Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

The park features well-preserved ruins, including impressive city walls, temples, and Buddha statues, set amidst lush greenery. The park is roughly divided into a “Town Section” and of “Forest Section”.

The Town Section

The smaller, and most visited section, of the historical park lies to the north of Kamphaeng Phet new town and houses two of the best-preserved and best-known temples.

The closest entrance is beside the city pillar shrine at the northern end of town and it is best visited in the morning before it gets too hot. The park is cared for by the Fine Arts Department and it is surrounded by dense forest that is also worth exploring if you have the time.

Set within the city walls, the large Wat Phra Kaeo is the most significant temple, with Kamphaeng Phet’s most iconic image of two seated and one reclining Buddha finished in stucco. These are an exception as most Buddha images that still exist in the park are made of laterite and show no facial features whatsoever.

To the north of Wat Phra Kaeo, the ancient royal palace of Sa Mon with its square earthen wall is another draw. Surrounding the walls are moats featuring a pond in the middle. Today, however, there are no standing constructions left.

The large temple adjacent to Wat Phra Kaeo is Wat Phra That, which has three bell-shaped chedi and the brick foundations of temple buildings.

The Forest Section

The temples in this huge section of the historical park are known as aranyik, or forest, temples, and there’s both a southern and northern gate giving access to this area.

There are ruins of over a dozen temples shaded by towering trees that create a magical atmosphere, and it would be easy to spend an entire day exploring the site. The most-visited temples are Wat Chang Rop, Wat Phra Non and Wat Phra Sri Ariyabot.

Wat Chang Rop is situated on a hill towards the north end of the historical park. The partially collapsed chedi is supported by 68 half-bodied elephants and is very photogenic. You can climb the ruined chedi for a nice view of the surrounds but be sure to take a drink with you as the midday sun can dehydrate you on the climb.

Also known as Wat Phra Yun, Wat Phra Si Ariyabot contains four Buddha images in different postures (reclining, walking, standing and sitting), though the standing Buddha is the only one that remains more or less intact, looking down with a blissful gaze from a great height.

At the southern entrance to this section is Wat Phra Non, of which the remains of a sala (shelter), toilet, bathroom and well are still visible. It was constructed in the 15th and the 16th centuries.

Aside from these temples, there are numerous other sites that are rarely visited, such as Wat Ma Khai and Wat Arvasa Yai, where you’re likely to be completely alone with your thoughts.