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Uttaradit Temples & Heritage
2 Days: Nam Phi, Phra Fang, Phra Thaen

Uttaradit is a province where history is tucked into old temples and ancient iron pits. If you love temples and old places, this plan covers it all in two days. Start at the Ban Nam Phi iron pits, a sword-forging source since ancient times, head to Wat Phra Fang, the nearly 900-year-old great relic of Sawangkhaburi, then finish at Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and the town of Laplae. We route it hour by hour so you never double back, with real opening times and places to eat along the way.

🛕 Temples nearly 900 years old⚔️ Nam Phi iron pits🏘️ Laplae town
Uttaradit Temples & Heritage 2 Days: Nam Phi, Phra Fang, Phra Thaen

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

A lot of people drive through Uttaradit on the way to Chiang Mai or Nan without stopping, even though the province has historical sights you won't find elsewhere. The Nam Phi iron pits were the ore source used to forge royal swords in ancient times. Wat Phra Fang was the site of the last rebel faction that King Taksin brought back under one kingdom. And Wat Phra Thaen Sila At is a royal temple that northerners have revered for generations. This plan splits into two days: the first covers the Nam Phi iron pits and Wat Phra Fang, the second covers Laplae and Wat Phra Thaen Sila At. The key thing to know is that the Nam Phi iron pits sit fairly far from town, around 56 km, so they have to anchor the first day.

The 2-day plan at a glance

  • Day 1 — leave town in the morning for the Nam Phi iron pits (Thong Saen Khan district), stop at Wat Phra Fang (Pha Chuk subdistrict) on the way back, then return to town in the evening to pay respects at the Phraya Phichai Dap Hak monument
  • Day 2 — Laplae morning market, then Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and Wat Phra Yuen Phutthabat Yukhon, and an afternoon walking Laplae old town and buying gifts
  • Getting around — this plan works best with your own car or a rental, because the Nam Phi iron pits and Wat Phra Fang are outside town and hard to reach by public transport
  • Where to stay — base yourself in Uttaradit town both nights and loop out to each spot, which is easier than changing hotels

Before you set off

The Nam Phi iron pits and Wat Phra Thaen Sila At open around 08:00–17:00. Wat Phra Fang is accessible all day, but the museum inside usually opens around midday. Head out early each day to dodge the afternoon heat and catch better light for photos.

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Day 1 — Nam Phi iron pits + Wat Phra Fang

Day one is all about heading out of town, because the Nam Phi iron pits are in Thong Saen Khan district, around 56 km away, about an hour and a bit of driving. Make it your first stop in the morning, then pick up Wat Phra Fang on the way back, which sits in Pha Chuk subdistrict right along the route into town.

Day 1

Iron and relics

07:30
Breakfast in Uttaradit townGrab an easy breakfast around the municipal market before you leave, because there are few shops on the road out to Nam Phi
08:30
Drive to the Nam Phi iron pits, Thong Saen Khan districtAround 56 km, roughly 1.5 hours of driving on a mix of highway and rural roads. Fill up before you go
10:00
Nam Phi Iron Pit Museum + the Phra Saeng and Phra Khan pitsFree entry, open 08:00–17:00. The museum recreates the smelting process from ore to forged sword, while the Phra Saeng pit is the one where iron was reserved specifically for forging royal swords
11:30
Pay respects at the Iron Pit Spirit shrine for the spiritually mindedLocals come here for luck and protective charms. It's a spot with plenty of legends attached
12:30
Lunch on the way backThere are roadside rice-and-curry shops and noodle stalls to stop at along the Thong Saen Khan–town stretch
14:30
Wat Phra Fang Sawangkhaburi Muninat, Pha Chuk subdistrictA great relic nearly 900 years old, with a relic stupa, the windowless ordination hall, and a temple museum. It was the seat of the Chao Phra Fang faction, the last that King Taksin folded into Thonburi in 1770
16:30
Back to town for the Phraya Phichai Dap Hak monumentIt stands in front of the provincial hall, honoring the hero of Phichai whose sword broke in his hand yet still beat back the Burmese. There's a museum of his swords beside it
18:00
Dinner in town and restPick any restaurant in town you like and save your energy for Laplae the next day

What people often miss

Nam Phi isn't a single pit. There's the Phra Saeng pit and the Phra Khan pit, each with a different meaning, so read all the signboards to get the full story. And don't rush, you came a long way to get here.

