Located 65 km from Sukhothai, the park contains temples that are less well preserved. Most are reduced to a few basic elements, yet it's a beautiful place for a bike ride through the forest, where you can discover traces of its past. Like its famous neighbors, the parks of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes temples from the same era. It's divided into two parts: one, near the city, is often called the old city and is home to Wat Phra Kaew, known for its three magnificent Buddha statues – two seated and one reclining. The other part, located in the forest, is the Arunyik area. A few kilometers further on, it's ideal for cycling (bike rentals are available at the entrance). Here you'll find numerous temple ruins. Among the most interesting are Wat Ariyabot with its standing Buddha, Wat Singh, and Wat Chang Rop, whose chedi is supported by elephant statues. You should allow at least 2.5 hours to explore the entire park. The staff at the information center (in the Aranyik district) are happy to give you tips about the park and the entire region, which is rarely mentioned in guidebooks but is full of surprises. Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is well worth a visit, as is the town itself, which attracts few tourists. It impresses with its hospitality and tranquility. A visit can easily be combined with a trip to Sukhothai. The park there is wilder and more natural. We were particularly impressed by the Buddha statues at Wat Phra Kaew. If we had to choose between Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, we would choose Kamphaeng Phet. Anyone who loves history, nature, and historical sites will be thrilled to visit all three.

At the entrance to the Aranyik area, you can rent bicycles for 30 THB if you don't have your own. The entry fee is 10 THB for a bicycle, 20 THB for a motorbike, and 50 THB for a car. Open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Entrance fee: 100 THB per area or 150 THB for both areas (on the same day).

Buses from Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, Phitsanulok, or Nakhon Sawan will take you to the park entrance, but we recommend spending at least one night there. A round trip on the same day, even from Sukhothai, would be long and tiring.

How to get there

How do you get to Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park? Buses from Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, Phitsanulok, or Nakhon Sawan go to the park entrance, but we recommend an overnight stay. A round trip on the same day would be long and tiring, even from Sukhothai.