UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Northern Thailand in 3 Days – Day 2
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park contains the ruins of the ancient town of Kamphaeng Phet, an important town in the Sukhothai Kingdom. It was built during the 13th to 17th centuries by the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya empires. Along with Sukhothai Historical Park and Si Satchanalai Historical Park, it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Thailand. I checked out from the Sukhothai hotel, had some English breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and got the same Kok Mhu to Sukhothai bus station only for 10 ฿. A blue songthaew from Sukhothai bus station stops right in front of the North Zone gate of UNESCO World Heritage Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park for around 70 ฿. I reached there at around 10 AM.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY
- Wats of Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
The park is open from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Few must-visit temples of this park are:
- Central Zone: Wat Phra That and Wat Phra Kaew
- North Zone: Wat Awat Yai, Wat Singha, Wat Chang Rob, Wat Phra Non, and Wat Phra Si Iriyabot
Entry to each zone is 100 ฿ but a combined ticket costs 150 ฿ – it is the one which I took.
It is recommended to visit the tourist information center to have an idea of the historical park.
You can rent bicycles for 30 ฿ but I availed the tram service for 100฿.
Temples of the Park
Wat Awat Yai: The first temple if you start from North Zone is Wat Awat Yai, also known as Wat Avasa Yai, which is walkable from the tourist information center.
Wat Singha: Next is Wat Singha, meaning “Temple of the Lions,” though the lion statues in front of the temple are not restored anymore.
Wat Chang Rob: The name means “Temple Surrounded by Elephants,” and the temple resembles a bit with Wat Sorasak of Sukhothai Historical Park.
Wat Phra Non: Next spot is Wat Phra Non which seems to be partially eroded. The name means “Temple of the Reclining Buddha.”
Wat Phra Si Iriyabot: It means “Temple of the four postures of the Buddha.” It is a large temple located a few meters away from the old walled town. It is popular for its Buddhavasa area that has four large Buddha images, but sorry, I missed taking pictures of them. It also has a Sanghavasa area at the back of the wall.
Wat Phra Kaew: Now after exiting from the North Zone, the tram took me outside the park and we entered the Central Zone from another entry from a different part of Kamphaeng Phet town.
The seated and reclining images of Buddha were eye-catching.
The largest temple of the park is Wat Phra Kaew. The name of the temple means “Temple of the Emerald Buddha.”
Wat Phra That: This temple is a few steps ahead of Wat Phra Kaew and is another important temple of the park. Unlike other temples of the park, this Wat has only the Buddhavasa area and no Sanghavasa area.
Kamphaeng Phet to Si Satchanalai
After having a detailed trip of the park, finally I was looking forward to go to the bus station. Thai people have always been so helpful – one of the park officials actually dropped me to the bus station. The bus to Si Satchanalai was at 2.30 PM and cost 110 ฿. It reached the destination at around 5 PM.
Si Satchanalai
The place looks deserted with no hotels around. I somehow managed to talk to a motorbike taxi driver to take me to a nearby hotel for 30 ฿. I also asked him to take me to the historical park the next morning. He dropped me to a hotel called Mukda Resort which was a couple of kms away from the bus stop.
The hotel had all basic amenities like fan, a big bed, clean bathroom with hot water facilities, and also free Wi-Fi.
I would suggest to stay in Sukhothai and visit Si Satchanalai Park as a day trip and not stay here overnight as this place is really deserted.
I somehow managed to have a decent dinner from a local restaurant which was almost 1.5 km from where I was staying. It was a stormy night and the hotel faced electricity issues mostly because of the storm.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 2 in Thailand – Kamphaeng Phet.
- Sukhothai to Kamphaeng Phet and to Si Satchanalai: 180
- Getting around: 40
- Hotel in Si Satchanalai (for 1 night): 300
- Entrance fee to the park: 150
- Tram in the park: 100
- Food: 225
- Miscellaneous: 20
Total expense (roughly): 1015 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Northern Thailand in 3 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
This looked like a fascinating place to explore and learn about the history of the World Heritage Site. I feel like our family should put more UNESCO sites on our bucket list. Glad you had a successful adventure!
Oh yes Kristie, historical parks are really interesting!
I love visiting National Parks and this looks so beautiful. Really useful info too.
This ain’t a national park, but a historical park. I am sure you would love this one!
Wow! These are great photos and definitely intriguing. I love the photos and love visiting World Heritage Centers.
Yes even I look out for UNESCO-listed places when I decide to visit a new country.
WoW! This looks really inspiring. I love historic parks they always make me to take a thousands of photos there and they definitely has something, they has a soul I believe 🙂
True that!
I am visting Thailand next month and now I am sad that why I didn’t include this place in my itinerary. Thanks for sharing this.
Oh that’s fine, you can visit Ayutthaya Historical Park, not very far from Bangkok, you can contact me for details if you are interested in Siamese historical ruins.
I have been to Wat Phra Kaew but I did not know that its a part of the Kamphaeng Historical Park! I would’ve loved to visit Wat Singha as well, if I knew its in the vicinity. It looks really amazing. Climbing the narrow, stone stairs at Wat Chang Rob looks like fun haha.
The Wat Phra Kaew you are talking of is in Bangkok, that has a very interesting history!
Fascinating park and so much rich history. I’ve never seen a buddha made of bricks before — so cool! Glad to see that information signs are also in English.
Tami, if you visit this place, you would love it there.
I didn’t know Northern Thailand has World Heritage Sites. I wonder why it is not more popular? So empty. But then you got great photos.
I guess because the beaches are over-popular.
This is definitely my type of place to visit for its world heritage attractions and historic temples, that chedi with the elephants lining the temple ground is truly stunning to witness
Oh yes, you would love it there.
I’ve been to Northern Thailand and was bummed I missed out on this. But then I looked exactly where it is on a map, and it’s more in the center or Thailand. I flew from Bangkok to Northern Thailand, so missed anything located in the center of the country. I’d suspect that’s why it isn’t more popular – maybe a bit more difficult to get to?
Not sure why these are not so popular, I guess because these are shadowed by the magnificent beaches of the country.
I love these kind of parks. Feels like we time travelled to another era. This one reminds me of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. It’s simply amazing!
Yet to visit Sri Lanka!
Your trip toKamphaeng Phet reminds me a lot of my visit to Ayutthaya. So many remarkable old temples. Your pictures are stunning and the rich Thai history is amazing. Love how you were able to get around with the motorbike driver.
Yes, somehow I manage to find a way always.
Didn’t know about the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park and it sure sounds interesting. Being a history buff, I’m immediately hooked when you mention that something was built during the 13th and the 17th century. 🙂
No wonder you were tempted to climb the Wat Chang Rob stairs. I would do it as well. 🙂
Oh yes, you would love it there.
By the looks of it, the park is huge and if visitors are not good at cycling, then it’s best to take the bus system? Otherwise, is it possible to walk around the site and can it be done in one day you think?
Taking the bus system is possible and yes, it is totally doable in a day.
I’ve have been to this part of Thailand yet, it looks beautiful. Great value with the combined ticket. So many statues it would be hard to choose which pictures to take.
True.
Wow what a beautiful place to explore. I haven’t been to this part of Thailand but it looks well worth the trip. I love the statues
Glad you liked it.