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Si Satchanalai Historical Park
Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located on the bank of the Yom River.

It is open everyday  between 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.

Admission fee is 100 baht each. Alternatively, a 30-day package for visiting all the historical park in province is available at 220 baht. For a group tour. including Wat Chom Chuen and Center for Study and preservation of Sangkhalok Kilns.

The ancient town, formerly called Muang Chaliang, was named Si Satchanalai during the reign of Phra Ruang when a new administrative centre was established to replace Chaliang. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within the park:

Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Temple also called Phra Borommathat Muang Chaliang Temple or Phra Prang Temple, is situated 3 kilometres to the south of ancient Si Satchanalais wall. An immense laterite prang on a square base marks the centre of the temple. A steep staircase in front of the huge prang leads to a room where a reliquary is enshrined.

Khao Phanom Phloeng Temple is a hilltop temple within the old town of Si Satchanalai. A laterite chedi in the centre, a large viharn or image hall in front, and a small sanctuary behind all lie in ruins. Some laterite pillars and a damaged Buddhas’ image constructed of laterite slabs and coated with mortar are seen.

Khao Suwan Khiri Temple is also a hilltop temple situated 200 metres away from Phanom Phloeng Hill. A huge bell-shaped chedi on a 5-tiered base marks the centre of the temple. Ruins of a viharn and chedi, and fragments of huge stucco figures lie scattered on the ground. The similarity between some figures here and those at Wat Chang Lom in the old town of Sukhothai leads to the belief that it was King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of the Sukhothai Kingdom who had this temple constructed.

Chang Lom Temple is an important monument within the old town of Si Satchanalai. A huge bell-shaped chedi supported by 39 elephants, with 4 of them at 4 cardinal points elaborately decorated, marks the centre of the temple. Above the chedis base, there are niches enshrining images of the Buddha subduing Mara.

Chedi Chet Thaeo Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Sukhothai Province. Chedis of different artistic styles and influence were built within the area of this temple. Mural paintings, seriously damaged, are still to be seen in some chedis.

Suan Kaeo Utthayan Yai Temple is located near Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo with only a dirt road in between. A large image hall lies in remains within this temple. The monastery is also called Wat Kao Hong or the 9 roomed temple.

Nang Phaya Temple is famous for its delicate stucco reliefs on the remains of the northwestern wall of the 7 roomed viharn or image hall. The pillars of this viharn are decorated with unglazed ceramic designs. The central laterite chedi is surrounded by lampposts and accessible by a set of narrow stairs.

Suan Kaeo Utthayan Noi Temple is the only temple within the old town of Si Satchanalai with a brick building in front. The ruins of this temple consist of a whole laterite image hall with a laterite roof.

Si Satchanalai National Park
This was proclaimed a national park on 8 May, 1981. With a total area of 213 square kilometres in Amphoe Si Satchanalai and Amphoe Thung Saliam of Sukhothai Province, Si Satchanalai National Park offers trekking routes through waterfalls and caves. The parks geography is mainly high, undulating mountains covered by a tropical jungle. Interesting tourist spots in the park include Tat Dao and Tat Duean Waterfalls, about 3 kilometres and 500 metres from the park headquarters, respectively. The park also has a hot spring, two caves called Tham Khangkhao (bats cave), and Tham Thara Wasan.

Si Satchanalai National Park is about 100 kilometres from Sukhothai via route no. 1113 and route no. 1294 and can be reached by local bus from Amphur Si Satchanalai. The bus leaves for the park once a day and costs 30 baht. It takes 50 minutes for the journey. The park admission is Adult 200 baht Child 100 baht. There is accommodation for tourists. For reservations, please contact the National Park Section, Royal Forestry Department at Tel: 0 2562 0760 or 0 5561 9214-5 www.dnp.go.th.