Central Zone
Wat Sri Sawai is one of the oldest temples in the park, built in the 12th century under the Khmer Empire. Because of that, its three beautifully ornate Khmer-style prangs makes it one of the most unique temples in Sukhothai. Also, surprisingly, it is wildly under-visited despite its location near the most famous Wat Mahathat.
5. Wat Phra Phai Luang
Northern Zone
Wat Phra Phai Luang is located just outside the city walls on the Northern side of the Historical site. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries under the Khmer Empire, which explains the Khmer-style architecture. The temple was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and later converted to Theravada Buddhism. It is one of the largest structures in the park and, although some parts are not perfectly preserved, some others like the beautiful stucco in the prongs will take you some time to explore!
Lesser Known Temples to Visit in Sukhothai, Thailand
6. Wat Saphan Hin
Western Zone
Wat Saphan Hin is a temple located on top of a hill in the Western area of the Historical Park. Its name translate to “temple of the stone bridge”, referring to the stone-paved path that goes up the hill to the temple. The most imposing part of this small temple is the 12m-tall statue of the Buddha overlooking the plain where the Central Zone is.
7. Wat Chang Lom
Eastern Zone
Wat Chang Lom, located in the Eastern zone of the park, receives its name because of its central chedi surrounded by elephant figures. Built in the 14th century, many of the statues are in a certain state of disrepair, but the motifs are still visible. Nearby there’s the remains of a big viharn, suggesting that this was an important monastery.
8. Wat Sorasak
Central Zone
If you don’t have time to visit the Eastern zone, worry not! You can still see the elephant motif of Wat Chang Lom in Wat Sorasak, located in the Central zone. Although smaller than the previous one, it preserves the 24 elephant statues at the base of the chedi.
9. Wat Chedi Ngarm
Western Zone
Wat Chedi Ngarm, meaning “Temple of the Beautiful Chedi”, is a temple located on a low hill on the Western area of the park. While the viharn is quite damaged, the large 14th century chedi is still in very good shape.
10. Wat Chang Rop
Western Zone
Wat Chang Rop is another one of the temples with surviving chedis in the Western zone. The bells shows a Sri Lanka-style design, with a box and ringed top. Its name, meaning “surrounded by elephants” derives from the 24 elephant sculptures surrounding the main chedi, although not much remains of these sculptures unlike others in the area like Wat Sorasak.
11. Wat Khao Phra Bat Noi
Western Zone
Wat Khao Phra Bat Noi has a chedi that contained four images of the Buddha’s footprint (they are now exposed at Ramkhamhaeng National Museum). The temple grounds have trails through forested areas that lead to nearby temples such as Wat Chedi Ngarm. While the temples are perhaps not as impressive as the ones in the Central Zone, it is a great alternative for visitors that like nature and to avoid crowds.
12. Wat Mangkorn
Western Zone
Wat Mangkorn or “The Temple of the Dragon” (dramatic!) was a random find for us while cycling back to the Central Zone. There are many areas of the temple that have survived, such as part of the Sri Lankan-style chedi, the ordination hall, several columns and subsidiary chedis. It is also located under a beautiful Banyan tree.
13. Wat Traphang Ngoen
Central Zone
Wat Traphang Ngoen is surprisingly unvisited despite being in the Central Zone, possibly because most people stay in the area where Wat Mahathat is located. The temple itself is located by a pond on the western part of the walled city, featuring beautiful stucco work of the Buddha image. You’ll also find the remains of the ubasot (ordination hall) in an island in the pond that you can access through a red wooden bridge.
How to Get to Sukhothai, Thailand
Getting to Sukhothai is slightly more complicated than most popular areas in Thailand, since it is quite isolated from other major itinerary stops in the country (which is part of the charm!). That being said, there are easy and comfortable options, especially when coming from Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
By Air
While I think it’s quite unnecessary to fly to Sukhothai, it does have a national airport with domestic flights operated by Bangkok Airways.
By Train or Bus
Train is another option that can work. However, the train station from the Bangkok – Chiang Mai line is in Phitsanulok, which is quite far from the Archeological Park. If you still prefer this option, you can book train tickets below. However, in my opinion, the best option to get to Sukhothai is, by far, to take a bus that will leave you directly in Old Sukhothai and ready to explore the ancient temples. There are regular buses connecting Sukhothai to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. You can reserve a (quite affordable) ticket in the box below:
By Car
Another popular option to get to Sukhothai is to rent a car and drive from another major city. While I generally do not recommend driving in Thai cities as a tourist, the inter-city highways are quite a different story. They are generally well maintained and signaled and Sukhothai itself is a small city with low traffic. Also, the car can be useful for visiting more remote temples!
