Wat Sangkawat is worth a visit for the solitudeSukhothai has many grand temples. Most look clean, neat and well kept for near on 400 year old buildings. On the outskirts of Sukhothai you will find various ruins that are no more than bricks or broken stone blocks. Not so exciting. There are however two somewhat hidden temples in Sukhothai’s Historic park worth seeking out. If you like a little bit of that abandoned temple feel. The two temples are simply known as Wat Sangkawat. Last of Sukhothai’s northern temples Wat Sangkawat is located in the far north of Sukhothai Historical Park. You really will need a bicycle or motorbike to get there. The road is also rough so be prepared for some bumps. It’s not far though and really not hard to find. Sunset is a particularly good time to visit here. Though don’t stay out here alone in the dark. Like the information on this page? Check out my latest guide to Sukhothai Historical Park and make the most out of your trip! The First of Wat Sangkawat’s templesOpposite some rice padi’s is the first of Sangkawat’s temple complex. It’s not very exciting and is definitely the lesser of the two areas. Nonetheless do hop off your bike for a quick look.  All that remain here are just over a dozen columns that once supported a temple roof. It’s worth walking over as you’ll get a close up look at the very weather untreated stone blocks that remain. The porous stone is riddled with holes and almost looks like it might have worms! As you may guess this is simply a form of erosion from the elements. The Second of Wat Sangkawat’s templesContinue up the road for another 50 feet or so and you’ll see the back of a headless Buddha statue. Take a right here and veer around to the front of the main temple ruins.  There’s a little wooden bridge you’ll need to cross over. It’s dilapidated but still seems to function well. Across the bridge and you’ll be in a very small compound of several broken pillars. The main attraction is the large seated buddha with no head or history.  There is no more to the Wat Sangkawat complex. Unless of course you visit here during sunset. Then the dull grey stone lights up into golden hues that bring majesty back to the temples. With rice padi’s to the rear it’s hard to believe the main road is just off to the front.
Is Wat Sangkawat worth visiting?For many just looking to see the “big” temples in Sukhothai such a place as this will be boring and best skipped. For others who like a little bit of peace and solitude while enjoying untouched temples it’s worth a quick trip Wat Sangkawat is simply a small temple complex that hasn’t been renovated. That is just one of the reasons that makes it so charming. If you are into these things that is.
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Nice find Dave. Reminds be of the ruins around Angkor and how you could just “bump” into one anywhere.
Sukhothai is pretty much like that too.
The sunset on the statues back photo is some lovely.
Sunsets in Sukhothai are generally really nice!
Great to see so much of Sukhothai, a place not so many people know about I think!
It’s a shame it’s not so well known, then again I like the peace and quiet there :)
Glad to know about them. Did not visit them while in Sukhothai.
Maybe next time!
Nice discovery! It looks lovely with the sun on its back. I’d like to see some rice padi!
I’ll publish a photo with a rice padi for you soon!
Old ruins in the middle of nowhere in Thailand … quite a find. Did you discover this yourself or did you use a map?
The maps to Sukhothai are not that great. I followed the small wooden arrow signs in the park!
Looks like an undiscovered gem.