Thailand uses the heart of its culture high on its sleeve. however the ancient city of Ayutthaya – perhaps the most culturally considerable part of the country as well as when its funding – is frequently overlooked, even though it’s so close to Bangkok.

Thailand is in a symbiotic connection with its own identity.

Together the two parts thrive, producing a location in our world with a vitality that nourishes the soul. however one without the other would lack colour as well as vibrance; a monochrome solo of a like tune duet.

And although the voice of this nation sings clearly, it’s to a range of tunes.

Compare the bustle, grit as well as gold of Bangkok streets to the humble homes of rural villages far off. Or the lonesome slopes of mountain borders to the thronged beaches of the paradisiacal south.

Each has its own melody, each its own beat.

But one location where the lyrics are most gorgeous however frequently unheard is the moated city of ruins, the when funding of the Kingdom of Siam: Ayutthaya.

Here’s our video guide to Ayutthaya:

Click right here to watch the video on YouTube.

Ayutthaya – the funding of the Kingdom of Siam

Caught in the confluence of three colliding rivers, Ayuthaya is an island city with its own natural moat, surrounded as well as therefore secured by deep, streaming waters.

These rivers make their method far northwest almost to the borders of Burma, northeast to Laos, as well as south to the sea via Bangkok. These far-reaching waterways made the funding of Siam the trading hub of southern Asia.

In spite of the security as well as riches the rivers brought Ayutthaya, they might not save the city from Burmese armies that would ultimately ruin the city absolutely in 1767.

However, in the 417 years of its reign, Ayutthaya was the focus of the kings’ affection, with many gorgeous temples as well as palaces being developed here.

It’s these temples, smashed, damaged as well as burnt by the Burmese, that make this city such a unique focal point for visitors – both Thai as well as international.

In spite of its size – the old city is only about 3km x 1km – Ayutthaya is a microcosm of food, history, culture, riches as well as Thai ideologies.

Ayutthaya’s temples

The biggest drawcard for Ayutthaya is its temples. influenced by the shrines of Cambodia, the pagodas right here are more bell-shaped. You get a sense that these are much older than anything in Bangkok, which was bit more than a swamp in Ayutthaya’s heyday.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

The very first ruins you should see are Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the southwestern side of the city. This site is outside the old city walls on the other side of the river moat.

Surrounded by a number of tall, traditionally Thai pointy pagodas, the elaborate central ‘Cambodian’ bell shaped stupa is so striking. It feels like you’re in an India Jones set.

This temple as well as its grounds was developed in 1630 as well as was a memorial monument as well as tribute to King Prasart Thong’s late mother.

Overlooking the river, there’s likewise a fantastic view of the queen’s summertime palace right here too.

Wat Mahathat – the deal with in the fig tree

Perhaps the most famous part of Ayutthaya – as well as an picture we’ve all seen however most likely not understood it’s from right here – is Wat Mahathat as well as the Buddha deal with in the banyan tree.

This temple as well as its grounds are stated to have been developed in 1384, though parts of it have been reconstructed over time.

It’s a fascinating, gorgeous complex, full of intricate pagodas as well as chedi. There are actually numerous Buddha statues right here too, though most are damaged in some way.

During the sacking of Ayutthaya, the Burmese defaced as well as destroyed many of the religious images. There are piles of fragments of Buddha statues around temples in Ayutthaya, which can seem a bit grisly at times. They are being put back together, however it’s like the world’s most difficult jigsaw puzzle.

The deal with in the tree might have been from desecration or just from the tree growing around a statue while the city was in ruins. Either way, it’s an eerie, moving spectacle.

Reclining Buddha statues – Wat Lokkayasutha as well as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhol

There are a few reclining Buddha statues in Ayutthaya. The complying with two are both huge, however the bigger of the two (29m long) is in Wat Lokkayasutha in the west of the city. It isn’t in as great condition as the other though as well as the ruins around it aren’t as interesting.

The other reclining Buddha in Wat Yai Chai Mongkhol is east of the city outside the moated walls. It’s worth the additional effort to get there. Not only is the Buddha in excellent condition, however the grounds as well as gardens are beautiful.

There’s likewise a big pagoda you can walk up as well as go inside. views from its walls out across the countryside as well as over the temple site are amazing.

Hot tip: the bathrooms right here are the nicest you’ll discover outside of hotels or restaurants!

Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit – the most amazing site of all

This site is the most incredible of all the temples in Ayutthaya – perhaps in Thailand, as well as it is available in two parts.

First of all, go to the fairly modern-looking temple or ‘mondop’ with the pitched roof as well as pillars similar to most Thai Buddhist temples. inside is one of the biggest bronze Buddha statues in the country at almost 17m in height with a 9.5m-wide lap as well as evaluates about 64 tons. It’s likewise covered in about 350kg of gold leaf.

Outside the temple with a tall brick wall is the even more impressive Wat Phra Si Sanphet – the holiest, most important temple in the Kingdom of Siam.

The three remarkable stupa that line up in front of the ruins of where a big chapel when stood. They are in truth burial sites of three past kings.

The rest of the grounds are beautifully serene, with dark-red brick walls as well as gardens throughout the complex.

It’s a magnificent location to go to – reinforced with a UNESCO world Heritage listing in its own right.

Ayutthaya’s food

Giant river prawns at the Klang Markets

If you eat nothing else while you’re here, make sure it’s the famed giant river prawns of Ayutthaya. These monsters, with long blue pincers are finest bought at the Klang Markets east of the city.

You can pick your online prawns – the bigger they are the more costly – as much as about TBH600 per kilo as well as you only get about two prawns for that.

You can then go with the back of the market to a bit cafe where they cook the prawns as well as bring them to your table – all in that price.

Don’t just have the prawns though. There are so many tasty things to eat right here at the market.

Baan Kao Nhom cafe

This fun quite cafe wouldn’t be out of location in most western capitals, however its aesthetic isn’t the only technique up this cafe’s sleeve.

They roast their own coffee right here – most of which is locally grown – as well as the cakes as well as treats are made in-house too.

A contemporary cafe serving traditional sweets in an ancient town.

Sala Ayutthaya

This elegant restaurant backs right on to the Chao Phraya River – the extremely exact same river that flows with Bangkok. From the veranda you get gorgeous views of the royal palace as well as the ruins of Wat Phutthaisawan across the water.

The food right here is excellent – a mix of contemporary style Thai as well as traditional dishes. as well as lots of fresh prawns as well as shellfish from the river too.

Boat noodle soup

This hearty meal is a bit questionable as it contains pig blood. however if you can tummy the idea, you’ll be rewarded with a rich, spicy soup that’s so good. I like this meal however didn’t realise that it originated right here in Ayutthaya.

Where to stay in Ayutthaya

Sala Ayutthaya – right on the river – is a stunning hotel. Its entrance is complimented with a little art gallery as well as the walls with to the veranda produce an impressive welcome.

A cross between post-modern surrealism as well as ancient Thai temples, the curving walls are made with the exact same style flat red bricks you’ve seen in the ruins you’ve explored during the day.

Rooms are industrial stylish with lofted ceilings, vast bathtubs, as well as beautifully minimalist fittings as well as decoration. as well as as we mentioned, the food right here is excellent.

We stayed in the gorgeous Sala Phuket – the sibling hotel on the beach you can checked out about here.

There are lots of other locations to stay in Ayutthaya, however this is the only one we’ve experienced. however being so close to Bangkok, Ayutthaya is the perfect day trip destination.

Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Guided tours

Our finest advice is to get a tour guide to take you there. We travelled with absolutely great Holidays, which – as the name suggests, was excellent.

Our day tour from Bangkok included a minivan for the whole trip – Ayutthaya’s only about 80km north of Bangkok.

They have a number of multi-day tours that take you with a few other locations including Ayutthaya which likewise look brilliant.

Self-drive

It’s possible to hire a vehicle as well as drive to Ayutthaya – it should take about 75 minutes from Bangkok. however Driving in the funding is a genuine risk. getting lost, traffic, hire vehicle scams as well as of program the sheer risk of the roads makes it a much less compelling option.

How to get to Ayutthaya on public transport

There are public transfer choices for Bangkok to Ayutthaya, however it’s complicated.

First, take an MRT or BTS skytrain to Mo Chit Station. then take a taxi or motorbike taxi, or jump on buses 26, 77, 96, 104, 136, 145, or 509 to get to the right bus section to Ayutthaya.

It should take about 90 minutes to get to Ayutthaya by bus as well as train… if whatever goes smoothly!

Once you’re in the city itself, it shouldn’tbe as well difficult to discover a taxi or motorbike taxi to take you around.

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We travelled to ayutthaya as media with the tourism Authority of Thailand.