If you’re staying in Chiang Mai and are traveling in a group, another great option is hiring a driver to take you to Sukhothai and back to Chiang Mai.
How to Visit the Best Temples in Sukhothai, Thailand
For me the absolute best way to visit the best temples in Sukhothai is by bicycle. Not only it’s a cost-effective way that will give you a nice tan and some exercise, all while visiting some of the most amazing temples in Thailand. Cycling is also allowed inside the Central Zone, while cars and motorbikes have to be parked outside. It all depends on your level of fitness and tolerance to heat, but most of the park is quite reachable with a bike within a day.
It is totally doable to cycle yourself, as the roads are well maintained and signal available to use Google Maps. However, if you prefer to be worry-free, you can always book one of the fun cycling tours of Sukhothai, which is also a fun social experience and great when traveling with children.
Travel tip: while it is possible to visit some areas of the park on foot, especially the Central Zone, I do recommend using some other mode of transportation for the other areas.
You can also visit temples with a rental car, which will be much more comfortable than any other option since you can rest and get out of the heat inside the car. It is obviously more expensive, but especially practical for those traveling with family.
Where to Stay in Sukhothai, Thailand
Surprisingly (or not due to its remote location), there are not that many options of accommodation in Sukhothai Old Town. Contrarily, the new city of Sukhothai, located around 12km East of the Historical Park has a lot more ammenities. That being said, I really recommend that you try to find accommodation inside of the archeological park in order to beat the crowds and to make your visit easier.
Budget
If you’re looking for an affordable option but close to the Historical Site of Sukhothai, your best bet is Smilingface Guesthouse. This guesthouse offers their most affordable accommodation in tents! But don’t worry, they also offer spacious rooms for a very decent price. The staff is really welcoming and helpful and they offer a nice local breakfast as well as coffee and snacks. If you want to pay very little but don’t want to compromise in comfort, you can book a nice room at TR Guesthouse in the new Sukhothai city. It is also conveniently located close to the shuttles to the archeological site.
Mid-range
For me there is a clear winner in this category (and overall), which is Thai Thai Sukhothai. This hotel offers a beautiful and luxurious decor, big comfortable rooms, swimming pools and bike rental only a few minutes away of the Historical Park and the bus station, making your stay easy and comfortable. Other options if it’s fully booked are Sawasdee Sukhothai Resort or Vieng Tawan Sukhothai Hotel (actually sharing the swimming pool with Thai Thai Sukhothai).
Luxury
Sukhothai may not be entirely caught up with high-end luxury, but if you’re ready to splurge, the hotels that I mentioned offer upgraded rooms for a higher price. Alternatively, you can book an entire villa with a private pool at BaanSuk Sukhothai Resort. For more traditional luxury, check out Ruean Thai Hotel (although, again, luxury standards are a bit lower here).
Where to eat in Sukhothai, Thailand
Similar to other amenities, there’s not a lot of choices in Old Sukhothai when it comes to food. I am assuming many people eat at their hotels, but it is not really our style. That’s why we ended up finding Sureerat Restaurant, a small very authentic Thai place with delicious local food at very affordable prices (quite rare being that close to all of the main temples). Check out their delicious pad kra pao or some of their delicious seafood stir fries.
Closing statement
Sukhothai is a wonderful place to visit in Thailand to understand the country’s past and enjoy the cultural richness and iconic architecture of Buddhist temples. Surprisingly, Sukhothai is quite undervisited in favor of easier-to-reach (but still gorgeous) Ayutthaya, so it is a fantastic option for someone wanting to explore Thai ancient temples while avoiding hoardes of tourists. While it is a bit out of the way for a short Thailand itinerary, it is a perfect stop for anyone traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, cutting the trip roughly in half and allowing you to visit this wonderful gem.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, these articles will probably be useful:
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: Top 12 Must-Do Activities
What to do in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Pai: Northern Thailand hippie escape
What to do in Bangkok: top 10 activities
Ayutthaya: a day trip from Bangkok, Thailand
Also, since you’re interested in Southeast Asia, maybe these will inspire you:
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What to do in Singapore: Top 11 things to do in Singapore
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