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🛕 Cross-province plan

Uttaradit–Phitsanulok
2 Days, 1 Night

Uttaradit and Phitsanulok sit only about 60 km apart, an easy hour by car, so it makes sense to roll them into one trip. This plan starts in Uttaradit, walking old Laplae town and eating local dishes, then drops down to Phitsanulok to pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Yai, which many Thais consider one of the most beautiful Buddha images in the country. With a relaxed pace, you can cover both towns in 2 days and 1 night.

🛕 Pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat🏘️ Walk old Laplae town🍜 Food from two towns
Uttaradit–Phitsanulok 2 Days, 1 Night

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This trip works best if you have a car or rent one to drive yourself, since several spots sit outside the town centers and public transport between the two provinces is limited. We set it up so the first day stays in Uttaradit, focused on Laplae town and local food, with a night in Uttaradit town (or you can shift over and sleep in Phitsanulok instead). The second day drops to Phitsanulok, with Phra Buddha Chinnarat as the highlight, before stopping at temples and souvenir shops on the way back.

Distance and rough route

Uttaradit and Phitsanulok are linked by Highway 11, a single main road that's easy to follow with no getting lost. The distance is about 60 km and takes around an hour. If you're coming from Bangkok by train, the northern line runs through both towns, so you can get off in Phitsanulok first and continue up to Uttaradit.

  • Uttaradit town → Laplae town — about 8–10 km, a 15-minute drive
  • Uttaradit town → Phitsanulok town — about 60 km, a 1-hour drive on Highway 11
  • Wat Yai (Phra Buddha Chinnarat) sits in central Phitsanulok — on the Nan River, across from the provincial hall

Before you go

Both towns are good to visit year-round, but Uttaradit's fruit season (Long Laplae and Lin Laplae durian, langsat, longkong) runs roughly June–August. If you want to eat fresh fruit straight from the orchards, this is the best time to come.

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Day 1 — Uttaradit, Laplae town and local food

Day 1

Uttaradit · Laplae town

08:30
Arrive in Uttaradit town, start at the Phraya Phichai Dap Hak MonumentIt stands in front of the provincial hall and is the town's signature check-in spot. Phraya Phichai was a top general of the Thonburi era who came from Uttaradit.
09:30
Drive into Laplae town, stop at the Laplae town gate and temples in the old quarterLaplae is a district wrapped in a mysterious local legend. The community is quiet, with old wooden houses to wander and photograph.
11:00
Pay respects at Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, Thung Yang subdistrictAn old temple paired with Laplae town, with an ancient stone slab in the viharn. Free entry, open 08:00–17:00, and there's a local museum inside the temple too.
12:00
Lunch — khao phan phak, Laplae's signature dishTry Phob Laplae (on Inchaimee Road) or Khao Phan Phak Indy in Laplae. It's a steamed rice sheet wrapped around several kinds of vegetables, and goes well with mi phan.
14:00
Keep going by season — in fruit season visit a Laplae durian orchard, off-season drive up to Mon Laplae for the viewIn fruit season, many orchards let you come in and taste. The Mon Laplae viewpoint takes in the whole valley town and is good for photos in the late afternoon.
16:30
Head back into Uttaradit town and browse for souvenirsStandout souvenirs are durian paste, processed fruit, and local woven cloth, found at shops around town.
18:30
Dinner in Uttaradit town, then check inThe town has a fair number of restaurants and hotels. Sleeping here lets you rest before dropping to Phitsanulok the next day.

Which town to sleep in

If you want a full first day in Uttaradit, stay in Uttaradit town and drive down to Phitsanulok the next morning. But if you'd rather reach Phra Buddha Chinnarat early when it's quiet, you can shift over and sleep in Phitsanulok from the first night — it's only an hour's drive.

