Ayutthaya
The ruined former capital of Siam - the crumbling temples, prangs and Buddha statues of a once-glorious island city, a UNESCO site an easy day from Bangkok.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Ayutthaya was the glorious capital of the kingdom of Siam for four centuries, once one of the largest and richest cities in the world, before it was razed by the Burmese in 1767. Its evocative ruins, crumbling brick prangs, rows of headless Buddhas and the famous stone Buddha head cradled in the roots of a tree, spread across an island city, a UNESCO site and an easy day trip from Bangkok.
What you actually see
- The temple ruins - the crumbling brick prangs and chedis of the old city.
- The Buddha head in the tree - the stone head cradled in banyan roots at Wat Mahathat.
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram - the grand riverside temple, beautiful at sunset.
- The rows of Buddhas - the lines of seated and weathered images.
When to go
November to February for the coolest weather, as the site is hot and exposed; go early or late to avoid the midday heat, and sunset over the riverside temples is beautiful. Cycling or a tuk-tuk links the scattered ruins.
Honest expectations
The ruins are spread across a large area, so a bicycle, tuk-tuk or car is needed to link them, and the sun is fierce with little shade. It is a popular day trip, so tour groups arrive midday. Each temple charges separately. It rewards imagination to picture the vanished glory.
Nearby
Bang Pa-In summer palace is nearby; Bangkok is an hour and a half south.
What to pack for Ayutthaya
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
