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An update from Evaneos
Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya (Thailand)

Practical information about Ayutthaya

  • River
  • Place or Religious Monument
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Unesco World Heritage
  • Essential
4 / 5 - 3 reviews
How to get there
90 minutes from Bangkok by bus
When to go
From November through February
Minimum stay
One day

Reviews of Ayutthaya

Travel writer
193 travel articles

Ayutthaya was the second historic capital of Thailand, then known as the Kingdome of Siam. The city was founded in 1350 and today still houses the remains of ancient temples.

My suggestion:
When you’ve visited the temples on terra firma, I would advise you to take an evening boat trip on the river which encircles the city. You will see be able to see other religious buildings, including a huge gilded Buddha.
Summary:

The ancient city of Ayutthaya is a good one hour bus ride from Bangkok. The city is encircled by the waters of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi, and Pa Sak rivers which form an island upon which most of the remains of the city can be found. The other temples are located on the banks, including the magnificent Wat Chai Watthanaram, the architecture of which is reminiscent of the temples of Angkor in Cambodia.

The city of Ayutthaya was classed as aWorld Heritage Site by UNESCOin 1991. I decided that the best way to see the city was to hire a bike to cover the distances between all the different temples more easily and to save time and energy! To get a good idea of the hidden treasures of the city, I spent two days there before continuing my trip through Thailand. After a hard day’s sightseeing, what better way to spend the evening than with a delicious bowl of noodles and an ice cold Chang Beer in the covered market?

The Wat Phanan Choeng Buddha in Ayutthaya
Romain Beuvart Travel writer
89 travel articles

The ancient capital of the kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya Historical Park has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

My suggestion:
The main sites are concentrated in the same area, so you can rent a bike to get from each one to the next.
Summary:

Ayuttaya is right next to Bangkok,  so it's entirely possible to take a single day excursion there. If you enjoy archaeological sites, then Ayutthaya is clearly a must see during your stay in Thailand. But as for me, it isn't the ruins of old temples that attract me. I like Ayutthaya because the setting is nice and wooded, and Thais often have picnics in the area.

I avoidriding an elephant, because it's too touristy and a little controversial for me because of the conditions of these animals' lives. I recommend simply going for a bike ride, a walk, or calling on a tuk tuk to see the many temples that make up this historic park.

Among my favorites is the Wat Chai Watthanaram, nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, which offers especially spectacular colors at sunset. Few people know it, but Ayutthayawas also a commercial trading spot with the first Europeans to settle in the area, as evidenced by the Portuguese church and the ancient Japanese village.

Wat Chai Watthanaram in Ayutthaya
Marine Faure Travel writer
47 travel articles

Ayutthaya is a city listed as UNESCO World Heritage located one and a half hours from Thailand's capital.

My suggestion:
Get to the main sites early in the morning to avoid groups of tourists.
Summary:
I visited Ayutthaya from Bangkok and spent one day and one night there. It's also possible to do the excursion in a single day, returning to the capital in the evening.
Ayutthaya is a former capital of the Kingdom of Siam and is therefore a city marked by history. Part of it has been destroyed, and the ruins of its palaces and its temples today make up the city's historical area. I stayed the night in the city's modern center, which as been constructed away from the old part, though I was easily able to reach the historical park on foot.
Around fifteen different sites make up the ruins, and these include a famous reclining Buddha and some ancient tombs incorporating pretty bricks in reddish orange colours.
I'm not especially a fan of archaeology, but as I looked around the museums and ancient remains of this city I found my interest in the sacred city of Ayutthaya piqued. It is one of the essential places to see when touring Thailand!
Ayutthaya Historical Park