Cycling the Park in Sukhothai

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Sukhothai Historical Park is flat, wide and green, with quiet paths between ponds and old brick towers. It is one of the most pleasant places in Thailand to ride a bike. This guide covers renting a bike, a route around the central zone and the lotus ponds, longer rides, and the best time of day.

Renting a bike

Several shops rent bicycles across the road from the entrance to the central zone. Most guesthouses in the old city area also have bikes for guests. Basic city bikes with a basket are cheap. Some shops also rent mountain bikes, electric bikes and scooters. Check the brakes and tyres, and ask for a lock. When you enter a zone with a bike, you pay a small extra fee on top of your ticket. If you stay in New Sukhothai, take a blue songthaew, a pickup truck with benches, to the park gate. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Then rent a bike at the gate.

The central zone and lotus ponds

The central zone is inside the old walls. Paved paths link the main sites, and the ground is flat, so the riding is easy. Start at Wat Mahathat in the middle, then ride to the towers of Wat Si Sawai. Follow the path to Wat Sa Si, which stands on a small island in a pond and is reached by a footbridge. Large ponds such as Traphang Ngoen and Traphang Thong reflect the towers on calm mornings. Lotus and water lilies grow in many ponds, and they are often in flower in the wet months. A slow loop of the central zone takes about two to three hours.

Longer rides north and west

For a longer day, ride out of the north gate to the north zone. The main stop is Wat Si Chum and its tall square hall, a short ride through farmland. The west zone is bigger and wilder. Ruins sit in forest on low hills, and some need a short walk up a slope. The roads are quiet, but distances are longer and there are fewer drink stalls, so carry water. The east and south zones have smaller sites along local roads. A route that covers the central, north and west zones makes a full day by bike.

Best time to ride

The best time to ride is early in the morning. The park opens early, the air is cooler, and the light on the towers and ponds is soft. Many people come for sunrise over Wat Mahathat. Midday is hot all year, so rest in the shade or at a cafe near the gate. The late afternoon is good again, with long shadows and a colourful sky. On some evenings the central zone is lit up. From about May to October, short heavy rain showers are common, but the park looks very green after rain. November to February is the coolest and driest time.

Cycling the Park at a glance

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