Northern Thailand · Sukhothai
Si Satchanalai travel guide: elephant temples and celadon kilns
Si Satchanalai was Sukhothai's sister city on the Yom River, and its historical park is quieter, greener and more spread out than Sukhothai's. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory counts 283 archaeological sites in the area, including the old celadon kilns whose 'Sangkhalok' ware was traded across Asia. Few visitors come, which is the point.
- Suggested time
- 1 day
- Where to stay
- Day trip from Sukhothai
- Season and timing
- November to February is most comfortable; the park is wooded but the sites are spread out.
The short answer
Make Si Satchanalai a full day from Sukhothai, about 80 kilometres away. See Wat Chang Lom and its 39 stucco elephants, climb to the hilltop temples, cross to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat at Chaliang by the river, and finish at the kiln site. The directory lists opening hours of 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00. You need your own transport or a driver.
Wat Chang Lom
The emblem of the park, Wat Chang Lom has a bell-shaped chedi on a square base ringed by stucco elephants. The directory counts 39: 37 representing the factors of enlightenment and two for liberation.
Walk the base clockwise, as local people do, and look at how each elephant emerges from the wall. Do not climb on the monument.
The old city and the hilltop temples
Inside the walls, the old city on the right bank of the Yom was built as a new administrative centre in place of the earlier town of Chaliang, according to the directory. Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, with its rows of small chedis, stands close to Wat Chang Lom.
Steps lead up a low hill to temples overlooking the city. The directory lists the park as open 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00; check hours and fees at the entrance.
Make time for the local food
What to eat and where to look
Sukhothai noodles
Thin rice noodles with pork, long beans and peanuts in a sweet-sour seasoning, found at roadside shops on the way.
- Where to look
- Noodle shops in Si Satchanalai district and Sukhothai.
- Fit it into your day
- Lunch during the midday closure.
Contains peanuts and pork.
Simple rice dishes
Rice with stir-fries or curries at small restaurants near the park.
- Where to look
- Near the park entrance and Chaliang.
- Fit it into your day
- A quick lunch between 12:00 and 13:00.
Choice is limited; bring water and snacks.
Fresh fruit
Seasonal fruit from roadside stalls in the Sukhothai countryside.
- Where to look
- Stalls along the main road from Sukhothai.
- Fit it into your day
- A snack for the drive back.
Seasonal; wash or peel.
Chaliang and Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
A few kilometres down the river, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat at Chaliang is older than Si Satchanalai itself. The directory notes archaeological evidence of at least 800 years and the influence of the Khmer period, and describes a laterite prang in early Ayutthaya style.
It is still a royal temple, also known as Wat Phra Prang; dress modestly. The riverside setting is especially calm in the late afternoon.
Celadon kilns
The directory counts ancient celadon kilns among the park's sites. Si Satchanalai's ceramics, known as Sangkhalok ware, were made here and shipped widely; the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum in Sukhothai and the Sangkhalok Museum show finished pieces.
Visiting a kiln site shows the scale of the industry. Ask at the park entrance which sites are currently open.
Getting there
Si Satchanalai is about 80 kilometres north of Sukhothai town, according to the directory, and Chaliang about 75 kilometres. Buses running north from Sukhothai pass the turn-off, but a car or driver lets you move between the scattered sites.
Within the park, bicycles and small trams make the circuit easier in the heat.
Practical questions
How far is Si Satchanalai from Sukhothai?
About 80 kilometres north of Sukhothai town, according to the directory.
What are the opening hours?
The directory lists 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00 every day. Check at the entrance.
Is Si Satchanalai worth visiting after Sukhothai?
Yes, if you enjoyed Sukhothai: it is quieter and more wooded, with the elephant temple and kiln sites as highlights.
How many elephants are at Wat Chang Lom?
The directory counts 39 stucco elephants around the base.
Sources and checks before you travel
Reference sources for the version dated 1 October 2026. Confirm opening times, access, transport and conditions for your travel dates.
- Thailand Tourism Directory: Si Satchanalai Historical Park ↗ — opens in a new tab
- Thailand Tourism Directory: Wat Chang Lom ↗ — opens in a new tab
- Thailand Tourism Directory: Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat ↗ — opens in a new tab
- Thailand Tourism Directory: Ramkhamhaeng National Museum ↗ — opens in a new tab
Photo credits
The elephants around the base of Wat Chang Lom.
Photograph: Gary Todd — opens in a new tab · Public domain — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
Wat Chang Lom, Si Satchanalai Historical Park.
Photograph: Gary Todd — opens in a new tab · Public domain — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, near Wat Chang Lom.
Photograph: Gary Todd — opens in a new tab · Public domain — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat at Chaliang.
Photograph: Kriengsak Jirasirirojanakorn — opens in a new tab · CC BY-SA 4.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
A model of a Sangkhalok kiln from Si Satchanalai, at the Sawanvoranayok Museum.
Photograph: Chainwit. — opens in a new tab · CC BY 4.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
