6 Best Sights in Northern Thailand, Thailand

Sukhothai grew wealthy on the fine ceramics it produced from the rich earth around the neighboring town of Sawankhalok. The ceramics were so prized that they were offered as gifts from Sukhothai rulers to the imperial courts of China, and they found their way as far as Japan. Fine examples of 1,000-year-old Sawankhalok wares are on display at this museum. The exhibits include pieces retrieved from the wrecks of centuries-old vessels that were headed to China and Japan but sank in typhoons and storms. Sukhothai Historical Park contains the ruins of many kilns used to fire the types of pottery on view here.

Si Satchanalai was a sister city to Sukhothai back in their heyday; it was almost a mini Sukhothai. The historic park consists of eight main sites that can be explored by bicycle or on foot. Wat Chang Lom, with its unique stupa, is adorned with figures of 39 standing elephants around the base.

Near the entrance to the Historic Park, Wat Chang Lom shows strong Sri Lankan influences. The 39 elephant buttresses are in much better condition than their counterparts at the same-named temple in Sukhothai. The main chedi was completed by 1291. As you climb the stairs that run up the side, you'll come across seated images of the Buddha.

This complex to the south of Wat Chang Lom has seven rows of ruined chedis, some with lotus-bud tops that are reminiscent of the larger ones at Sukhothai. The chedis contain the ashes of members of Si Satchanalai's ruling family.

To the southeast of Wat Chedi Jet Thaew, this temple has well-preserved floral reliefs on its balustrade and stucco reliefs on the viharn wall.

As you leave the park, stop at this wat to see a Si Satchanalai image of Lord Buddha, one of the few still remaining.