Many people miss the opportunity to explore Ayutthaya when they travel to Thailand, but this marvelous historical place is the home to the famous Buddha head in the tree! This city has one of the most impressive set of temples and was awarded UNESCO world heritage status and was once Thailand's capital city. Not only was this city the former capital of Thailand, but about three hundred years ago, it was the largest city in the whole world, but its glory faded when it got razed by the Burmese in the 17th century. Today, visitors can explore series of ruined temples and much more. It's a must visit, trust us!
Ayutthaya is a very photogenic place but you'll need an idea of what you want to see since many of the sites look very much alike. So, we have put down three of the most important sites that you should definitely not miss. Please keep in mind its impossible to see everything with just a day, but if you have more time check out other sites that are intriguing to you. You should always have a plan of what you want to see, so you can plan accordingly and navigate your way through it since not all of the sites are in the same area.
THE MUST SEES
Ayutthaya Historical Heritage Park
Wat Phra Mahathat
Wat Phra Mahathat is famous for having a buddha’s head entwined in the roots of an overgrown banyan tree which has become the most popular icon of Ayutthaya.
Wat Mahathat was once a royal ceremonial ground for both religious and non-religious matters and the main spiritual center in early Ayutthaya period before a king replaced it with Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
It also has some structures that have collapsed which had miniature casket with a Buddha’s relics. If you would like to see it, it's on display in the museum.
Opening Hours
Saturday 8 am until 6 pm
Entrance Fees
Tourists pay a 30 Baht to enter the courtyard of the giant chedi.
The museum carries and additional entry fee.
Wat Phra Si Sunpet
This is Ayutthaya's largest and the most important temple with dozens of structures, and the one site you absolutely cannot miss. This temple is in the royal Grand Palace complex and was once home to a giant Buddha covered in gold, but the Burmese armies melted it down as part of their pillaging when they destroyed a large part of the temple leaving only three huge stupas standing.
Because this monastery was a royal temple, it was only used by Ayutthaya Kings, so no monks lived there.
The main attraction of this temple are the three massive chedis in a row. Two of the chedis were built by a king named Ramathibodi II to enshrine his father's and brother's ashes who were the kings before him. Decades later, another king built a third chedi to enshrine the ashes of King Ramathibodi II. The Chedis are featured as the symbol of Ayutthaya all over the place. Opening hours 8 am until 5 pm.
Entrance fees Admission is 50 Baht.
Southeast Ayutthaya
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
This is one of the major temples in Ayutthaya district and the only temple where monks still reside.
It was founded by the first ruler of Ayutthaya and became an important temple when it was made the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the forest sect of Buddhism.
This temple is mainly known for one of the largest outdoor reclining Buddhas in Thailand which was restored in the 1965.
It's worth a visit even if just want to see the Reclining Buddha. If you climb the stairs of the center building on the site, you can see the view of the entire site. Just like the other sites in Ayutthaya this site was largely destroyed during the Burmese invasion.
Opening Hours
Saturday 8 am until 6 pm
Entrance Fee
There was no entrance fee when we went, but it says they charge 20 Baht online.
Just a quick reminder, it's still a sacred Buddhist site, so the same dress code of visiting a Thai temple applies here. So respect the Thai culture and cover the knees and shoulders.