The most important temple at Sukhothai, Wat Mahathat, with the main stupa on the right-hand side.

Sukhothai Historical Park - Central

The ceremonial centre of historic Sukhothai is home to the kingdom's most important temples, built amongst glittering reservoirs.

The temple of Wat Sa Si is built on a small island in one of the site's water reservoirs. – © Michael Turtle

The Khmer influences are clear to see in the design of Wat Si Sawai. – © Michael Turtle

Looking out across the expansive footprint of the main Wat Mahathat temple. – © Michael Turtle

The temple of Wat Sa Si is built on a small island in one of the site's water reservoirs. – © Michael Turtle

Within the imposing city walls, the Central Zone of the Sukhothai Historical Park is an emblem of the kingdom's opulence when it was at its peak in the 13th century. It's here where the Royal Palace would once have stood, as part of a large complex of significant monuments that were at the heart of the political and religious rule of Sukhothai.

The largest of the temples is Wat Mahathat, the principal site in the centre of the city. Around the main stupa with its graceful closed lotus shape are a total of 200 subordinate stupas, including eight large ones that were added during different periods.

One of the important Buddha statues along the main axis of Wat Mahathat, with the sun setting in the background. – © Michael Turtle

One of the most popular temples in the Central Zone is the picturesque Wat Sa Si, built on an island in the middle of a large reservoir. Said to contain the relics of one of Sukhothai's kings, it consists of a round bell-shaped stupa with four alcoves that reflect the Sri Lanka style of architecture.

A statue in the Sukhothai style alongside the central stupa of Wat Sa Si on an island in a reservoir. – © Michael Turtle

On the other side of the zone, Wat Si Sawai shows the Khmer influence on some of the early constructions in the historical park. The three towers with seven levels of designs are similar to some of the monuments at Angkor. It's also the only temple here that points to the south, rather than the east.

The three towers of Wat Si Sawai are similar in design to the Khmer temples at Angkor in Cambodia, with seven levels on each one. – © Michael Turtle

Throughout the Central Zone are other smaller temples and monuments. One of the most interesting features to note are the reservoirs, which are part of an innovative irrigation system that uses gravity and ceramic pipes to provide water for agriculture.