Top Things to do in Sukhothai
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10 Things to Do in Sukhothai That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Sukhothai, Thailand including Sukhothai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Chang Lom, Wat Sa Si, Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary, Wat Saphan Hin, Wat Sorasak.
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1. Sukhothai Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
The park comprises the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats and the water dyke control system of ancient Sukhothai, the capital of the Sukhothai kingdom from the 14th century.
Reviewed By winchela - Baltimore, Maryland
This place blows Ayutthaya out of the water!!! Feel free to look up my review of Ayutthaya ruins for all the reasons NOT to go to Ayutthaya. But here's what you need to know about Sukhothai..
1. The town is small and manageable on bikes. Seriously...you can pretty much see the whole town in a day (including the historical park area) on bikes, leisurely. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon after the crazed, chaotic, busy, dangerous previous day spent in Ayutthaya. There are a couple ruins (all worthwhile) that are outside of the actual historical park - do not miss these either.
2. The ruins in the historical park are magnificent! Compared to the ruins in Ayutthaya, the Sukhothai ruins are truly breathtaking and beautiful. They have been well cared for and preserved, and are massive and unique comparatively. I am so glad we took the extra time and spent the extra money to get to Sukhothai to see these.
2. Si Satchanalai Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 378 reviews
Located on the banks of the Yom River, the ruins of this ancient town that was formerly called “Muang Chaliang” contains more than 134 monuments from the past.
Reviewed By edkemp2002 - Bangkok, Thailand
We enjoyed this park more than the main Sukhothai historical park. It was an hour's drive North of Sukhothai and it is very open, not crowded like the main one, peaceful and picturesque. Tip:hire a bike for 70baht, or a bicycle made for two at 80 baht, as it is a Loooong way to walk around this park.
3. Wat Mahathat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 400 reviews
Sukhothai's largest temple, located behind the Royal Palace, features a magnificent seated bronze Buddha image cast in the Sukhothai style by King Lithai of Sukhothai in 1362.
Reviewed By TAIN2013 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The largest and most important temple in the historical park, the temple consists of many buildings and is reasonably well preserved. If you visit on weekend evenings, the temple is beautifully lighted up by thousands of lamps and makes for a beautiful sight.
Not to be missed.
4. Wat Si Chum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By TravelerTrecker - Houston
This is a wonderful site located at the Northern area of the Sukhothai Park. It is outside the walls. The Buddha measures 11 meters and has beautiful hands with long, golden fingers. This is a seated Buddha touching the Earth. The Buddha is seated in meditation refusing to move until he achieves enlightenment. The Buddha attracts the attention of the Earth Goddess so she could see his resistance while being tempted by his enemy Mara with nubile maidens and feasts.
In the past, it was possible to climb behind the Buddha to one of the lateral windows of the mandop where you could see the Buddha's face from one side. It is not possible any longer.
You need to pay 100 Baht for a ticket to visit this monument along with the Wat Phra Phan Luang. The latter is an important temple built during the Khmer empire. It is surrounded by a moat. They are walking distance to each other. You may arrive by bike, tuk tuk, or walking (if weather permits and if your are physically fit).
It has very few visitors.
5. Wat Sri Sawai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By TAIN2013 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The temple consists of three temples located side by side dedicated to the holy Trinity in Hinduism. It is the only Hindu temple in the historical park. The temple is surrounded by a wall and the base and pillars of an assembly hall are visible in front of the temple complex.
Unlike the other temples in the park, the roofs of the three temples in this complex are made of stone and are well preserved. The statues inside unfortunately are gone.
It is a unique temple in the area and is definitely worth a visit.
6. Wat Chang Lom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By TravelerTrecker - Houston
I have read the reviews published by Trip advisor on the Wat Chang Lom. Some reviews refer to the temple located at the Si Satchanalai park and others to the temple located in the east side of the Sukhothai park and the information presented here could confuse the reader. The name of these two temples means shrine surrounded by elephants. I have visited both.
Both temples are impressive.
The Wat Chang Lom located at the Sukhothai Park has been restored and the elephants are really beautiful. They support the structure. It is the most impressive site in the East area of the Sukhothai park and very people few visit it. It is outside the Royal City and close to the Legend hotel. There is no entrance fee.
The Wat Chang Lom located at the Si Satchanalai Park is more impressive. It is a much bigger structure and has three different tiers. The first one has the elephants located at the base of the chedi. The trumps were broken by the Burmese. The second tier has several seated Buddha. The third one supports the first Sri-Lankan-style chedi of the Sukhothai kingdom. It has a very nice frieze of walking Buddha below the ringer spire.The staircase to the second pier represents the journey from earth to heaven. To visit this temple you have to buy a ticket to visit the Si Satchanalai Historical Park (One hour by car from Sukhothai).
Take a look at the photos published by trip advisor. The photos show the two temples and their differences. They are not the same. Although, both are beautiful and worth visiting.
7. Wat Sa Si
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By TravelerTrecker - Houston
We were fortunate as we arrive to Sukhothai at the time of the Loy Krathong festivities. The park was opened at night for free. The Wat Sa Si was beautifully illuminated for the celebrations. It has an impressive seated Buddha and a big chedi behind it. It is one of the highlights of the Royal city. Next day we visited the Royal city during the day time. It is equally impressive. It is surrounded by a mot and its views are beautiful and different from different sections of the park.
8. Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) is a small, family run, home for elephants and all other animals in need. Established in 2006, BLES focuses on saving land from deforestation and helping elephants recover from their traumatic pasts.
Reviewed By Jamie N - Hong Kong, China
My husband and I recently stayed here and cannot speak highly enough of it. I'll start by saying that this is one of the most ethical sanctuaries I have visited and was definitely worth the wait (we make the booking a year in advance). As...MoreThank you so much for your kind and honest review Jamie. All of us here at BLES are looking forward to welcoming you and Andy back - sooner, rather than later! We appreciate your support and compassion so very much - trunks of thanks!
9. Wat Saphan Hin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By TAIN2013 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The temple is quite far from Sukhothai and is located on a high hill making it both difficult to visit and difficult to access once you reach it. There are no steps and the temple can only be reached by climbing a steep stone path. The tough climb is however richly rewarded by the great views from the top.
Apart from the views, the main attraction at the top is a reasonably well preserved Buddha statue with the buildings now mostly in ruins.
Great place to visit if you have the time but you need to be reasonably fit to make it to the top.
10. Wat Sorasak
Overall Ratings
4 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By TravelerTrecker - Houston
This is one of three Sukhothai park monuments surrounded by elephants. The others are Wat Chang Lom in the East site and Wat Chedi si Hong in the south site. Wat Sorasak is close to the royal city, midway to the North site. You can arrive by bike, walking, or tuk tuk. There is no fee. Very few people visit it.
It is nice.
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