Historic City of Ayutthaya

The Historic City of Ayutthaya is known as the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished in over 400 years from the 14th to the 18th centuries. During that time, it grew to be one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and largest urban areas and a center of global commerce and diplomacy. Ayutthaya was situated on an island covered by three rivers which linked the city to the sea. This site was chosen as it was situated above the Gulf of Siam’s tidal bore because it existed at that time. Therefore, it helped to prevent the attack of the city by the sea - going warships of other nations.

Ayutthaya, which was founded in 1350s. After that, it was destroyed by the Burmese within the 18th century. Its remains, characterized by gigantic monasteries and the prang, give an idea of its own past splendor. In fact, the Historic City of Ayutthaya has to be one of the most impressive place in the world all the time. First of all, it served as the unique capital of the Siamese Kingdom in Thailand. Ayutthaya was well situated to fill in the power vacuum after the fall of the impressive Angkor Empire. It then flourished as possibly the most important economic capital of the world over the next 400 years because it strategically lied between India and China. Two centuries after the construction, in 1969 to be specific, the renovation and reconstruction job was conducted at the old city of Ayutthaya (particularly within the area now covered within the Ayutthaya Historical Park).

Historic City of Ayutthaya

As the centuries went, Ayutthaya’s influence diminished while other nearby empires strengthened. It is the final demise came when the Burmese sacked and invaded the city, burning it to the ground in the year of 1767. The buildings were never rebuilt although. In 1976, since it was named a historical park, the efforts at its conservation grew more serious and intense. Nowadays, what remains are mostly temples as well as parts of the palace. They were built in stone. Pre-industrial city might have looked like, what remains gives people a small glimpse while one can only imagine how it massive. At present, Ayutthaya is located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The whole area of the World Heritage property is 289 ha.

Ayutthaya is really similar to Sukhothai, except it is a much busier city. Moreover, the attractions are spread out over a larger area, not confined to a single park. It is a Northern suburb of Bangkok and can easily be reached by tour bus or taxi in 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. On holidays, the temples are always packed with people. Nowadays, people all know that Ayutthaya is an archaeological ruin, characterized by the remains of Buddhist monasteries of monumental proportions and tall prang, which give an idea of this area’s past size and the splendor of the architecture. Well-known from maps and contemporary sources, Ayutthaya was laid out according to a rigid and systematic city planning grid, including canals, moats and roads around all of the principal structures. The scheme took the maximum advantage of the position of this city in three rivers’ midst and had a hydraulic system for water management - technologically advanced and unique in the world.

Historic City of Ayutthaya

The Historic City of Ayutthaya is a cultural site which has been recognized into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand. It was added to the list in the year of 1991 citing its role in shaping the culture and history of Thailand. Ayutthaya’s old city spans about 400 years in history. It was once a prosperous capital of trade and politics in Thailand. However, just as it quickly rose to its height, it was also abandoned and defaced. Currently, what you see when you visit the Ayutthaya Historical Park is what was left of this once prosperous kingdom. The religious temples and monuments in the Historic City of Ayutthaya exemplify the power and grandeur of this once-flourishing kingdom. It was a great showcase of the wealth of the Kings at that time. They now still serve as concrete reminders of the dark phase of Thailand’s history and that this time period really did exist.

Inside this city, there are numerous temples but some of the most notable ones include the following:

First is Wat Mahathat. This Buddhist building is one of the main temples which belong to the Ayutthaya Historical Park. According to some researchers, this temple was built in 1374 by King Borommaracha I.

Wat Mahathat

Secondly, Wat Ratchaburana is another Buddhist temple positions within Ayutthaya and was founded in 1424. The main prang of the temple is regarded as one of the best in Ayutthaya. You can find this temple at the North of Wat Mahathat.

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. This is known as the holiest temple at the site of the old Royal Palace in Ayutthaya – Thailand’s ancient capital. The temple is regarded as the most beautiful and grandest of all temples in the old city.

Finally, Wat Thammikarat is one of the most recognizable temples within the ruins at the Historic City of Ayutthaya. The most distinctive feature of this temple is the central chedi surrounded by sculptures of guardian lions. There are many claims that say the temple existed even before the Ayutthaya period and researchers agree with this claim based on architectural evidence.

Wat Thammikarat

In the summer, Ayuttaya is hot, sometimes very hot. Therefore, most visitors may want to rely on the abundance of Tuk-Tuk or Songtaews which will cost nearly 100 THB/ journey.

If you choose to transport to the train station or bus terminal, you should budget 500 THB. However, it is also the most scenic option. You must go to the Hualamphong Train Station in Bangkok and it will stop in Ayutthaya. The average duration of the trip is 1 hour and 20 minutes or up to 2 hours depending on the type of train you take.

A cheaper option to get around is hiring a bicycle from about 50 THB per day or a motorcycle from about 200 THB. You can also hire a bike for the day though most people suggest doing this on the Western side of the river. 

Or else, travelers can also drive by car following a wide range of route options such as Highway 1, Highway 304, Highway 306 or Expressway No.9. The choice of route to take will vary on where they are coming from. You can also hire a taxi to get you there. The cheapest way to travel to Ayutthaya is via train.

The Ayutthaya Historical Park is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. There will be no entry permitted to those temples outside of the opening hours. Therefore, if you want to take a trip to this city, you should arrange and schedule carefully to explore fully the beauty of this place.