Ayutthaya
Located to the north of Bangkok and accessible easily by train, the ancient city of Ayutthaya contains stunningly beautiful temples and historic sites.
Ayutthaya in a nutshell
Don’t miss out on a visit to Ayutthaya in Thailand, an incredible location full of magic and history. Although it’s located close enough to Bangkok to visit for a day, there’s so much to see that you’d be losing out. Rather come for a few days to absorb all that Ayutthaya has to offer.
Just three centuries ago, this fascinating location was one of the largest cities in the world, situated in what was then known as Siam, with a population of more than a million inhabitants. It was a wealthy city with numerous art treasures and historic sights, full of Buddhist monasteries, stone palaces and headless Buddha statues.
Ayutthaya lost its glory in the 18th century, when it was destroyed by Burmese forces. The devastated city was never rebuilt – instead a new capital was erected at Thornburi, further down the river and closer to Bangkok. And so Ayutthaya stands today, a lost city with remnants of its turbulent past that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Much of Ayutthaya has been restored to its former glory in the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park, and the project continues. Ancient treasures are around every corner here, in complete contrast to more modern buildings and amenities that have sprung up around the city.
Wander through the seemingly endless ruins at this extraordinary lost kingdom, home to 4 exquisite temples built between 1350 and 1529 as well as the Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the Royal Palace. When you’ve had your fill of history – and there is a lot to see – head for the Ayodha Floating Market to experience Thai life as it has been for centuries.
For more modern pursuits, you can explore the city’s Boat Museum and Krirk Yoonpan’s Million Toys Museum.
Best time to visit: From November to January, when there is little rain and the weather is good.
Best Area for Sightseeing: Ayutthaya Historical Park The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a wealth of historic sights to explore. See Things to do in Ayutthaya below.
Shopping in Ayutthaya: The city is a treasure trove full of handicrafts, including clay pottery, wicker baskets, boats and stone items. Scour the open-air markets to find treasures, or head for the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Center or the Thai Village, both full of workshops to explore. Make sure to visit the Ayodha Floating Market, a step back in time with wooden shops and floating restaurants.
Food & Restaurants in Ayutthaya: The city has a very unique cuisine, influenced by all the nations that visited here when Ayutthaya was capital of Siam. So make sure to experiment with flavors in a variety of eateries. Ayutthaya’s most famous dish is what is known as ‘boat noodles’, authentic rice noodles cooked in a pork broth, traditionally made on sampans. Also, sample some traditional dishes at the Bang Lan Night Market’s food stalls, where you can pick up something to take away or sit down.
Nightlife: Night tours to see the historic temples eerily lit up is a popular pursuit, as is a river cruise. Alternatively, the night markets have their fair share of stalls where you can purchase some local beer. The real action takes place out of the city center in the district of Grand Market, home to the city’s red light district, which is full of pubs, bars, live music venues and strip clubs.
Things to do in Ayutthaya:
- Visit the ruins of the 14th century Buddhist temple Wat Mahathat to see a stone Buddha head imbedded in a tree that grew around it.
- Explore the magnificent Royal Palace next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, once surrounded by 8 forts and 22 gates.
- Spend time discovering all the impressive ruins at the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
- Head out of the center of town to see Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, with numerous Buddha statues.
- See the meticulously restored Wat Chaiwatthhanaram, reminiscent of temples at Angkor.
- Discover Wat Ratchaburana with its Indian architecture.
Best way to get around: You can explore a lot of Ayutthaya’s sights by walking around but you 100% should hire a tuk tuk for the day and get a driver to take you round. There are plenty of friendly locals providing this service at the train station when you arrive. They will probably show you some pictures of various temples and ask you to agree that you want to see those ancient sites, then whisk you off on a brilliant tour of the area. Please give your driver a good tip at the end of the day because they are hardworking and lovely people!