21 places to discover
Chandra Palace, known as Phra Racha Wang Chan, is a historic royal palace site on the west bank of the Nan River in central Phitsanulok. Built as a residence for Ayutthaya viceroys, it is renowned as the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great in 1555. Today the site preserves archaeological foundations, reconstructed walls, and the revered King Naresuan Shrine with exhibition buildings.
Khwae Noi National Park is a protected forest area in Chat Trakan District, Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand, covering about 198 square kilometres along the Khwae Noi River. Established in 1998 to protect the river's watershed and mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forests, it is known for Kaeng Chet Khwae rapids, forest waterfalls such as Kaeng Sai and Tat Fa, viewpoints and diverse wildlife. The park offers hiking, camping and nature study near the Khwae Noi Dam reservoir.
Lan Hin Pum Viewpoint is a scenic natural viewpoint inside Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. It is known for its unusual knob-like rock formations scattered across a rocky plateau at the edge of a cliff. The viewpoint offers panoramic views of forested mountains and valleys and is famous for sea-of-mist at sunrise and sunset, attracting hikers and photographers.
Namtok Chat Trakan National Park is a protected forest park in Chat Trakan District, Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. Established in 1987 and covering about 543 square kilometers along the Laos border, it is centered on the seven-tiered Chat Trakan Waterfall. The park features dense mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, mountain ranges including Phu Miang, diverse wildlife, and hiking trails, making it notable for nature-based tourism and waterfall viewing.
Namtok Kaeng Chet Khwae is a forested waterfall and rapids within Namtok Chat Trakan National Park in Chat Trakan District, Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. The waterfall consists of a series of rocky rapids and small cascades along a forest stream, forming natural pools. Surrounded by mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, it is known for its natural setting, seasonal water flow and as a local recreation and nature sightseeing site within the national park.
Namtok Kaeng Sopha is a large cascade waterfall on the Wang Thong River (Khek River) inside Thung Salaeng Luang National Park in Kaeng Sopha Subdistrict, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. Often called the Niagara of Thailand, it flows over three main tiers of wide rock shelves surrounded by mixed deciduous forest. Located directly off Highway 12, it is one of Phitsanulok's most visited natural attractions and is most impressive during the rainy season.
Namtok Romklao is a forest waterfall located inside Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok Province, northeastern Thailand. Situated in a protected montane forest area, it is known for its multi-tiered cascade flowing over rocky formations surrounded by dense evergreen forest. The waterfall is accessible via a short forest trail and is most impressive during the rainy season when water volume increases, offering a tranquil natural attraction within the national park.
Phitsanulok City Pillar Shrine is a revered shrine located in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok city, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. It enshrines the city pillar, regarded as the spiritual guardian of the city. The shrine features traditional Thai architecture with ornate pillars and decorative elements. It serves as an important cultural and spiritual landmark for residents and visitors, situated near the city center and close to other historic sites.
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is a 307-square-kilometre protected area spanning Phitsanulok and Loei provinces in northern Thailand, with its main entrance in Nakhon Thai District. Situated on the Phu Hin Rong Kla plateau at 800-1,600 metres elevation, it is known for its mountain forests, unusual rock formations, waterfalls and cool climate. Established in 1984, the park preserves natural landscapes and former historical sites within a forested highland setting.
Phu Soi Dao National Park is a protected mountainous national park on the Thai-Laos border in Chat Trakan District, Phitsanulok Province, also extending into Uttaradit Province. Established in 2008 as Thailand's 109th national park, it covers about 340 sq km of pine forests and high mountains. It is notable for Phu Soi Dao peak (2,102 m), the vast Lan Son pine meadow, seasonal fields of Utricularia flowers, and waterfalls such as Sai Thip and Phu Soi Dao.
The Sergeant Major Thawee Buranakhet Folk Museum is a private folk museum in Nai Mueang, Mueang Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok city, founded by Sergeant Major Thawee Buranakhet. Located on Wisut Kasat Road near the city centre, it houses a large collection of everyday tools, pottery, agricultural implements and household artifacts reflecting life in lower northern Thailand. The museum is notable for preserving regional folk heritage and traditional craftsmanship for visitors and researchers.
Tham Khangkhao, commonly known as Bat Cave, is a natural limestone cave located in Ban Mung Subdistrict, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. The cave is known for its large resident bat colony and the spectacular evening exodus when thousands of bats emerge at dusk. Set amid forested karst hills near Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, it is a quiet nature attraction visited for wildlife observation and photography.
Tham Pha Tha Phon is a limestone cave complex within the Tham Pha Tha Phon Non-Hunting Area in Ban Mung Subdistrict, Noen Maprang District, Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand. The site is notable for its extensive stalactite and stalagmite formations, multiple interconnected caverns, and prehistoric rock paintings estimated to be thousands of years old. Surrounded by forested karst hills, it is managed as a protected non-hunting area and archaeological site.
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is a large protected area spanning Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces, with its western headquarters in Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok. Established in 1963 as Thailand's third national park, it covers about 1,262 sq km of savanna grasslands, pine forests, and mixed deciduous forest. It is notable for its vast open savannas, Kaeng Sopha Waterfall, and diverse flora and fauna.
Wat Aranyik is an ancient Buddhist temple ruin located in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok city, Thailand. Dating to the Sukhothai period, it is known for its historic chedi and remains of the old monastic complex outside the former city wall. The site preserves Sukhothai-style architecture and archaeological remains, offering insight into early Thai Buddhist temple design and the historical development of Phitsanulok as a regional center.
Wat Chan Tawan Tok is a historic Buddhist temple located on the west bank of the Nan River in Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. Paired with Wat Chan Tawan Ok on the east bank, it is known for its traditional Thai temple architecture, revered Buddha images, and active monastic community. The temple serves as a local religious center and offers visitors a quiet, authentic example of central Thai Buddhist heritage near the city center.
Wat Chedi Yod Thong is a historic Buddhist temple in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok city, northern Thailand. It is known for its distinctive Sukhothai-style lotus-bud chedi topped with a gilded spire, which gives the temple its name meaning Golden Top Chedi. Located near the city center, the compact temple grounds include the main chedi, viharn and Buddha images, reflecting Sukhothai and Ayutthaya architectural influences.
Wat Chulamani is an ancient Theravada Buddhist temple located on the east bank of the Nan River in Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province. Notable for its Khmer-influenced prang and historic brick architecture, it dates to the Sukhothai period and was restored in 1461 by King Borommatrailokkanat of Ayutthaya, who was ordained there. It remains an active temple and important archaeological site south of Phitsanulok city centre.
Wat Nang Phaya is a historic Buddhist temple in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok, located on Phuttha Bucha Road adjacent to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat. Built during the Ayutthaya period when Phitsanulok served as capital, it is renowned for its Sukhothai-influenced architecture, three-spired prang and the famous Phra Nang Phaya votive tablets, one of Thailand's most revered Benjapakee amulets.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, commonly called Wat Yai, is a major Buddhist temple in Nai Mueang, Mueang Phitsanulok, on the east bank of the Nan River. Founded in 1357 during the Sukhothai period, it is renowned for housing Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, one of Thailand's most revered Buddha images. The complex features a Khmer-style prang, ornate viharn, gilded decorations, and a small museum, making it the spiritual and cultural center of Phitsanulok Province.
Wat Ratchaburana is a historic Buddhist temple located in Nai Mueang, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok, on the east bank of the Nan River near Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat. Known for its ancient Sukhothai-style chedi and well-preserved prang, it is one of the city's oldest temples. The temple remains an active place of worship and a notable cultural landmark within Phitsanulok's historic temple cluster.