See the most beautiful golden temple and Buddha statue in Thailand in Phitsanulok

The temple stands out with its brilliant golden architecture and intricately carved details. Photo: Nguyen Do La Phan .

Leaving the ancient capital of Sukhothai with its nearly 800-year-old historical park, the journey south takes visitors to Phitsanulok - a city on the banks of the Nan River, where the pace of life is slow like a break between the two heritage poles of Northern Thailand. Not a prominent name on the tourist map, Phitsanulok therefore retains its authenticity, simplicity and rare peace.

Located at the gateway connecting Bangkok with Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok is not as ancient as the ancient capital Sukhothai, but the culture and history here are present in every temple and every seemingly ordinary way of life. Coming here, visitors feel as if they have just stepped out of the hustle and bustle of civilization to touch the peaceful life of the Thai people.

The first stop is Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan (Wat Yai) - the religious heart of Northern Thailand. The temple was built in 1357 during the Sukhothai Dynasty and houses Phra Phuttha Chinnarat - one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand. The golden statue stands out amidst rows of intricately carved wooden pillars, sparkling lights and the soft ringing of bells, creating an overwhelming sacred space.

Wat Yai is a symbol of Phitsanulok's long-standing cultural and religious heritage. Photo: Thanh Ngan.

Not far away is the Chan Royal Palace with a small museum inside, recounting how archaeologists excavated the old palace grounds and recreating the life of King Naresuan the Great.

Legend has it that before each battle, the king would come here to offer a rooster for good luck. Today, visitors can see a long line of rooster statues donated by the people, creating a unique landscape that also bears the mark of folk beliefs.

On the Phitsanulok sightseeing tram, from afar, Wat Chan Tawan Tok attracts all eyes with its brilliant yellow color. The building has a large area, multi-layered roofs and elaborate carvings - reminiscent of the heyday of religious architecture in Northern Thailand. Among them, the most prominent is the Somdet Ong Pathom temple, the second largest in Thailand, just behind Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Temple) in Bangkok.

From afar, Wat Chan Tawan Tok with its brilliant yellow color attracts all eyes. Photo: Thanh Ngan, Nguyen Do La Phan.

Strolling along the small road hugging the riverbank, visitors slowly observe and grasp the rhythm of life of the people here. The small houses are neatly built, the old-style grocery stores, the roadside cafes, the hospitable street vendors and the golden sunlight pouring down on the Nan River, all paint a beautiful, simple picture that big cities are gradually losing.

When in Phitsanulok, you cannot miss the Sukhothai-style noodles at Kuay Tiew Hoi Kha. "Hoi Kha" means "hanging legs", so the tables and chairs are raised high so that visitors can put their feet in the air while eating. A bowl of sweet and sour noodles, served with thinly sliced meat, boiled eggs, crispy fried wontons, and fatty peanuts... creates a simple but delicious lunch of Northern Thailand.

Peaceful countryside scene, slow pace of life on the banks of the Nan River. Photo: Nguyen Do La Phan.

If you come in spring, you can visit Phu Lom Lo - the hill where nearly 300,000 Himalayan peach trees bloom. The entire hillside is covered in pink in the cool weather, making this place as poetic as in the movies.

A short flight takes you back to Bangkok, where the urban experience concludes. In the evening, you can visit Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount), climb to the top of Phu Khao Thong to see the whole view of Bangkok, then stroll around the market below the temple and enjoy street food.

The Royal Chan Palace impresses with thousands of rooster statues. Photo: Thanh Ngan.

A new day in Bangkok can start at the bustling Trok Mor market. From there, it is just a few minutes away from Dusit Arun on the 7th floor of Central Park, a newly emerging check-in point with a modern design, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the green space on the upper floors. End the journey with a traditional Thai massage to help the body recover after a long time traveling between attractions.

To get to Phitsanulok, visitors must travel to Bangkok, from here, there are many ways to continue the journey. The fastest and most convenient is to fly from Don Mueang Airport to Phitsanulok Airport. If you want to experience the railway, you can take the train from Hua Lamphong Station with a travel time of 5-6 hours. In addition, buses departing daily from Morchit Pier to Phitsanulok are also a popular choice, taking about 4 hours.

Source: https://znews.vn/ngam-chua-va-tuong-phat-dep-nhat-thai-lan-o-phitsanulok-post1604358.html