Ayutthaya

TOP THINGS TO DO

Bang Pa-In Palace

Situated 60 km north of Bangkok on the banks of Chao Phraya River in Bang Pa-in District, Ayutthaya Province, Bang Pa-In Palace was used as a summer dwelling by Siamese royalty and their consorts. Originally built in 1632 under the reign of King Prasat Thong, the complex comprises several iconic buildings dotted around a large park.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkon

One of the best-preserved ancient royal monasteries, situated by the eastern entrance to the inner city, Wat Yai Chaimongkol is famous for its large reclining Buddha and a 62m inverted bell-shaped chedi (pagoda) built to commemorate King Naresuans victory over the Burmese. Set in vast landscaped grounds, the temple was constructed during King U-Thongs reign (1350 1369) as a forest temple school. Surrounding the principal chedi are cloister walls lined with several Buddha images a unique architectural feature of the Early Ayutthaya Period.

Wat Mahathat

elieved to be the spiritual centre of Early Ayutthaya Period, Wat Mahathat was the royal ceremonial ground for both religious and non-religious affairs before King Trailoknat replaced it with Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Built before Ayutthaya became the Siamese capital, the temple features a Khmer-style prang (now collapsed) which was used to enshrine a miniature casket containing the Buddhas relics (now on display at Chao Sam Phraya Museum). Apart from the principal prang, Wat Mahathat is the site of the lone Buddhas head entrapped by the roots of an overgrown banyan tree today a popular icon of Ayutthaya. The head is closely guarded around the clock, and even the slightest gesture of disrespect (e.g. taking photographs while standing over the Buddhas head) will not be tolerated.

Wat Chai Watthanaram

Set across the river, facing the inner city, this royal temple is one of the most elaborate interpretations of the Mount Meru concept in ancient Khmer architecture, heavily influenced by the architectural style of the Late Ayutthaya Period (1629 1767). The principal prang, modeled after the Ancient Khmer prangs, symbolises the centre of the universe, while the surrounding chedis depict the four continents and the outer universe. Each corner chedi houses two huge Buddha images set inside a wooden frame. The surrounding galleries contain eight smaller chedis and feature ornate relief patterns. The four sets of stairs that lead up the principal prang are very steep, so visitors are advised to proceed with caution.

Ayutthaya Map