What to Expect for a Full Day Itinerary in Ayutthaya

Around 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is home to temple ruins, historical sites, and other beautiful sightseeing. Follow this following itinerary to spend one day in Ayutthaya to experience the hidden charm of Thailand.

Ayutthaya is known as a historic city and now an archaeological ruin featuring the remains of antique relics and the splendor of ancient architecture. Most of the full-day tours in Ayutthaya offer an excursion from Bangkok by a boat trip cruising along the Chao Phraya River and minivan on the other way. The one-day itinerary will take you to the main highlights of cultural heritage, mesmerizing temples, and ruins in Ayutthaya. If you are going to visit this historical city, take a look at our itinerary for one day tour around Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Come to Ayutthaya Historical Park, the main highlight of the one-day itinerary in Ayutthaya. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see for a comprehensive overview of Ayutthaya’s history and past glory. Surrounded by the ruins and a dense of ancient trees, the Ayutthaya Historical Park complex is home to four sacred temples (Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana), the Royal Palace, and Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit. It goes without saying that one day is not enough to discover all the historical sites dotted from the west, south to the eastern part of Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Ayutthaya Historical Park, a must-see for the one-day itinerary in Ayutthaya

Wat Mahathat

A one-day trip to Ayutthaya must include a visit to Wat Mahathat, the temple of Great Relic dating back to 1374. The last collapse was in the early 20^th century when Wat Mahathat still maintained the concepts of ancient Khmer design. It was the center of Buddhism in the Ayutthaya Kingdom and enshrined Buddha relics. Nowadays, Wat Mahathat is the headquarters of the Mahanikai school of Buddhism and the monastic learning center for members all over Southeast Asia.

Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

The next stop on a one-day excursion in Ayutthaya is Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the political and spiritual heart of the lost kingdom. Also called the Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the holiest temple of the old Royal Palace. While wandering around Ayutthaya Historical Park, you can see the resemblance of temples here is that they were severely destroyed in the past. Most of the day trips to Ayutthaya will take you to the ruins sites and exploration of Ayutthaya’s heritage.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit

Another fascinating sight to call on is Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit, also called Wihan or preaching hall where houses the Phra Mongkon Bophit Buddha image. The bronze-gilded Buddha Image is one of few statues to survive the attack of Ayutthaya by the Burmese armies in the late 18^th century.

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol 

Continue the Ayutthaya day trip with a short visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, a temple situated off the city island in Ayutthaya. The Monastery of Auspicious Victory was said to be built as the place for monks returning from Sri Lanka to rest their heads on the eastern banks of the Pa Sak River. Take a stroll around Wat Yai Chai Mongkol to marvel at an impressively large reclining Buddha statue and rows of smaller Buddha statues surrounding the towering Chedi.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

Set location on the bank of Chao Phraya River in Bang Pa-In District, Bang Pa-In Summer Palace is a former royal palace built since the Ayutthaya period. It was used to be a summer dwelling by Siamese royalty and their consorts. You should spend a little time on your Ayutthaya day trip admiring iconic buildings and Thailand’s history under the reign of King Prasat Thong.

Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

Cruise down the Chao Praya River

After the morning discovery of the religious sites in Ayutthaya, you can enjoy lunch in a riverside restaurant or onboard, depending on each day tour’s itinerary. On the way back to Bangkok, you can let your hair down on a cruise and enjoy the fascinating scenery along the River of Kings. From the charming ruins to the graceful Temple Of Dawn - Wat Arun and the gorgeous Royal Grand Palace.

Mesmerizing sunset at the Chao Praya River after one day in Ayutthaya

End of the day trip in Ayutthaya, many people must imagine how charming and sumptuous Ayutthaya city was in the past. Follow our itinerary in Ayutthaya in one day to explore the beauty of the surroundings around Bangkok.

Hong Nhung

(Image sources: Internet)