Viewed by Thais as the cradle of the nation, Sukhothai was once the capital of a kingdom that stretched from Martaban, in present-day Myanmar, to Luang Prabang, in modern Laos. For two hundred years, the kings of Sukhothai reigned supreme over the region, dictating laws, ordering the construction of numerous structures, and trading with outside powers. Eventually, Sukhothai fell into a decline and was later absorbed by the kingdom of Ayutthaya. Today, Sukhothai, which translates to "Dawn of Happiness", is a well-preserved ancient city, and one filled with temples, stupas, and intricate elephant carvings made in stone. Because of its state, Sukhothai was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, and the entire area was converted into a historical park. While Sukhothai is eclipsed by the fame of Cambodia's Angkor Wat and central Thailand's Ayutthaya, it is nonetheless a historic, culturally significant site that sees considerably fewer tourists than both the aforementioned cities.