Prior to our trip, Phitsanulok was not on our itinerary as our primary destination was Nan. Our visit to Phitsanulok was purely coincidental, yet it unexpectedly allowed us to explore an additional province.

Driven by a sense of adventure and a lack of urgency, we didn't plan our first night's accommodation in Nan. We figured we'd arrive late and sleep wherever we were close to. However, as fate would have it, we found ourselves needing to stop in Phitsanulok. With a looming deadline for a client and darkness approaching, we were still over three hours from Nan. Searching for accommodation in the city center, we stumbled upon a place called "Dragon River Avenue." The price was reasonable, and the photos on the website looked decent, so we decided to stay there.

While driving to our accommodation, we stumbled upon a vibrant temple fair, the "King Naresuan the Great Fair," adorned with dazzling lights. The fair was conveniently located near Wat Phra Buddha Chinarat, presenting an auspicious opportunity to pay our respects before embarking on our extended journey. Remarkably, our accommodation was situated in the same alley as the temple, making it an ideal coincidence.

We parked our car in the temple grounds and walked across the bridge to the temple fair. We paid our respects at the city pillar shrine and found something to eat at the fair.

The food zone offers a wide variety of options. The food looks delicious, but the prices are a bit steep. I've heard that temple fair food isn't cheap, so it's a good idea to ask about the prices before ordering to avoid any surprises.

Pay homage to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, the temple of Phitsanulok.

---

"Dragon River Avenue" Overall, the room is a bit small, but it is sufficient for a 1-night stay to work with strong Wi-Fi and relax during the trip. However, what this place has is the decoration with many dolls in many corners. It would be very pleasing for those who love taking pictures. The view is excellent because it is next to the Nan River. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, and the breakfast is quite good.

In the morning, we wanted to make merit by offering food to monks. So, we woke up early and rode the hotel's bicycles to the temple. Across from the temple, there was a line of monks waiting to receive alms. Many shops offered pre-made sets for making merit.

After we finished offering alms, we saw a tour guide leading a group of foreign tourists to do the same. The guide explained the process and provided various information. It was a heartwarming sight to see.

We stood there, watching the adorable scene, secretly smiling and unable to hold back laughter. The foreigners had no idea what to do, so they stood facing the Buddha statue, listening to the monk's blessings. They couldn't understand the Thai language, but they stared at the monk's face anyway. The monk gave his blessings in Thai, but ended with the word "Thank you." In the end, we weren't sure who should be thanking whom.

Everywhere you go in this province, you'll find "hanging leg" noodles. It seems to be a local gimmick.

The Yodaya Heritage Hotel is located nearby.

Ride back to the hotel and have breakfast.

After a satisfying meal, we took a few more photos of the accommodation's interior before checking out and heading to our next destination: Nan province.

As you can see, staying in Phitsanulok offers more than just temple visits, merit-making, temple fairs, and experiencing the local way of life. There are also other tourist attractions such as Thung Salaeng Luang, Thung Phaya Muang Len, whitewater rafting, and bamboo rafting. Therefore, a visit to Phitsanulok will not disappoint.

From here, we will continue driving for about 3 hours to reach Nan. Follow us on our Nan trip in this next review.

https://en.readme.io/p/7675