Si Satchanalai
Si Satchanalai (ศรีสัชนาลัย) is a city in Lower Northern Thailand, close to Sukhothai. Si Satchanalai, which literally means "City of Good People", was founded in 1250 as the second center of the Sukhothai Kingdom and as a residence of the crown prince in the 13th and 14th centuries. The ruins and monuments of Si Satachanali are maintained by the Fine Art Department of Thailand. Si Satchanali along with Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet are UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Get in
By train
Si Satchanali is not connected with the rail network. The closest train station is in Phitsanulok, about 100 km away.
By car
By car, from the provincial city of Sukhothai, take Hwy 101 (Sukhothai–Sawankhalok-Si Satchanalai route) to km18–19. Turn left to cross the Yom River. Then, turn right for another 1.5 km. The total distance is 68 km. Alternatively, a Sukhothai–Si Satchanalai bus is available.
From Sukhothai
Buses are available from Sukhothai Bus Terminus to Si Satchanali. The buses travel from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai and stop at Si Satchanali. The distance is 55 km, takes about an hour and costs 50 baht. Buses are available from the morning till about noon. For the return journey buses are available from noon and the last bus leaves at about 16:00 (though confirm that).
Get around
Si Satchanali is can be covered by a day trip from Sukhothai or as an independent destination.
Cycle
From 🌍 Si Satchanali Bus Stop (from / to Sukothai). Cycles are available on rent for 20 / 30 bhat. The shop is located next to the bus stop. From the shop cycle southwards and cross the Yom River on a rickety suspension bridge 🌍 Yom River Bridge. to reach the ruins.
Walk
The ruins inside the city walls of Si Satchanali can be covered by foot. Other sites would be best visited with a vehicle.
Tram
An electric tram operates only within the walled complex.
See
The monuments of Si Satchanali are divided into two groups"
- Inside City Wall
- Outside City Wall
Inside City Wall
The walled city lies along the bend of Yom River. The wall have 6 gateways.
- 🌍 Ramnarong Gate. Ramnarong Gate is located on the south - western corner of the city wall.
- 🌍 Chaiyaphruk Gate (north west).
- 🌍 Chanasongkhram Gate (north west).
- 🌍 Saphan Chan Gate (West).
- 🌍 Don Laem Gate (East, next to Yom River).
- 🌍 Tao Mo Gate (North, next to Yom River).
Among the six the Ramnarong Gate is the most accessible with the 🌍 Tourist Information Centre. next to it. There is a toilet and bicycle rental 30 baht. Foreigner entrance is 100 baht and 10 baht for bicycle. A map of the sites is provided.
- 🌍 Wat Nang Phaya (โบราณสถานวัดนางพญา).
- 🌍 Wat Suan Kaeo Uthayan Yai (วัดสวนแก้วอุทยานใหญ่).
- 🌍 Wat Chedi Chet Thaew (วัดเจดีย์เจ็ดแถว).
- 🌍 Wat Suan Keao Utthayan Noi (โบราณสถานวัดสวนแก้วอุทยานน้อย).
- 🌍 Wat Lak Muang (โบราณสถานวัดหลักเมือง).
- 🌍 Wat Udom Pa Sak.
- 🌍 Wat Chang Lom วัดช้างล้อม.
- 🌍 Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng (วัดเขาพนมเพลิง).
- 🌍 Wat Khao Suwankhiri (เขาสุวรรณคิรี).
The walled complex has several other minor sites like 🌍 Wat Wi Han Noi., 🌍 Wat Na Phraeng., 🌍 Wat Som Siew., 🌍 Wat Pa Kham.. Also present are several name lees monuments denoted just by numbers 🌍 Monument No. 25., 🌍 Monumnet No. 26., 🌍 Monument No. 29.
Buy
Outside the Si Satchanali city walls are a number of vendors selling drinks, snacks, ice cream, and other small things popular with the numerous school groups that visit.
There are also silver and antiques shops along the road to the historical park.
Eat
There are a number of local restaurants selling Thai food on the road into the historical park.
Beer Garden: large restaurant that can cater for the number of school/university groups that visit. On the river with nice views. There are two caged "rescued" gibbons at the entrance for some reason.
Go next
Back to Sukhothai on the same road.