Utthayan Mueang Kao Pichit
About 7 kilometres from town on the Phichit-Wang Chick road (no. 1068) is Utthayan Mueang Kao Pichit.
The park features an ancient town dating back to more than 900 years. Most of the structures
discovered were built during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. The old town is surrounded
by city walls and moats. During the Sukhothai period it was called Muang Sa Luang situated
on the original bank of the Nan River before the river changes its course, which was the
reason the town itself was moved to the new bank in circa 1881 during the reign of king Rama V.
In the town centre is Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat with its large bell-shaped Chedi inside
of which have been found hundreds of votive tablets. In front of the Chedi are remains of a Vihan.
There are score of small Chedis scattered around the site.
The Khmer ruins is located in Ban Khwao. Built in the 13th Century to serve as a hospital during
the reign of King Chaivoraman VII, the laterite ruins was created in Bayon style in rectangular shape.
With 8 metres high and 4 metres wide, the ruins houses two gods made from terra cotta,
sitting legs crossed with conchs in hands. The ruin is situated in the embrace of laterite
wall and it can be accessed via eastern gopura (gate) only. There is a small building located southeast of the wall.
The eastern gate is the only real gate while other three are fake doors.
Door frames and lintels made of sandstone. The site is already excavated and renovated by the Department of Fine Art.
City Pillar
Shrine
Location : Amphoe Muang
The shrine has been placed on the second floor of
the two-story building. The statue of "Phaya Khottabong" or so-called "Pho
Pu" is housed on the first floor. The building is surrounded by many trees
which provide a pleasant scene. In addition, there is a recreation pavilion.
Wat Tha Luang
Location : Amphoe Muang
Built on the west bank of the Nan River within town limit in 1845,
Wat Tha Luang today houses Luang Pho Phet,
a Chiang Saen-style Buddhist statue cast in bronze.
Location : Amphoe Muang
Wat Nakhon Chum is some 9 kilometres from town on the Phichit - Wang Chik road. Built in the Sukhothai period
about 800 hundred years ago, the temple features an old Ubosot built with brick and mortar with the
upper parts in wood. Instead of windows, there are narrow openings for ventilation throughout the walls,
similar to temples of the Ayutthaya period. In the Ubosot is a large Sukhothai-style Buddha statue once
used as the principal statue in oath-taking ceremony pledging allegiance to the monarch.
Location : Amphoe Muang This
is an ancient monastery located in Tambon Muang Kao in the area of the old
city, 11 kms. from the township area. It had been utilized as a place where
an path, through water drinking, ceremony took place in the old days. This
is, however, the place where an old main Shrine Hall and the 800-year-old
Buddha image are located.
Location : Amphoe Muang Located
Wat Khao Rup Chang is located along the Phichit-Taphan Hin road some 15 kilometres from town. On the hilltop is an old,
Ayutthaya-style Chedi built of bricks but with its top part now broken. There is also a Mondop,
the wall murals of which have largely faded away. The Mondop house a bronze Holy Relic.
Location : Amphoe Muang This
wat is located approximately 15 kms. south of Phichit on Phichit-Taphan
Hin Road having its remain shrine hall built on a hilltop where white rocks
stack up forming an elephant figure. A walking Buddha and replica of Buddha
us Footprints are housed in this monastery.
Location : Bang Mun Nak It is
located in Tambon Huay Khen, about 8 kms. from Amphoe Bang Mun Nak on Bang
Mun-Kak Wang Ngui Road. Within its ancient temple registered by the Fine
Arts Department, there is an original mural painting describing some parts
of the well-known literature of "Ramakien" or "Ramayana epics".
Location : Bang Mun Nak This
monastery is located in Tambon Noen Makok, about 2 kms. from Amphoe Bang
Mun Nak. Within the compound, there is an ancient stone Buddha image. The
giant elephant figures are easily noticed in front of this monastery.
Location : Pho Prathap Chang
An old temple in Pho Prathap Chang district is Wat Pho Prathap Chang, located
about 27 kilometres from town on route #1068 to the south. It was built by Phra Chao Sua,
an Ayutthaya king, in 1701 at a site reputed to be his own birth-place.
Although abandoned for almost 300 years, the remaining traces are indicative
of past splendors, such as a huge Vihan with its walls still standing but now roofless,
and small Chedis scattered over the site. The entire site
is surrounded by double-walls and huge trees, some of which are over 200 years old.
Location : Taphan Hin It is
located in Mu 5, Tambon Wang Lum, about 10 kms. from Amphoe Taphan Hin.
Within the monastery, there is a replica of the Buddha footprints, an imitation
of Wat Phra Phutthabat Saraburi. The famous Buddhist monk, Pra Achan Ngon
Sairayo usually stays at this monastery during Buddhist Lent in the rainy
season. He had built Phra Phutthawimok, the Buddha image in meditation with
the lap width of 29 inches, and gave it to schools throughout the country.
There is also a small zoo in the compound.
Location : Pho Prathap Chang
Previously called Wat Wang Tako, this monastery is located in Amphoe Pho
Thale on the bank of the Nan Kao River. One of the interesting things is
antiques which have been collected long ago. Most of the antiques were given
by donators. Among them are Buddha images, votive tablets, pottery, etc.
Its attractive building "Chai Bawon Museum" is a two storey structure in
Mondop shape. The life size bronze statue of Luang Pho Ngoen, the most revered
Buddhist monk who used to stay at this monastery for the Buddhist Lent during
the rainy season, is housed on the second floor. This museum is the first
and the only museum in Phichit
Local Products
CenterLocation : Amphoe
Muang Local products and souvenirs on sale are the basketry from
water hyacinth, weave cloth of Ban Pa Daeng, mixed tamarind, etc. The center
is open everyday except Monday.
Tham Chalawan
Location : Amphoe Muang The
cave has its origin from the literature "Krai Thong" wrote by King Rama
II. It is 1 meter wide, 1.50 meter long and 4 meter deep. Local tale has
that over 65 years ago, a Buddhist monk of Wat Nakhon Chum walked with a
candle into the cave and did not reach the cave when the candle was burnt
out. Therefore,nobody can tell how beautiful the cave inside is. At present,
the cave is lesser deep because it has been gradually destroyed by time.
The statues of Krai Thong and Chalawan are installed at the cave entrance.
Location : Amphoe Muang This
Bueng Si Fai is a large fresh-water lake to the south of town. It is a Fishery Department's
facility to breed fresh-water. Along the banks is a delightfully landscaped park suitable
for rest and recreation. The scenery is at its most scenic in the early morning and late afternoon.
On the other side of the park is an aquarium exhibiting species of native fish and local fishing equipment.
An eye-catching sight is a gigantic, crocodile-shaped structure within which is a space which could be used for meetings.
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