Ayutthaya

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.

History

King Ramathibodi I founded the city of Ayutthaya in 1351, though the area was already settled in the Mon Dvaravati period, and sources say the Khmers set up a stronghold here around 850 and named it Ayodhya after the holy city in India; traces of an old reservoir near Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon may date from that Khmer settlement. The historical park today covers the ruins of the old city (Wikipedia, Ayutthaya Historical Park).

What you'll find

• 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.

Before you go

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.