Cycling Ancient Sukhothai

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After walking through the town centre and across the bridge we hopped on a bus which took us 14kms away to the site of the Old City of Sukhothai. It's a Unesco listed World Heritage site which is the vast ruins of the original capital city of Thailand and an ancient Kingdom dating back to the 12th Century. The setting is huge, park-like, well maintained and best explored by bicycle. After choosing our rental bikes we set off into the beautiful park and spent the day riding down shaded paths and beside lakes and moats, and stopped to wander through the crumbling temples that we came across. We spent most of the day in the main park but also ventured further afield into the more rural, less restored part of the site. It was great fun cruising through the countryside, past verdant green rice paddies, herds of cattle and ramshackle family homes. After a while Phoebe's little legs started to get tired and she ended up having a buster, but luckily the only damage was a slightly grazed knee. Unfortunately she didn't feel like riding after that, so she hopped on the back of my bike, and Todd somehow carried her bike across his handlebars as we headed back to the main gate to refuel and rest for an hour. After some noodles and an ice-block Phoebe mustered up the energy to return to the park for some more bike riding fun. She has been such a little champion! The afternoon was lovely. As the sun started to go down and the tourists dispersed we headed out to see the biggest buddha in the park. It was stunning and definitely worth the journey. Having enjoyed the day but feeling pretty exhausted we cruised back to the entrance, returned the bikes and grabbed another bus for the trip back to New Sukhothai, and on to our guesthouse.

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Photos

Wat Si Sawai
Dad and kids at the entrance to Wat Si Sawai, Old Sukhothai.

Transport to the Ruins
The truck/bus we took to old Sukhthai.

Country Road
Looking for some of the more remote temple ruins

Cycling away from the main park
It was cool cycling through the country side, then coming across some ruins, a great contrast.

Buddha Face
Close up of a Buddha at Wat Saphan Hin, Old Sukhothai.

Contemplation
Jasper taking in the surroundings

Stairs up to Wat Saphan Hin
The original slate stone stairs lead up the hill to Wat Saphan Hin.

KIds Running
Phoebe and Jasper going for a gallop around 12-13 century shrine built by the Khemers -Wat Si Siwai.

Good way to see the Park
The kids loved cycling around the shady roads in old Sukhothai.

Buddha Hand
Close up of the long slender hand of the 15m high seated Buddha at Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai Historical Park.

Inside the mon-dop at Wat Si Chum
Sitting at the feet of the 15m Buddha.

Wat Mahathat
The main central Wat, Sukhathai Historical Park

Our Guesthouse in Sukhothai
Original family home made of teak wood