Lost in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya

The Land of Golden Pagodas not only has a splendid Bangkok or a poetic Chiang Mai, but also an ancient capital Ayutthaya which was very prosperous under the reign of King U Thong.

In the 1700s, Ayutthaya was probably the largest city in the world, covering an area of ​​over 289 hectares. However, after a disastrous defeat in the war with the Burmese in 1767, which resulted in the destruction and burning of many of its magnificent structures, Ayutthaya is now just a remnant of its former glory.

Before the Burmese invasion, this city of 1 million people was compared to Paris and Venice by European ambassadors. Today, that number is down to around 50,000, but the ancient capital remains Thailand’s top tourist attraction and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

If you're ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, head north to explore this once-glorious kingdom.

1. Means of transport to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is located 76km north of Bangkok, so getting there won’t take too long. Although you can explore Ayutthaya in just one day, consider staying overnight so you don’t feel rushed while visiting each landmark.

• Train: The train is the most convenient way to get to Ayutthaya because the space on the train is extremely comfortable, you do not have to worry about the nightmare of traffic jams on the streets of Bangkok and you can also watch the picture of suburban life pass by outside the window. There are many trains departing from Hualamphong station in Bangkok to Ayutthaya every day; each train trip takes about 2 hours.
• Bus: Buses depart from Bangkok’s Moh Chit station to Ayutthaya approximately every 20 minutes. Fares cost less than $2 and travel time is approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic.

2. Visit the Ayutthaya Historical Research Center

The first thing you should do when you arrive in Ayutthaya is to visitCenter for Historical Researchbecause it will help you better understand the history of this ancient capital.

Although the center is quite small and does not have much information in English, it still provides a good overview with elaborate scale models and old historical photos that successfully recreate scenes of daily life in Ayutthaya. It takes less than an hour and for a very low entrance fee, you will be equipped with a bit of historical knowledge so that you will not be confused by the series of relics you will explore later.

3. Cycling to explore Ayutthaya

Road conditions in Ayutthaya are relatively good, so rent a bicycle to spend more time at the main destinations without spending too much time commuting.

Ayutthaya is an island city located in a strategic defensive position at the confluence of three rivers, so getting lost is almost impossible, even if you are an expert at getting lost. The only thing to note when renting a bicycle is to check the tires and brakes for safety. You can also rent a cyclo, but don’t forget to negotiate the price before starting your tour.

4. Admire the famous Buddha head statue

One of the most famous images of Thailand originates from Ayutthaya, the image of a Buddha head stuck in a tree. And that tree is located inside the ancient temple Wat Mahathat.

Although this temple was also destroyed by the Burmese army, the Buddha head miraculously survived to this day. During the 100 years the temple was abandoned, instead of being crushed to ashes, a tree grew around the head and lovingly protected it.

Construction of Wat Mahathat began in 1374 and was completed between 1388 and 1395. The entrance fee is 50 baht. If you want to take a photo of the Buddha head in the tree, please show respect to this sacred place by not turning your back to the Buddha when taking the photo.

The temple is also famous for its headless Buddha statues. The reason is that collectors (both private and institutional) want to own the heads of these statues. So far, only a few prestigious universities and museums have done the right thing by returning the cultural relics that were looted from Thailand to Thailand. So, the Buddha heads that you still admire in your favorite museums are most likely waiting to return to Ayutthaya, where they belong.

5. Visit the largest temple in Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Si Sanphet is Ayutthaya’s largest temple and one of its most famous. In 1500, the temple held a Buddha statue that was over 15 meters tall and covered in hundreds of pounds of gold. Today, Wat Phra Si Sanphet’s main attractions are three towering stupas containing the ashes of members of the royal family. You can also see the remains of the Grand Palace in the same area. The entrance fee is 50 baht.

6. Amazed by the Buddha statue older than Ayutthaya

You might be tired after exploring so many temples, but there is one Buddha statue you absolutely must see at Wat Phanan Choeng. To get there, you have to take a short ferry ride.

Wat Phanan Choeng predates Ayutthaya by 26 years. It is still unclear who built the temple, but many kings helped restore it. Inside the temple is the famous golden Buddha image of Thailand, Phra Chao Phanan-Choeng, which has been there since 1325.

7. Enjoy boat noodles

If you are tired after exploring all the important monuments, why not experience the cuisine in Ayutthaya? As a prosperous capital, Ayutthaya's cuisine is influenced by India, China, Persia, Japan and even Europe. Therefore, the dishes here are much more diverse than other cities in Thailand.

Boat noodles (kuay tiow ruea), so named because they are cooked on boats, are said to be Ayutthaya’s signature dish. Look for long, three-plank boats with steaming pots to try this dish of rice noodles in a pork broth. Each shop will have different ingredients, but the bowls are usually cheap and small, so you don’t have to feel guilty about ordering more than one.

8. Stroll around the night market

The Ayutthaya Night Market is not only a place for shopping, but also a local gathering place with extremely cheap eats. You will have the opportunity to fully experience the culture, people as well as the quintessential cuisine at this market.

If you have dinner elsewhere, don’t forget to save room for some sweet desserts or drinks at the market. Ayutthaya’s night markets usually start to get busy after sunset and stay open until 9pm.

9. Should we go to the floating market?

If you haven’t been to a floating market in Bangkok, you can also float on the floating market of Ayutthaya. You can experience the cuisine, browse the souvenir stalls, and enjoy cultural performances inside the market.

However, like many commercial floating markets, don’t expect a unique, local experience. Ayutthaya Floating Market operates from 9am to 9pm. And although the entrance fee is 200 baht, there have been reports of tourists being ripped off by different prices based on their appearance. So, consider carefully before experiencing this type of market.

Hai Anh