Ayutthaya The great capital of the kingdom

Ayutthaya was established by King U Thong as the capital of Thailand in 1351. It was the time of greatest splendor of the Thai people. It was the center of Thailand for over 400 years from 1,350 to 1,767. Ayutthaya was the largest city in the kingdom with more than 400 temples and was also the epicenter of the country’s wealth. During the Ayutthaya period, Thailand and Burma lived in conflict and the great capital was invaded twice in 1569 and 1767. The last conquest was the reason why Ayutthaya ceased to be the capital of Thailand.

Unfortunately, the wealth and prosperity of ancient Ayutthaya were destroyed in the last war against Burma. Today, we are left with an impressive archaeological legacy of ancient temples and palaces. This historical wonder has earned it the title of World Heritage by UNESCO since 1991.

How to go from Bangkok to Ayutthaya on your trip through Thailand?

Ayutthaya is located 85 kilometers from Bangkok. Very close to the current capital of Thailand, it is offered as a one-day visit from Bangkok. It is also a perfect choice as a stopover on your trip to northern Thailand.

If you are considering Ayutthaya in your trip to Thailand but still do not have a clear itinerary, we are going to show you some of the most representative places that this city has to offer:

What can you see in Ayutthaya?

• Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. Southeast of Ayutthaya, it was one of the first temples built in Ayutthaya. In the center of the temple is one of the largest chedi (stupa) of the archaeological park and can also be climbed to get the best views of the place.
• Wat Maha That. It is located in the central part of Ayutthaya. It was one of the most important temples of the kingdom. With a combination of traditional Thai and Cambodian Khmer art, the figure of the Buddha’s head buried between the roots of a tree stands out above all.

• Wat Phra Si San Phet. It is located in the northeast zone. The structure contains three huge chedis symbolizing the first 3 kings of Ayutthaya. According to legend, the chedis house the ashes of each of the kings of the kingdom.
• Wat Chaiwatthanaram. It is one of the most outstanding and best preserved royal temples in Ayutthaya. It was built by King Prasat Thong as a souvenir to his mother. Many of the temples in Thailand follow an architectural model similar to that of Wat Chaiwatthanaram.

• The Royal Palace of Bang Pa In. A deserved rest in the middle of the archaeological park. After visiting the ruins, we recommend the royal palace of Bang Pa In. A modern palace, former royal residence on holiday, in perfect condition. Built by King Chulalongkorn at the end of the 19th century on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

As a unique experience, we recommend Thanatharee. An impressive river cruise that will show you the archaeological park from a very different point of view to the typical one.

Are you ready to enjoy Ayutthaya? Would you like to include it in your trip? Take a look at our trips to Thailand and ask us for a tailor-made one.

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