The site of Old Sukhothai has around 40 temple complexes spread over an area of about 70 sq km (28 sq miles). At its center is the walled Royal City, protected by moats and ramparts. Many of the most important ruins are within this inner compound. The layout of Old Sukhothai, as with many major Thai cities (muangs) , follows fixed principles: a large, central wat  complex surrounded concentrically by walls, river, rice fields, and, beyond, forested mountains. Another example of this, on a smaller scale, is Si Satchanalai.

One way to see the ruins of the Royal City is by bicycle: shops beside the old east gate rent them by the day for a small fee. A quick test ride is advised as some are in poor condition, and an early start is recommended to avoid the midday heat.

Entering from the east, the first wat  within the city walls is Wat Traphang Thong, which is situated on an islet in a small lotus-filled lake. The Sri Lankan-style chedi  dates from the mid-14th century, and a small mondop  beside it enshrines a stone Footprint of the Buddha, still worshipped by resident monks.

The Ramkamhaeng National Museum  houses photographs, taken around 1900–1920, of Sukhothai’s ruins prior to renovation and a large collection of artifacts. At the heart of the moated city is Wat Mahathat , the most important wat  complex in Sukhothai.

Nearby, Wat Takuan has a restored, Sri Lankan bell-shaped chedi . Several Buddha images found in the vault of the chedi  are thought to date from the early Sukhothai period, though they remain something of a mystery.

To the southwest, at Wat Si Sawai, are three 12th–14th-century Khmer-style prangs , thought to predate the Tai takeover of the city.

The bot  of Wat Traphang Ngoen, mentioned in Ramkamhaeng’s famous Inscription No. 1, lies in an artificial rectangular lake.

Copper Buddha images and Chinese pottery were recovered from Wat Sa Si, also at the center of an artificial lake. These are now in the Ramkamhaeng National Museum.

Nearby, Wat Chana Songkhram has a restored, squat Sri Lankan-style chedi . A smaller chedi  here dates from the Ayutthaya period.

To the north of Wat Mahathat is the modern King Ramkamhaeng Monument . Beyond lies San Ta Pha Daeng, a 12th-century Khmer shrine that once housed sandstone Hindu icons, now in the Ramkamhaeng National Museum.

Wat Sorasak, a small, brick, bell-shaped chedi , dates from the early 15th century. The square base is supported by 24 stucco elephants.

Wat Chang Lom, a bell-shaped chedi  similar to one at Si Satchanalai, has 36 brick and stucco elephants around its base. It represents mythical Mount Meru, supported by elephants. Beyond is Wat Chedi Sung, a beautiful chedi  with a high, square base typical of the late Sukhothai era.

Wat Phra Phai Luang, a Khmer-style complex, is thought to be part of the original mid-13th century settlement, built when this region was part of the Khmer Empire. Only one of the three laterite prangs , decorated with stucco fragments, is extant. Nearby, the mondop  of Wat Si Chum has an immense seated Buddha peering through an opening.

Along a low ridge of hills, around 3.5 km (2 miles) west of the ramparted royal city is another string of ruins that form part of the Sukhothai Historical Park. Most important of these is Wat Saphan Hin , where a 12.5-m (41-ft) high Buddha image, Phra Attharot, similar to the Buddha images of the same name at Wat Mahathat, stands on a low summit. There is another large image, similar to Phra Attharot, at Wat Phra Yun, though the head and hands are missing.

Closer to the west city wall is Wat Pa Mamuang, of archeological importance for the inscriptions discovered here relating to King Lo Thai.

To the south are the ruins of Wat Chetuphon, where a mondop  contains the remains of four Buddha images in varying postures; two are in good condition, but of the other two, one is missing below the waist and the other has virtually disappeared. At Wat Chedi Si Hong, the base of the laterite brick chedi  is lined with stucco elephants, interspersed with divinities.

Beyond the southern edge of the Historical Park loom the hills of Ramkamhaeng National Park . Covering 342 sq km (133 sq mile), this is home to serow, gaur, and wild pig.