Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a fascinating destination that seamlessly blends its rich history with modern culture. Located 85 kilometers north of Bangkok, this unique location combines ancient ruins with a lively urban atmosphere. As a cultural hotspot on your Thailand itinerary, Ayutthaya's history is not to be missed. The Ayutthaya Historical Park offers a glimpse into the past, where visitors can explore stone statues, temples, and palaces amidst the ruins for a relatively affordable price. With numerous temples scattered throughout the island, some remain operational while others lie in disrepair, with only a few monks able to maintain them.

Travel Guides

1. Transportation:

1.2. How to get there?

Ayutthaya is approximately 85 kilometers north of Bangkok and relatively easy to reach, depending on your budget and preferences. You can choose from rail, bus, private transfer, or group trip options.

The city's urban grid plan may seem simple for drivers, but it's easy to get lost if you make a wrong turn. Before entering the city, take Highway 309 to the Chao Sam Phraya roundabout and then continue west on Rochana Road, which becomes Naresuan Road. This will lead you to Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Alternatively, take the train from Bangkok and hire a tuk-tuk for transportation around the city. Negotiate a price with the driver before embarking on your journey and ensure you visit all the sights you want to see.

A day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya is available through local tour operators, often featuring a one-way boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and a car ride in the other direction. The cruise is typically peaceful, with several ruins and temples along the way.

1.2. Ways to get around:

Once you arrive in Ayutthaya, you'll need to figure out how to get around. You have two main options: hire a tuk-tuk with a driver or rent a bicycle and explore on your own.

If you prefer to take the tuk-tuk route, find one waiting for you at the train station and negotiate a price before hiring the driver. Be prepared to pay at least 500 Baht (12.99 USD) for a day's worth of transportation. Make sure to haggle the price beforehand.

You'll find bicycle rentals near the railway station, but we recommend taking the ferry over the river and renting bikes there to avoid the hassle of transporting them across the water. Bike rentals cost around 50 Baht (1.30 USD) per day.

Ayutthaya is also easily visited with a group tour or through a reputable travel agency. This option provides a convenient, stress-free experience, complete with a knowledgeable guide and transportation from start to finish, making it ideal for travelers with limited time or budget constraints.

2. Best times to visit:

The best time to visit Ayutthaya is between November and January, when rainfall is at its lowest and the weather is ideal. The city's temperature averages around 29°C (84°F) year-round, with December and January being the coolest months.

Places Of Interest
Ayutthaya Historical Park

This UNESCO World Heritage site comprises approximately 70 stunning temples and ruins, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and archaeologists. The vast expanse encompasses the historic Siamese capital city, featuring enormous Buddha statues set against a serene green backdrop that stands out against the scorching blue sky. You should visit to behold the splendor of what once was the Siamese capital of power and commerce. It is impossible not to be moved by it.

Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat was the royal ceremonial site for both religious and non-religious events before King Trailoknat replaced it with Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and is thought to be the spiritual center of the Early Ayutthaya Period. The temple has a Khmer-style prang (since collapsed) that was used to enshrine a tiny casket containing the Buddha's relics before Ayutthaya became the Siamese capital (now on display at Chao Sam Phraya Museum). Apart from the main prang, Wat Mahathat is home to the lone Buddha's head encased in the roots of an overgrown banyan tree, which has become a beloved Ayutthaya image. The Buddha's head is strictly guarded around the clock, and even the slightest act of disrespect (such as taking photographs while standing over it) will not be tolerated.

Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand  - Historic Site Review | Condé Nast Traveler

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is the largest temple in Ayutthaya, which served as the Royal Monastery from 1350 to 1448, situated on wide grounds within the walls of the former royal Grand Palace. The three distinctive chedis, which house the royal relics of three Ayutthaya Kings, are among the few remaining structures in the temple grounds, which are a must-see ruin site in and of themselves. Two mandapas for housing Buddhist literature and sacred artifacts previously existed on the empty space that presently stands between the three chedis. The concrete columns from the main chapel can still be seen to the east of the chedis. A wide cloister encircled the three stupas, with lines of smaller chedis positioned near the outside wall. The ruins of a smaller chapel with a now-headless Buddha image can be found at one end of the line created by the three chedis. It is fascinating to see how elegant curves may be made using regular bricks.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet  - Wikipedia

Wat Ratchaburana

The Khmer-style stupa (or prang) adorned with statues of the legendary god-bird Garuda, towering above a courtyard of chedis and a destroyed temple hall, seems like a tiny Angkor Wat. It was formerly one of Thailand's most magnificent temples. Ayutthaya's museum was built with funds raised from a handful of valuable artifacts recovered from drunken looters who attacked the temple in 1957. The rest of the collection is still on exhibit.

Wat Phra Ram

The picture of this 14th-century temple, reflected in the water of Bueng Phra Ram lake and silhouetted against a pink sky shortly after sunset, might just be Ayutthaya's most Instagrammable shot. With colonnades of chedis and vast galleries originally utilized by Thai royals and courtiers, it is one of Ayutthaya's most revered temples. The National Museum in Bangkok houses a massive carved sandstone Buddha footprint wrapped in ornate spirals and an exquisite wheel-mandala.

Wat Phra Ram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Welcome to a truly spectacular Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, which served as an architectural model for a number of following Thai sites. The striking design has an elevated platform and eight tall chedis, all connected by secret tunnels with colorful paintings depicting Buddha's life. Around the location, there are 120 sitting Buddha sculptures. They were initially painted black and gold, but now have orange curtains, creating a serene, gorgeous image.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Thammikarat

Wat Ratchaburana is located at the base of the Paa Than bridge in the Tha Wasukri subdistrict of the Phra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya (Krung Kao) district of Ayutthaya province. It's just north of Wat Mahathat and close to the royal palace. Wat Ratchaburana is the oldest temple in the province and one of the royal monasteries erected during the Ayutthaya period.

Parts of the terrace, the portico's pillars, and a chedi surrounded by lion statues may all be seen. The dozens of vividly colored rooster figurines, assumed to be offerings brought by residents, are a source of fascination. The enormous bronze Buddha head and the golden reclining Buddha hidden in one of the houses to the right of the chedi are also noteworthy.

File:Wat thammikarat.jpg  - Wikimedia Commons

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