Sukhothai Historical Park Place guide

If some of your favorite hobbies while traveling involve archeology and architecture, then a trip to Sukhothai is a definite must. What was once an ancient kingdom is now a UNESCO World Heritage historical park, and should definitely be on your list of things to see while in Thailand. 

See: One of the most important temples in Sukhothai is the Wat Mahathat. The Wat Mahathat is the spiritual core of the city as well as that of the king, with a view of the royal palace from just across the street.

Do: Feel the serenity and bask in the stunning architecture of the Sukhothai temples, especially when gazing at the lotus-bud chedi. The park is peaceful as well as expansive, and is perfect if you would like to take a step back and reconnect with yourself. 

Learn: Wat Mahathat is a good place to learn the art of insight meditation, with individual classes from English-speaking monks; the time needed for practice tends to vary.

Get around: To truly appreciate a full view of the farthest and most impressive portion of the ruins, we recommend taking a bicycle or motorcycle to thoroughly explore the area. 

Shop: On Sundays, you can find vendors peddling all kinds of amulets, talismans, and even traditional medicine. These serve all kinds of purposes, from good health to prosperity. There is even an amulet to deter enemies!  

Events: If you wish to experience a one-of-a-kind festival, Sukhothai Historical Park is the best place in all of Thailand to celebrate Loy Krathong. On the Western calendar, this commemoration falls on November. Krathongs are made from banana tree trunks or spider lily plants, which the locals offer to the water spirits. During this time, the water and the ruins are bathed in soft, sparkling lights. You can also see the nightly sound and light show afterwards.

To get an immersive experience, check out this overnight historical tour in Sukhothaifor an adventure of a lifetime!

How to get there

• To get to Sukhothai Historical Park, there are trains from Bangkok and Chiang Mai that pass by Phitsanulok. From there, you can ride a bus to New Sukhothai. 
  
  
• Once you arrive, take a songthaew, or rent a bike to get to the park. 
  
  
• To get to Wat Mahathat, you can ride to the Chao Phraya River Sathorn Pier (connected with the BTS Skytrain at Saphan Taksin Station).

Address: Mueang Kao, Mueang Sukhothai District, Sukhothai 64210, Thailand

Operating hours: Sukhothai is open from 6:00am to 9:00pm, while the Wat Mahathat temple grounds are open from 7:00am to 5:00pm.

Entrance fee: The general admission fee is THB 100. If you want to rent a bicycle, gold cart, or ride an electric tram, each has its own additional charge.