 |
Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located approximately 55 kilometers north of Sukhothai town. Tourists are able to take Sukhothai – Chiang Rai bus (leaving at 6.40, 9.00, 10.30 and 11.30 am.) The bus takes 1 hour and tourists are suggested to rent a bicycle to explore the ancient cities.
 Sri Satchanalai. Sri Satchanalai, or at that time called Chalieng, was the major town on the Yom river basin before. There is evidence of settlement of the Thai people here. Those are the human skeletons, bronze ware, polished stone, pottery and so on. After Sukhothai became the Thai capital, Si Satchanalai became the major town under Sukhothai. Especially it was located in the strategic location, such as on the river bank. In the middle there were mountains – Suwankhiri and Phanompleang Hills. So enemy could be seen far away. Due to its significant, key royal family members were sent from Sukhothai to rule Si Satchanalai. Even under Ayutthaya kingdom, Si Satchanalai was important to both Ayutthaya and Lanna (the northern kingdom, which is now the upper North of Thailand). So there were several battles between both kingdoms to occupied Si Satchanalai. In Si Satchanalai, therefore the combination of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Lanna arts and architecture are evidenced. Apart from that, it was the place to make pottery ware that unique for Sukhothai, called Sangkaloke. This area was once the major place to make pottery, both for use domestically and export to overseas, especially China.
The below itinerary lists the places where you can visit in order from the bus stop (where you have to come back and take the bus back to Sukhothai). From the bus stop, there is bicycle shop where you rent the bike, then across the suspension bridge. From the other side of the river, you can start your journey………
- Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat – an immense laterite prang on a square base and the stucco of the Walking Buddha image, regarded as the most beautiful Buddha image.
- Archaeological excavation site – observing 15 human skeletons dating back to the late pre-historic age.
- Temples in Si Satchanalai Historical Parks – there are 7 temples in this main park, but below are some significant ones worth visiting.
- Wat Chang Lom – beautiful main stupa or Chedi in Sri Lankan style, surrounding by elephants at the base. Try to count the number of elephants!!
- Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo - ‘the temple of 7 rows of chedi’
- Wat Nang Phaya - beautiful vihara decorated by with highly elaborate stucco, in the art of the early Ayutthaya period.
- Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng and Wat Suwankiri – the temples are located on two connected hills overlooking Si Satchanalai Historical Park.
If you still have energy left, take a bicycle ride about 6.5 kilometers north of Si Satchanalia Historical Park to Baan Koh Noi to observe the original Sangkhalok kilns at Sangkhalok Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center.
พิกัด GPS อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์ศรีสัชนาลัย : 17.43173,99.78589 |
 |