Day 2 — Laplae + Wat Phra Thaen Sila At

Day two switches direction to Laplae district, which is much closer to town than day one. Start the morning at the Laplae market for local food, then visit Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and Wat Phra Yuen next door, and wrap up by walking Laplae old town and picking up gifts to take home.

Day 2

Laplae town and royal temples

07:30
Laplae morning market (Si Phanom Mat Market)A fresh market in an old wooden building with mi phan, khao phan phak (steamed rice rolls with vegetables) and local snacks to try from early on. The Phra Si Phanom Mat monument stands out front
09:00
Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, Thung Yang subdistrictA royal temple, open 08:00–17:00. The Phra Thaen itself is a square laterite slab, believed to be where all five Buddhas sat in meditation. King Rama V ordered its restoration after a wildfire in 1908
10:30
Wat Phra Yuen Phutthabat Yukhon (right next door)It has a Chiang Saen-style mondop sheltering a pair of Buddha footprints on a lotus base. You can walk over from Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, no need to drive
12:00
Lunch around LaplaeTry khao phan phak at a shop in the Laplae area, or local-style noodles, for a light meal before you keep walking
13:30
Walk Laplae old town + Laplae Town MuseumSee the old wooden houses, the Laplae town gate arch, and the local legend that says you mustn't point your finger. Come on a Sunday and you'll also catch the Long Rak Laplae market at the museum
15:00
Buy seasonal fruit and Laplae woven textiles as giftsIn durian season there's Long and Lin Laplae durian, longkong and langsat. For dry goods there are Laplae woven sarongs and old-style Thai sweets
16:30
Back to the hotel, or carry on travelingIf you're heading on to Phrae or Sukhothai, Laplae sits on the convenient side for that route

Extras if you have more time

Nature

Sirikit Dam

With a third day, drive out to Sirikit Dam for sweeping reservoir views, a good fit for nature lovers who've had their fill of temples

Seasonal

Laplae fruit orchards

June to August is Long Laplae durian season, when you can visit orchards and taste fruit straight off the tree

Temples

Wat Phra Yuen Phutthabat Yukhon

If you want to dig into just this temple, read the separate Wat Phra Yuen guide first to better understand its Chiang Saen mondop

Tips for a smooth temple trip

  • Dress modestly — for temples and royal temples, bring a shoulder cover and trousers or a knee-length skirt, and keep a spare in the car
  • Fill up before Nam Phi — the Thong Saen Khan route has few gas stations, so top off the tank in town
  • Carry cash — the Laplae market and many local shops mainly take cash
  • Check the fruit season — if you're set on tasting Long Laplae durian, come mid-year, as there's no fresh fruit off-season

Want a place to stay in Uttaradit town before these two days

See Uttaradit hotels →

FAQ

How far are the Nam Phi iron pits from Uttaradit town?

They're in Nam Phi subdistrict, Thong Saen Khan district, around 56 km from town, about an hour and a bit of driving. Make them the first stop of the day and go by your own car or a rental, since public transport is hard to come by.

What time do Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and the Nam Phi iron pits open?

Both open around 08:00–17:00. The Nam Phi Iron Pit Museum is free to enter, while Wat Phra Thaen Sila At is a royal temple you can visit during opening hours. Go from morning to early afternoon to avoid the harsh sun.

How many days do you need for an Uttaradit temple trip?

Two days is about right. The first covers the out-of-town Nam Phi iron pits and Wat Phra Fang, the second covers Laplae and the closer Wat Phra Thaen Sila At. With a third day, add Sirikit Dam or the fruit orchards.

Can you do this plan without your own car?

Laplae and the in-town spots are manageable with a hired car or rented motorbike, but the Nam Phi iron pits and Wat Phra Fang are out of town with very little public transport. Without a car, it's worth hiring a car with a driver by the day for better value and flexibility.

Why is Wat Phra Fang important?

Wat Phra Fang Sawangkhaburi Muninat is a great relic nearly 900 years old. It was the center of Sawangkhaburi and the seat of the Chao Phra Fang faction, the last that King Taksin the Great gathered into Thonburi in 1770. The temple has a relic stupa and a museum holding antiquities.

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