|
Pleasantly located on the east bank of the River Nan, PHITSANULOK makes a handy base for exploring Sukhothai, but only holds a couple of significant sights itself. The fourteenth-century Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat (aka Wat Mahathat or Wat Yai) is home to the country's second most important Buddha image and stands at the northern limit of town on the east bank of the River Nan (local bus #1 or #3 from the city bus centre); because the image is so sacred, shorts and skimpy clothing are forbidden, and there's an entrance fee of B10. The holy statue itself, Phra Buddha Chinnarat, is a very lovely example of late-Sukhothai style, with a distinctive halo; it is said to have wept tears of blood during a thirteenth-century war. Across town on Thanon Wisut Kasat, southeast of the train station, the Sergeant Major Thawee Folklore Museum (Tues-Sun 8.30am-4.30pm; donation) is one of the best ethnology museums in the country and includes a reconstruction of a typical village house, traditional musical instruments, and weaving paraphernalia. Take local bus #4 to the Wisut Kasat junction with Thanon Ramesuan, then walk five minutes. Cross the road from the museum and walk south about 50m for a rare chance to see Buddha images being forged at the Buranathai Buddha Bronze-Casting Foundry , located behind a big green metal gate at 26/43 Thanon Wisut Kasat. The foundry, which also belongs to Dr Thawi (Thawee), is open during working hours and anyone can drop in to watch the stages involved in moulding and casting a Buddha image.
Your Tip for Phitsanulok
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Phitsanulok - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Phitsanulok - visit the main Phitsanulok forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Phitsanulok webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
