Finally it happened! We were able to spend two days among a large number of ancient temples with their no less ancient energy. It so happened that we like old and dilapidated temples much more than new and glamorous gilded. It is especially pleasant that there are dozens of them in the historical park of Sukhothai, which means that the entire tourist flow is evenly distributed, and it does not even reach some that are remotely located. And just such temples have to get together in peace and quiet, talking about life and meditation.
The content of the article
- 1 About Sukhothai
- 2 Central part of the historical park Sukhothai
- 3 North part of Sukhothai Historical Park
- 4 Western part of Sukhothai Historical Park
- 5 South of the Sukhothai Historical Park
- 6 The modern city of Sukhothai
About Sukhothai
Detailed information to visit and maps of Sukhothai can be seen here: Sukhothai Historical Park - how to get, where to stay
Sukhothai - the former capital of the powerful and powerfulThe Thai kingdom, which existed for about 120 years, and this is where the Thai civilization originated - the alphabet was introduced, Ceylon Buddhism spread, a school of sculpture was created. On the territory of Sukhothai, there are about 200 architectural objects, the construction of which began in the 13th century.
We did not think about it at first, but thenunderstood, because this is the real place of power. Some temples are 700 years old, and people throughout the centuries came and lined these stone structures. Therefore, it makes sense to go to Sukhothai not in order to run around all the temples within the 3 hours allotted for the excursion, but in order to take some time off from worldly vanity.
I will not describe all the temples we visited, but I will tell only about some of the most memorable ones we spent some time in.
Sukhothai Historical Park is divided into three parts- central, northern and western, and is located 15 km from the modern city of Sukhothai. Entry is 100 baht each (there is no single ticket). There is also the southern part, but it is free and the most destroyed.
Central part of the historical park Sukhothai
The central part is the most popular, andis a good park area with ponds, perfect for walking or reading books in the shade of tall trees. This is where all the excursions come, so there are more people here. The central part is surrounded by an earth mound and moats with water.
Central part of the park Sukhothai
Central part of the park Sukhothai
Wat Sa Si with sedentary Buddha
Channels around the square of the Sukhothai Historical Park
The most interesting temple in the central partSukhothai Historical Park - Wat Mahathat, a former temple attached to the king’s palace. Honestly, the temple does not turn its name to language, because there is a whole architectural complex with dozens of buildings (towers, stupas, burial mounds) and two standing Buddhas and one sitting, three in one, so to speak.
Wat Mahathat - the largest temple in Sukhothai
Wat Mahathat to Sukhothai
Wat mahathat
Wat Mahathat to Sukhothai
Wat Mahathat to Sukhothai
Wat Mahathat at sunset
Khemer temple of Wat Si Sawai in the south centralthe parts are distinguished by their three corn-turrets, chosen by pigeons, as a result of which, the land next to them resembles a bird cage floor that was not cleaned for several months.
Wat Si Sawai in Sukhothai
Inside the cup - we look up
Pigeons dirtied the whole Wat Si Sawai
North part of Sukhothai Historical Park
Wat Si Chum - because of him we came toSukhothai Here is the famous sitting statue of Buddha, showing a gesture of his gilded hand - go and you are the demon Mara, do not seduce me, the earth is a witness to me (otherwise the pose is called “pacifying the passions”).
Here we sat for a couple of hours, a very nice place. But, unfortunately, heavily visited, the flow of tourists did not stop for a minute.
Wat si chum
Wat Si Chum - Big Seated Buddha
Wat Si Chum - Big Seated Buddha
Wat Si Chum - Big Seated Buddha
Wat Phra Phai Luang next to Wat Si Chum
Wat phra phai luang
Here you can consider the structure of the stone Buddha from the inside, in the section, apparently did not have time to restore, or decided to leave as is.
Wat Phra Phai Luang - the filling of the Buddha
Wat Phra Phai Luang at Sukhothai
Western part of Sukhothai Historical Park
There are several temples in a row here, andeach of them is on a hill, to which stone stairs lead. The most interesting is Wat Saphan Hin, which means Temple Stone Bridge. And indeed, the ladder, as the bridge goes into the sky.
The sensations above are breathtaking - the wind blows, liftingheaps of leaves and waving hair, overlooking the valley where the park of Sukhothai is located, around the mountain, and next to it stands a huge Buddha with a raised hand. This gesture means “elephant stand, calm your passion,” so he stopped the insane elephant sent to him.
There are few people here, so it's time to think, enjoy nature and join the antiquities of Thailand.
Western part of Sukhothai
Wat Saphan Hin on the mountain
Stone path leads to Wat Saphan Hin
Wat Saphan Hin at Sukhothai
Wat Saphan Hin - backups so that the Buddha does not fall
Wat Saphan Hin - mountain views
Wat saphan hin
Towards the wind
Wat Chedi Ngam next to Wat Saphan Hin
Path to Wat Chedi Ngam
South of the Sukhothai Historical Park
This part is good there, that there are even fewer people here than in the west. Here we were also stuck for several hours in the shade, kindly provided by the temple. Quiet, calm, good.
Wat Chetuphon in the southern part of Sukhothai
And how it does not fall over the years?
The modern city of Sukhothai
In the last century it burned down and was rebuilt. Visually, the most common Thai city. Watch in it is absolutely nothing. Somewhat alienated by the fact that poverty for some reason will be more. At least near our guesthouse there were slums that I had never seen before. Whether this area was so, or whether the welfare of ordinary people in this city is not very good.
Sukhothai City - Slums
Sukhothai City - Slums
Sukhothai City - Slums
Sukhothai City
Sukhothai is quite ordinary
Tuk-tuki here inverted
