Phitsanulok Things to Do

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This temple complex lies across the busy main road from Wat Yai and is well known for its 600 year old brick chedi that dates back to the time of King Trailokanat (r. 1448-1488). The chedi is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha. However, there is no access to the chedi's spire.

In 1463, King Trailokanat of Ayutthaya moved the capital of his empire to Phitsanulok, and ordered the establishment of new temples, as well as the restoration of existing older ones. Wat Ratchaburana dates back to the beginning of his reign in Phitsanulok. He ordered the construction a chedi and other buildings on the temple's campus. Today, the impressive chedi is nearly all that remains of the original construction. However, other buildings have been constructed among the ruins. The main temple building contains some wonderful wall frescoes and outside it is a long boat dating from the reign of King Rama V.

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Wat Nang Phaya is located on the eastern bank of the Nan River, opposite Wat Yai. It is said to have been built when Phitsanulok was ruled by King Trailokanat (1448-1488). It has no temple, but it is known for its Phrara Nang Phya, which are votive tablets found within the pagoda's repository.

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Phitsanulok's main tourist attraction is Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, known locally simply as Wat Yai (the big temple). This famous temple, built in 1357, is home to the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, which is one of the most revered Buddha figures in Thailand, and the official symbol of the entire Phitsanulok Province (an exact replica exists in the Marble Temple in Bangkok, and another in Wat Saranat Thammaram in Rayong.) The beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid doors were built in 1756 by order of King Boromakot of Ayutthaya. The Buddha Chinnarat National Museum, located on the temple grounds, houses a sizeable collection of Sukhothai period art.

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Located opposite the Folk Museum, this interesting foundry specialises in casting bronze Buddha images and is the only establishment of this kind in the province. Craftsperson’s specialise in the reproduction of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat Buddha image that you can find, for real at Wat Yai. I was shown around the foundry and workshop by a woman who spoke some English and who explained the creation process. The largest Buddha images take up to a year to make and cost 2,000,000 baht (about US$60,000)!

Open: 8am-5pm. Admission: Free.

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This Folklore Museum hosts a collection of folk arts collected by Sergeant-Major Dr. Thawee Buranakhet and includes crafts, basketry, pottery and ancient kitchen utensils. The museum also houses a collection of traps for catching snakes, birds, tigers and porcupines. You can see the traditional style of Thai houses with their interior, kitchen utensils plus weapons, like swords and old rifles. Quite interesting but a bit out of the way but it warrants a visit as it's opposite the interesting Buddha Casting Foundry.

Open: 8.30am-4.30pm Tues-Sun, closed Mondays. Admission: 50 baht.

The most special thing about this temple s that it has a gold corn cob shaped prang(?) or chedi(?). Most that i've seen throughout Thailand so far are concrete or other material but this really stands out. It glitters for miles around, especially when you consider that nearby are all low rise buildings. Also, the gold Buddha image within the temple is set on a black background, making it look what i thought quite fashionable.
Most people visit this temple to offer prayers and such, and so miss out on taking in the beautiful structure of the temple. I 'slipped' in right to the very back of this temple and snapped this picture that you see here; i might be the only one to take a pic at that angle!

One vehicle which very old style but attractive and non pollution. If you ‘d like to sight seeing around by no walking and not so rush, rickshaw or Sam Raw (three wheel bicycle) is a good choice. For price ,it’s around 50-150 B/trip , depends on the distance. The route always pass train station, clock tower,river bank ,Rajaburana temple and Mahathat temple. Try to discount ,if the price ‘s not reasonable. And the best time for rickshaw adventure ‘s evening to night time.

It’s one of the Phitsanuloke symbol. There’re no evidence of floating settlement in this area. Some siad they came by their career as floating merchant,when the commercial on river was became less important, they began to settle the floating community in this area. Originally, it was a big community with 300 floating houses,but from the government legal and pollution. The number was decreased and become a small community ,nowaday. And some become to restuarants which may change the local community to commercial.
For building floating house, originally,they use a numorous bamboo trunks for floating and house body. When bamboo ‘s higher price, fuel tanks and zinc plate roof replaced . Althought , it changed much for now,but it may tell how history go.
To see floating houses, Chom Nan public park is a good place.