Wat Chang Rop, an ancient site in Kamphaeng Phet

Wat Chang Rop, Kamphaeng Phet is the largest and most important temple outside the city walls. It is located on a high hill. The main chedi is a Sri Lankan-style chedi in a round bell shape. There is a large chedi in the middle of the courtyard. The base of the chedi is 31 meters wide. The square base of the chedi is in the shape of half an elephant, showing only the front 2 legs, turning their heads away from the base. Surrounding the chedi are 68 decorated elephants. Between the elephants are stucco designs in the shape of Bodhi leaves. There are also traces of giants and dancers attached but they are broken and incomplete. There are four stairs on each side. At the base of the stairs is a broken lion at the base. The base of the chedi from the ground to the upper southern courtyard is about 7 meters high. In the middle of the courtyard is a chedi with an octagonal base, about 20 meters wide. It is a Sri Lankan-style chedi with a broken top. There is a single room in front. After the main chapel is a pond dug into the laterite floor. It is 23 meters wide and 8 meters deep. There is water in some seasons. The use of elephants as decoration may have a symbolic meaning in the history of Buddhism that elephants are auspicious animals that help support Buddhism. It may also mean The elephant that supports Mount Sumeru, the center of the universe Location: Located at Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, Nong Phling Subdistrict, Mueang Kamphaeng Phet District, Kamphaeng Phet Province