Si Satchanalai

Wat Chang Lom

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.

By bus

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 1 Si Satchanali Bus Stop (from / to Sukothai). (updated Sep 2019) 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 2 Yom River Bridge. (updated Sep 2019) 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.

• 3 Ramnarong Gate. Ramnarong Gate is located on the south - western corner of the city wall. (updated Sep 2019)
• 4 Chaiyaphruk Gate (north west). (updated Sep 2019)
• 5 Chanasongkhram Gate (north west). (updated Sep 2019)
• 6 Saphan Chan Gate (West). (updated Sep 2019)
• 7 Don Laem Gate (East, next to Yom River). (updated Sep 2019)
• 8 Tao Mo Gate (North, next to Yom River). (updated Sep 2019)

Among the six the Ramnarong Gate is the most accessible with the 9 Tourist Information Centre. (updated Sep 2019) 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.

• 1 Wat Nang Phaya (โบราณสถานวัดนางพญา). (updated Sep 2019)
• 2 Wat Suan Kaeo Uthayan Yai (วัดสวนแก้วอุทยานใหญ่). (updated Sep 2019)
• 3 Wat Chedi Chet Thaew (วัดเจดีย์เจ็ดแถว). (updated Sep 2019)
• 4 Wat Suan Keao Utthayan Noi (โบราณสถานวัดสวนแก้วอุทยานน้อย). (updated Sep 2019)
• 5 Wat Lak Muang (โบราณสถานวัดหลักเมือง). (updated Sep 2019)
• 6 Wat Udom Pa Sak. (updated Sep 2019)
• 7 Wat Chang Lom วัดช้างล้อม. (updated Sep 2019)
• 8 Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng (วัดเขาพนมเพลิง). (updated Sep 2019)
• 9 Wat Khao Suwankhiri (เขาสุวรรณคิรี). (updated Sep 2019)

The walled complex has several other minor sites like 10 Wat Wi Han Noi. (updated Sep 2019), 11 Wat Na Phraeng. (updated Sep 2019), 12 Wat Som Siew. (updated Sep 2019), 13 Wat Pa Kham. (updated Sep 2019). Also present are several name lees monuments denoted just by numbers 14 Monument No. 25. (updated Sep 2019), 15 Monumnet No. 26. (updated Sep 2019), 16 Monument No. 29. (updated Sep 2019)

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.