Kamphaeng Phet Things to Do

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This is one of the most picturesque and, therefore, famous temples as it's located in the middle of the Historic Park. It is a large royal temple near a site believed to have been a palace. The temple itself was used on important city events and had no monks in residence. Major features include the principal Chedi with a lion-adorned base and a round Chedi with an elephant-adorned base. There are also other Chedis of different bases and remains of several chapels. But its most redeeming feature is its reclining Buddha in front of two seated Buddhas.

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This is another of the famous temples in Kamphaeng Phet and is located in the forest area to the north of the city walls. It's famous round Ceylonese style chedi is built on top of a 31-metre square base which is furnished with 68 stucco elephants. There is a staircase on each side with lion sculptures. There are also traces of demon and female dancers.

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This is one of the famous ruins at Kamphaeng Phet and is located in the forest area to the north of the city walls. Originally, the temple enclosure was in a beautiful condition which earned it the name Kamphang Ngam, meaning "beautiful wall". In the compound there is a large vihara with a balcony at the front, back with staircases. Next to this is a chedi. Another 6 chedis are found in the monk's living quarters.

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Located to the north of Wat Phra Si Ariyabot, this is believed to have been constructed during both the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. With laterite walls, it has a square-shaped principal Chedi with arches on four sides. In front of the Ubosot are ornamental lion and Naga figurines.

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This is located to the north of Wat Phra Non in the forest to the north of the city walls. Walls on the four sides are of laterite materials with an entrance also made of laterite. A Mondop structure houses Buddha statues in four postures - walking, sitting, standing and reclining in the Sukhothai artistic style. Today only the statue in the standing posture remains.

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This is the first major ruin, which dates from the 15th-16th century, after entering through the entrance in the forest to the north of the city walls. It is fenced in by laterite walls on four sides. At the front of the temple is a square-shaped pond, bathrooms and an ancient floating pavilion which is supported by a large laterite column. The entire column was cut out in one single piece from its source and measures 1.1 meters on each side and 6.4 meters in height, the largest such stone in the country. A lion sculpture and Sema stones (boundary stones) can still be seen. The large Vihan which once housed the Reclining Buddha has crumbled entirely.

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The Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with old Sukhothai. Chakangrao, the ancient Kamphaeng Phet town, had the same town planning concept as old Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai, with separate zones for religious sites both within and outside of town limits. Structures are usually large and made of laterite. Religious sites on the west bank of the Ping River at Nakhon Chum are built of bricks and of smaller size but the main area is on the east bank within the city walls which are 2,200 metres long. Within this area is Wat Phra Kaeo which is one of the main ruins and features some wonderful Buddha images including one that's reclining. To the north of this area are a concentration of remains which are lie in the a forest and include the impressive Wat Phra Non, Wat Phra Si Ariyabot (with its standing Buddha), Wat Singh and Wat Chang Rop (with its impressive elephant statues). The best way of visiting them is by hiring a bicycle which I did from my guest house - the Three J Guest House (see my accommodation tip).

Open: 8am-5pm. Admission: 40 baht (which covers all the ruins).

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The City walls and old fortifications mark the boundary of the rectangular town area, measuring 300-700 metres wide and 2,200 metres long. The best place to see them is along the northern wall when you leave the Historic Park to get to some of the other ruins. Along this particular section is Pom Phet which is one of the turrets. It dates from the 15th century and is arrow-shaped.