Wat Mahathat

Sukhothai

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Completed in the 13th century, the largest wát in Sukhothai is surrounded by brick walls (206m long and 200m wide) and a moat that is believed to represent the outer wall of the universe and the cosmic ocean.

The chedi spires feature the famous lotus-bud motif, and some of the original stately Buddha figures still sit among the ruined columns of the old wí·hăhn (sanctuary). There are 198 chedi within the monastery walls – a lot to explore in what is believed to be the former spiritual and administrative centre of the old capital.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Sukhothai Historical Park

    Sukhothai Historical Park

    0.18 MILES

    The Sukhothai Historical Park ruins are one of Thailand’s most impressive World Heritage sites. The park includes the remains of 21 historical sites and…

  • An ancient pagoda in Si Satchanalai Historical Park.

    Si Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Park

    28.89 MILES

    The ruins of the old cities of Si Satchanalai and Chaliang date from the 13th to 15th centuries. Located 50km north of Sukhothai and set among hills, they…

  • Wat Saphan Hin of Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand.

    Sukhothai Historical Park Western Zone

    2.07 MILES

    The western zone of Sukhothai Historical Park, at its furthest extent 2km west of the old city walls, is the most expansive. In addition to Wat Saphan Hin…

  • Sukhothai Historical Park Central Zone

    Sukhothai Historical Park Central Zone

    0.47 MILES

    This is the historical park’s main zone and home to what are arguably some of the park’s most impressive ruins. On Saturday night much of the central…

  • Wat Saphan Hin

    Wat Saphan Hin

    1.97 MILES

    This wát is located on the crest of a hill that rises about 200m above the plain. Its name means ‘stone bridge’ – a reference to the slate path and…

  • Wat Si Chum

    Wat Si Chum

    0.98 MILES

    This wát contains an impressive mon·dòp (small, square, spired building) with a 15m brick-and-stucco seated Buddha. This Buddha’s elegant, tapered fingers…

  • Sangkhalok Museum

    Sangkhalok Museum

    8.7 MILES

    This small but comprehensive museum is an excellent introduction to ancient Sukhothai’s most famous product and export, its ceramics. The ground floor…

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Nearby Sukhothai attractions

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4. Wat Trapang Ngoen

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This temple compound consists of a classic Sukhothai-style bell-shaped chedi, a stucco-covered Buddha statue and a particularly graceful image of a…

5. Wat Mai

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An Ayuthaya-style brick base surrounded by five small chedi is all that remains of this former Buddhist temple compound.

6. Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

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Near the entrance to the central zone, this museum is a decent starting point for exploring the historical-park ruins. A replica of the famous…

7. Wat Sa Si

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Wat Sa Si sits on an island west of the bronze monument of King Ramkhamhaeng (the third Sukhothai king). It’s a simple, classic Sukhothai-style wát…

8. Wat Si Sawai

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Just south of Wat Mahathat, this Buddhist shrine (dating from the 12th and 13th centuries) features three Khmer-style towers and a picturesque moat. It…