Chedi Yot Duan

Open Days: Outdoor Historic Site, Open Daily

Opening Hours: Daytime Visit Recommended

 

Chedi Yot Duan, also known as Phra Maha Chai Chedi Si Samo Khlaeng, is an important ancient Buddhist monument located on Khao Samo Khlaeng Hill in Moo 8, Ban Khao Samo Khlaeng, Wang Thong Subdistrict, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. Situated about 17 kilometers from Phitsanulok city, this historic hilltop chedi is one of the most meaningful cultural and religious sites in the Wang Thong area. It is especially valuable for travelers who want to explore Phitsanulok beyond the city center and understand the deeper historical landscape connected with Buddhism, local belief, and ancient craftsmanship.

 

The name “Chedi Yot Duan” literally refers to the chedi’s distinctive truncated top. Unlike many fully preserved pagodas, this ancient structure has an incomplete upper section, especially around the bell-shaped body and its summit. This visible imperfection has become the landmark’s identity. Rather than reducing its value, the broken form makes the chedi more memorable, showing the passage of time, the effects of age, restoration, and the long life of a sacred monument that has survived for centuries on a hill above the local community.

 

According to the Northern Chronicle, the chedi was built by Phraya Chit Wai, the ruler of Nan, to enshrine the relics of 2 revered arahant monks: Phra Upali Thera and Phra Sirimanon Thera. These 2 monks are traditionally associated with the creation of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, the highly revered Buddha image enshrined at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan in Phitsanulok. This connection gives Chedi Yot Duan exceptional religious importance because it links a hilltop monument in Wang Thong with one of Thailand’s most celebrated Buddha images.

 

The chedi is estimated to be around 700 years old and has undergone restoration and repair several times over the centuries. Its long history makes it an important source of local memory and historical study. For visitors, the monument is not merely an old brick structure; it is a surviving trace of faith, craftsmanship, and regional Buddhist culture. Every visible layer of brickwork, every weathered surface, and every remaining architectural element helps tell the story of how Buddhist monuments were built, repaired, respected, and preserved across generations.

 

Architecturally, Chedi Yot Duan is described as a Lanka-style chedi. It has a large square base with 3 levels, followed by an octagonal base and a bell-shaped body. This type of form reflects the influence of Theravada Buddhist architecture that spread across Southeast Asia and was adapted to local contexts in Thailand. The structure’s hilltop position strengthens its sacred character, as elevated sites have long been associated with spiritual distance, purity, and symbolic closeness to the heavens.

 

One of the most fascinating features of the chedi is its brickwork. Some bricks show different patterns, marks, and surface details, suggesting the skill and individuality of the craftsmen who made or arranged them. For travelers interested in art history and archaeology, the chedi offers a valuable opportunity to observe traditional materials and construction techniques. The beauty of this site lies not in polished perfection, but in the survival of its historical layers and the quiet dignity of an ancient religious structure.

 

Local tradition also says that Chedi Yot Duan may have been used to contain the remains of former rulers of Phitsanulok. This belief adds another layer of meaning to the site. It becomes not only a Buddhist monument connected with revered monks, but also a place of civic memory associated with the leadership and history of the old city. Whether visitors approach the site through faith, history, or art, the chedi offers a rich and thoughtful experience.

 

The setting on Khao Samo Khlaeng Hill is a major part of the visit. The route from Phitsanulok city to Wang Thong gradually changes from urban roads to a more open local landscape. As visitors approach Ban Khao Samo Khlaeng, the hill and surrounding natural environment become more prominent. Reaching the chedi requires going up to the hill area, so travelers should choose appropriate footwear and visit during daylight for safety. The atmosphere is calm, simple, and less commercial than many major tourist attractions, making it suitable for those who appreciate quiet historical places.

 

Chedi Yot Duan is an ideal destination for cultural travelers, history students, Buddhist pilgrims, local heritage researchers, and visitors interested in ancient architecture. It provides a different perspective on Phitsanulok. Many travelers know the province mainly through Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat and Phra Phuttha Chinnarat in the city center, but Chedi Yot Duan reveals another side of the province: the hilltop sacred landscape of Wang Thong, where religious memory, local community, and natural setting meet.

 

For a meaningful itinerary, travelers can begin in Phitsanulok city by visiting Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat to pay respect to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, then continue to Khao Samo Khlaeng to see Chedi Yot Duan. Afterward, the trip can be combined with local restaurants in Wang Thong or extended toward natural attractions along the Phitsanulok-Lom Sak road. This route combines faith, history, local food, rural scenery, and cultural heritage within a manageable travel distance.

 

Visitors should treat the site with respect. Since the chedi is both an ancient monument and a sacred place, people should avoid climbing on the structure, touching fragile brickwork unnecessarily, moving objects, writing on surfaces, or leaving litter. Historic monuments cannot be recreated once damaged. Responsible travel is therefore essential for preserving Chedi Yot Duan for future generations.

 

The value of Chedi Yot Duan also lies in its role as a living heritage site for the local community. It stands as a symbol of Khao Samo Khlaeng, a spiritual landmark for local residents, and a cultural asset that helps younger generations understand the importance of their homeland. Continued awareness and conservation help protect not only the physical monument, but also the stories, beliefs, and local identity attached to it.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car, rental car, or local transport from Phitsanulok city. The site is about 17 kilometers from the city center, in Wang Thong District. Travelers should allow enough time for the approach to Khao Samo Khlaeng Hill and should visit in daylight, especially if they are unfamiliar with the route. During the rainy season or after heavy rain, extra care is needed because hill paths may become slippery.

 

In summary, Chedi Yot Duan is a remarkable historic and spiritual landmark in Phitsanulok Province. Its 700-year history, its connection with Phra Upali Thera and Phra Sirimanon Thera, its association with Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, its Lanka-style architecture, and its unique truncated top all make it a destination worth preserving and visiting. For foreign travelers seeking a deeper understanding of Thai Buddhist heritage beyond the best-known city temples, this hilltop chedi offers a quiet, meaningful, and memorable cultural experience.

 

 

A: Chedi Yot Duan is located on Khao Samo Khlaeng Hill in Moo 8, Ban Khao Samo Khlaeng, Wang Thong Subdistrict, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province, about 17 km from Phitsanulok city.

 

A: It is an ancient chedi around 700 years old, traditionally linked to Phraya Chit Wai of Nan and to 2 revered monks connected with the creation of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat.

 

A: The name comes from the chedi’s incomplete or truncated upper section, which gives the monument a distinctive appearance unlike ordinary fully preserved pagodas.

 

A: The Northern Chronicle states that the chedi was built to enshrine relics of Phra Upali Thera and Phra Sirimanon Thera, 2 monks traditionally associated with the creation of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat.

 

A: Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes, bring drinking water, visit during daylight, and be careful on the hill path, especially during or after rain.

 

A: It is suitable for travelers interested in Thai history, Buddhist heritage, ancient architecture, local culture, archaeology, and peaceful sacred sites.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Wat Ratchakhiri Hiranyaram, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon on Khao Samo Khlaeng, Wang Thong Market, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, and Phitsanulok City Pillar Shrine.

 

A: Morning or daytime is best because visibility is good, the hill route is safer, and visitors can appreciate the details of the ancient chedi more clearly.