Day 2 — Phitsanulok, Phra Buddha Chinnarat and old temples

Day 2

Phitsanulok · Wat Yai

07:30
Leave Uttaradit for Phitsanulok on Highway 11About an hour's drive. If you're hungry, eat early or wait and have breakfast in Phitsanulok town.
09:00
Pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai)Open 06:00–18:00 daily. Phra Buddha Chinnarat is the highlight of the trip, beautiful for the flame-shaped halo around the image. Go early before the crowds build.
10:30
Walk around Wat Yai, the prang, and the souvenir market out frontThe temple grounds have an old prang and shops selling offerings, souvenirs, and amulets to browse.
12:00
Lunch — kuaytiao hoi kha (legs-dangling noodles) on the Nan RiverA Phitsanulok signature: you sit with your legs dangling over the river while you eat. There are several shops along the Nan — pick one with a decent crowd.
13:30
Stop at Wat Chulamani, an old temple 5 km out of townAn old temple on the Nan River, with a mondop and an ancient stone inscription. Quiet and shady, a good follow-on from Wat Yai.
15:00
Your choice — the Sergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum, or buy dried bananas as a souvenirThe Thawee museum gathers old everyday folk objects, while Bang Krathum dried bananas are a Phitsanulok souvenir staple.
16:30
Grab souvenirs and head homeIf you're heading back to Bangkok, the Phitsanulok station makes it easy to catch a train or coach — it's a junction on the northern line.

Food you shouldn't miss on this trip

1

Phra Buddha Chinnarat — Wat Yai, Phitsanulok

Wat Yai · open 06:00–18:00

Not food, but the highlight you can't skip. A Sukhothai-era Buddha image many Thais consider one of the most beautiful in the country. Go in the morning for nice light and fewer people.

Must-seePhitsanulok
2

Khao phan phak — Laplae town

Laplae · from ฿30–50

Thin steamed rice sheets wrapped around several kinds of vegetables and topped with a well-balanced dipping sauce. A local dish that's hard to find elsewhere. Try Phob Laplae or Khao Phan Phak Indy.

Local dishLaplae
3

Kuaytiao hoi kha on the Nan — Phitsanulok

Nan riverside · from ฿40–60

Noodles you eat sitting with your legs dangling over the Nan River — a town signature that visitors to Phitsanulok love to try, with a chill riverside vibe.

Town signaturePhitsanulok
4

Mi phan Laplae

Laplae · from ฿30–45

A cousin of khao phan phak that wraps rice vermicelli inside the steamed sheet — easy to eat, soft in texture, and usually sold at the same shops. Order it alongside the khao phan phak.

Local dish
5

Long Laplae / Lin Laplae durian (seasonal)

Laplae · at market price

Uttaradit's signature durian varieties, with firm flesh and a milder smell. Available June–August. If you come in fruit season, don't miss it.

FruitSeasonal
6

Phitsanulok dried bananas

Souvenir · varies by shop

A Phitsanulok souvenir staple, especially from the Bang Krathum area. Chewy and naturally sweet, easy to take home and keeps well.

SouvenirPhitsanulok

More to see if you have time to spare

Uttaradit

Sirikit Dam (Tha Pla district)

Uttaradit's large earthen dam, with views of the reservoir and mountains. Worth a stop if you have half a day, though it's a fair way out of town.

Laplae

Wat Phra Thaen Sila At

An old temple paired with Laplae town, with an ancient laterite stone slab and a local museum. Free entry, and it's on the first day's route.

Phitsanulok

Wat Chulamani, Phitsanulok

An old temple on the Nan, 5 km out of town, with a mondop and a stone inscription. Quiet and shady, an easy follow-on from Wat Yai.

Temple etiquette

Both Wat Yai and the Laplae temples are sacred places. Dress modestly, cover your shoulders, skip very short shorts, take off your shoes before entering the viharn, and lower your voice while others are praying.

Want a full Uttaradit plan or to find a place to stay before the trip?

See the Uttaradit travel guide →

FAQ

How far apart are Uttaradit and Phitsanulok, and is the drive long?

About 60 km apart, roughly a 1-hour drive on Highway 11, which is the single main road — easy and straightforward. That's why it's so easy to combine the two towns into one trip.

What time does Wat Yai (Phra Buddha Chinnarat) in Phitsanulok open?

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, also known as Wat Yai, is open daily from 06:00–18:00. Go in the morning to pay respects, since the light is nice and the crowds haven't built up. The temple sits in the center of town on the Nan River and is easy to find.

Can you do this trip without a private car?

You can, but it's not as convenient as having a car, since spots like Laplae and Sirikit Dam are out of town and public transport is limited. Without a car, renting one or hiring a local driver for the day will be much smoother.

Should I stay in Uttaradit or Phitsanulok?

It depends on your timing. If you spend a full first day in Uttaradit then drop to Phitsanulok the next day, sleeping in Uttaradit is more convenient. But if you want to reach Phra Buddha Chinnarat early when it's quiet, you can shift over and sleep in Phitsanulok from the first night — it's only an hour's drive.

When is the best time for this trip?

It's good year-round, but if you want Uttaradit's signature fruit like Long Laplae durian and longkong, come June–August to get them fresh from the orchards.

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