Sukhothai is credited as the birthplace of the Thai kingdom and its first capital.

Now a UNESCO historical park it boasts nearly 200 ruins that beautifully illustrate the development of Thai architecture and religious art, in a period known as the Golden Age of Thai civilisation.

Other accomplishments during this period were the establishment of Theraveda Buddhism as the national religion (replacing Khmer Hinduism) and the introduction of an early form of the Thai alphabet.

Thailand's most impressive World Heritage Site

Despite being perhaps Thailand’s most impressive World Heritage site Sukhothai is generally quiet and so a wonderfully relaxing place to tour. Located in a beautiful setting of lawns, lakes and trees this is partly due to its size, as rather than being just one site it is made up of 21, over 27 square miles.

Like Ayutthaya to the south exploring by bike is a great idea, starting off at the centre where you’ll find the royal part of the city and then branching off to the south, east, west and north.

As with all our holidays to historical sites, we include a professional guide to offer local insight and bring the history alive.

Whilst here we recommend a short detour to Phitsanulok, famous as the site of the riverside Wat Phra Si Rattana Maha That that enshrines the venerated Phra Buddha Chinarat, cast in 1357, and commonly regarded as Thailand's most beautiful Buddha image.

Sukhothai is one of Asia's most under-rated World Heritage Sites and lying approximately 300 miles north of Bangkok and 200 miles south of Chiang Mai, it’s a great touring stepping stone between the two and is often combined with Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi.