Chaliang Zone
Chaliang is the smallest zone of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. It contains the ruins of several temples constructed in Chaliang, an ancient town established by the Khmer before the start of the Sukhothai era. The zone is located a few kilometers East of the old walled town on a peninsula almost completely surrounded by the Yom river.
The Chaliang zone contains the oldest monuments in the park. The area predates the founding of the Sukhothai Kingdom. It was established as an outpost of the Khmer empire during the reign of Angkor King Jayavarman VII. The Khmer era earthen ramparts and laterite Chaliang town walls still remain today.
Architectural styles in Chaliang
The Chaliang area contains monuments from several eras and of various architectural styles including Mon Dvaravati (Phra That Mutao chedi at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat), Khmer (prang of the Wat Chao Chan), Ayutthaya (prang of the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat) and Sukhothai (walking and standing Buddha images in the viharn of the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat).
Evidence has been found that the Khmer were not the first to settle in the area. Skeletons from the 3rd to 4th century and traces of 11th century brick structures were found at the Wat Chom Chuen temple.
Important temples of the Chaliang area
The most significant and best preserved temples of the Chaliang area are the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Wat Chom Chuen and Wat Chao Chan.
Other temples
The area contains a number of less known and smaller temples, in various states of preservation.
Wat Khok Singkharam
The Wat Khok Singkharam is located a few hundred meters East of the ancient town of Si Satchanalai, just South of the Yom river. It was constructed during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras. The rectangular temple area oriented towards the East is surrounded by walls on three sides. On the South it is bordered by the Chaliang town wall. Its main structures are a large, fairly well preserved viharn, 3 circular chedis on an elevated platform, an ubosot and several subordinate chedis. The temple is mentioned in ancient chronicles as a place where important monks met.
Wat Noi
The Wat Noi is located almost opposite the Wat Khok Singkharam on the banks of the Yom river. Its name translates to “small temple”. The Wat Noi’s main attraction is a small Sukhothai style lotus bud chedi standing on a square base.
Monument No. 32
Monument No. 32 is a small temple located next to the Wat Chao Chan. The temple comprises of a small viharn of which the base, lower part of the columns that supported the roof and a small section of the wall are still standing, as well as the remains of a few small chedis.
Chaliang town walls
The ancient town walls enclosing an area East of Si Satchanalai town are known as the Chaliang town walls. It is not known with certainty when the walls were constructed. It is assumed that they were built to protect the town of Chaliang in the pre Sukhothai era. In those days the walls were earthen ramparts, later reinforced with blocks of laterite during the Sukhothai era. A well preserved section of the old walls can be seen bordering the Yom river between the Wat Chao Chan and the Wat Chom Chuen.
Temples in the Chaliang Zone
Some of the temples in this zone are: