The Province’ Own Description: “Finest Image of Phra Phuttachinnarat, Birthplace of King Naresuan the Great, Floating Houses along the Nan River, Sweet Sun-dried Bananas, Picturesque Caves and Waterfalls.”
The Short List: Phitsanulok is 377 km from Bangkok with the area of 10,815 sq km featuring mountains, plains, and river basin. The Nan River runs through the heart of the city. It is the only city in the kingdom where it is legal to reside on a grandfathered-in houseboat within municipality boundaries. The prang-shaped city shrine designed by the Fine Art Department is on the bank of Nan River. Activities include whitewater rafting with a difficulty level 1-5, can be made from June to October and takes 2 ½ hours to get through the 8km route; there is an 18-hole golf course in Ekathotsarot Military Base.
Things Famous For:
- Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat Woramahawihan or Wat Yai or Wat Phra Si is built in 1357 and is on Tanon Phutthabucha by the Nan River. It houses the kingdom’s most beautiful Phra Phuttachinnarat (Phra Buddha Chinaraj) cast in bronze during the reign of Phra Maha Thammracha I (Phraya Lithai) in subduing evil posture.
- Shrine of King Naresuan the Great is located at the old site of Chan Palace, King Naresuan the Great’s birthplace. The Chan Palace foundation was discovered in 1992. An annual celebration takes place on 25 January.
- Wat Chulamani was built before Sukhothai period by King Borommatrailokkanat of Ayutthaya to enter monkhood along with 2,348 official followers. It is located on the eastern bank of the Nan River on Tanon Borom Trailokanat. The Khmer style pagoda and the Buddha’s footprint were built in 1678.
- Buddha-Casting Foundry is a small factory where bronze Buddha images are cast. The foundry is owned by Dr. Thawi (Ja Tawee) an artisan and nationally renowned expert on Northern Thai Folklore.
- Wong Thong district has numerous caves and waterfalls and parks: Namtok (waterfall) Wang Nok Aen or Sakunothayan; Namtok Kaeng Song; Namtok Poi and Khao Krayang forest Plantation; Namtok Kaeng Sopha; Thung Salaeng Luang National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Thailand’s largest and most important protected lands.
- Noen Maprang district’s main attractions are Tham (cave) Duean-Tham Dao; Tham Pha Tha Phon Non-hunting Area; Tham Naresuan; Tham Ruea; Tham Pha Daeng; Tham Lod.
- Wat Bot district’s attractions are Kaeng Chet Khwae National Park; Khao Noi-Khao Pradu Non-hunting Area.
- Chat Trakan district’s attractions are Namtok Chat Trakan National Park; Pha Daeng; Namtok Na Chan; Pha Kradan; Tham Nam Mut; Tham Ka; Phu Soi Dao National Park.
- Nakhon Thai districts attractions include: Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park-this was once the largest and most important stronghold of the communist Party of Thailand in the northern region until it was defeated in 1982; Namtok Rom Klao-Paradon; Lan Hin Taek; Namtok Si Phatcharin; Namtok Man Daeng.
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