About
Sukhothai Historical Park preserves the ruins of Thailand's first capital, set in Mueang Kao within Mueang Sukhothai District, in the province of Sukhothai, northern Thailand. The park spreads across about 70 square kilometers and holds more than 190 temple ruins and monuments, many of them dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known as the place where the remains of Thailand's first kingdom can be seen.
What you will see
The park is large, so most visitors choose a route rather than trying to see everything. The ruins show the classic architecture of the Sukhothai period, including Buddhist temples, stupas and sculpted Buddha images. Many structures are open to walk around, and the site rewards slow walking, as the scale of the old city becomes clearer with each ruin you pass.
Planning your visit
- Getting there: the park lies near the town of Sukhothai, so you can reach it by road from the town centre.
- Time needed: given the distances between ruins, allow at least half a day, and more if you want to see the outlying sites.
- Getting around: bicycles and other ways of covering the distances are commonly used by visitors, and the park's wide grounds make walking in the heat tiring, so plan accordingly.
- Contact: the park can be reached by telephone at +66 55 697 310 for details before you go.
The area around the park
Sukhothai town itself offers places to stay and eat, and it makes a convenient base for exploring the ruins. For visitors interested in the history of the region, the park is a natural starting point for understanding the kingdom that once stood here.