14 Things to Do in Ayutthaya

For a hard core traveller you will find yourself surrounded with many thing to do in Ayutthaya. You cannot definitely miss the chance to see Wat Mahathat where you can get into the secret chambers which has uncovered gold jewellery, golden casket with a relic of Buddha.

If history is what fascinates you then you can experience the historical temple which has some of the impressive sights in the ruined city. You can find fascinating wall art at Wat Ratchaburana which is done by Chinese artists who have settled there. Quite interestingly, you can also visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is another interesting sight which shouldn’t be missed.

Here are some of the best things to do in Ayutthaya:

01Wat Phra Si Sanphet
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Image Credit : Guillén Pérez
Ayutthaya’s most ancient temple, Wat Phra Si Sanphet is a grand, beautiful structure that should be explored once in a lifetime. The stunning temple was built in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I and has a beautiful architecture.

Although the original temple was destroyed by Burmese in 1767, the structure and its legacy still remains. The temple, during its period of complete existence was the temple of the royal family. No moks lived at the place.

Image Credits : Bertrand DUPERRIN

Highlights: The impressive structure of the place has additional facilities that are on the raised platform. These platforms are called the three Chedis and has been restored. The design is in Ceylonese style, which is a reminiscent of a bell. Overall, the terrace is surrounded by a cloister. It has symmetrically designed four halls which were once used for meeting purposes.

Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District
02Wat Lokkayasutharam
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Want to discover the true nature and beauty of Buddhist spiritualism? Then visit Wat Lokkayasutharam. Located inside the temple complex, this is a fascinating historical site that will immediately capture your attention. In fact, it is every bit as fascinating as the Mayan or Inca ruins. The place is serene and beautiful, with peacefulness surrounding all around.

Highlights: The main highlight her is the reclining Buddha statue, which is effortlessly detailed and so stunningly depicted that it will leave an imprint on your heart. But it’s not just the Buddha, even the overall culture that will leave an impression on you.

Here, you will find other tiny statuettes that people will push you to buy for Good luck. You will also find village women selling flowers and incense at the place. The Buddha itself is quite impressive and you can explore other ruins that mark the beauty of this place.

Location: Ayutthaya Historical Park
03Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
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A stunning religious site, Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is whre you can find one of the most detailed bronze Buddha statues in the world. Here, the Buddha image has lap measurement of 9.55 meters. The statue stands at a height of 12.45 meters and features exceptional level of detail.

Image Credits : Wikipedia

Highlights: The highlight of this temple is the Buddha statue, which is one of the largest in the country. It is believed that the beautiful statue was built during the Ayutthaya Era of King Srongtam. But, a thunderbolt had caused some damage to the main dome of this temple, which has been restored over the years.

Now, the interesting part of this temple is that the roof of the dome is a part of the cathedral, which makes it similar to a Church. Over the years, it was restored again to the Ayutthaya architectural style.

Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District.
04Wat Chaiwatthanaram
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A stunning Buddhist temple, Wat Chaiwatthanaram is the place to visit if you are interested in learning more about the historical cultural of Thailand. The wonderfully designed temple has architectural influences from both Hinduism and Buddhism, featuring detailed edifices, towers and extensive carvings.

Highlights: The place is a part of Ayutthaya Historical Park. Although, it is not a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is certainly known for its extensive detailing. Constructed by King Prasat Thong, this is the temple that depicts long reign and a glorious era. Designed in Khmer style of the 17thcentury, the place has a high prang or tower, with four smaller towers.

The rectangular platform used construction has hidden entrances with steep stairs that lead to the top. There’s an ordination hall in the two with chedis. Large sitting Buddha statues dominate the overall construction. The royal temple was used for performing religious ceremonies.

Location: Ayutthaya Historical Park
05Chao Phrom Market
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If you are looking for something different and seek to explore the underbelly of Ayutthaya, then Chao Phrom Market is the place to be. The bustling undercover market is the place to be, if you want to enjoy sweet Muslim snacks, wish to try curries and want to explore the taste of a Spicy Dip.

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Highlights: Apart from Muslim snacks, the place is quite popular for its Chinese dishes. The place is an authentic market that offers fresh produce. If you are planning on staying in Thailand for a while and wish to explore it further, then shop for day to day necessities at this place.

The local Thai market has fresh items, from non-vegetarian delicacies to delectable desserts that any epicurean will love to try. It also explores the dynamic relationship that Thailand has with rest of the South Asia.

Location: Th Naresuan.

Price: 200-1000 Baht
06Boat Tour
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Ayutthaya Boat ride and tour is one of the most enchanting experiences in Thailand. The lazy river journey takes one through the Thailand’s ancient temple cities and regions, bringing forward the romantic notions of Buddhist spirituality. This even includes UNESCO World Heritage sites. The slow and sleepy ride has its own, unique allure and has a charming tendency that will leave an indispensable imprint on your heart. You will get the chance to gaze at fishermen casting net and children playing with football while house dogs would be rolling around.

Image Credits : Adam Baker

Highlights: The main highlight of this ride is that it truly brings you closer to the Thai culture. It goes beyond temple as you get to experience modern and traditional riverside life. You would even see things like a boat advertising banking service or a floating clinic that will melt your heart.

Location: From Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.

Best Time: December to February
07An Elephant Stay
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Get hands on cultural experience and explore the world on an Elephant with the Elephant Stay. The Royal Elephant Kraal is only one left in Thailand. The elephants here are rounded up and trained for war. Today, the place houses 180 elephants and provides visitors an opportunity to delve into the Thai culture.

Highlights: The program supports mahout culture and is designed to ensure that anybody can experience the beauty of elephants. The elephant stay program has been designed to create a sustainable future for elephants. The program is non-profit in nature and promotes elephant lives’ through tourism. It is here that people can get to learn mahout life and enjoy developing a bond with elephants. The place is recommended for young children and receive high standards of care. Accommodation is available for a single or multiple day stay at the place.

Location: Royal Elephant Kraal and Village, 74/1 Moo 3, Tumbol Suanpi.

Timing: Open all day.

Price: 12000-151000 Baht for 2 nights to 27 nights stay.
08Bang Pa-In Palace
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Explore how kings and queens lived in Thailand by visiting Bang Pa-in Palace. The Palace is located just 60 kilometers north of Bangkok. Situated on the bank of Chao praya River, the temple is a refined reflection of an era that’s bygone. The palace is extensively built, with quite colorful architecture. It was formerly used by the Thai Kings.

Highlights : The original complex was built in 1632 by King Prasat Thong. The palace’s use was discontinued over the years and therefore, it became overgrown in the 18thand 19thcentry. That’s when King Chulalongkorn decided to restore it. Now opened to visitors, the palace is sometimes used by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family for special occasions.

This stunning palace features vast greenery, beautiful gardens and exquisite landscaping. The Royal Palace and Throne room have been inspired by Chinese styles, whereas the brightly painted lookout tower is another attraction at the palace.

Location: An Len, Bang Pa-in District, Phra
09Wat Suwan Dararam
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Built during the Late Ayutthaya period, Wat Suwan Dararam is another place of worship It was built by father of King Rama I when he ascended to the throne. The temple is considered a Golden Star in the island. But over a period of time, this temple underwent massive destruction. In fact, after the Burmese invasion of 1767, the temple was particularly in ruins.

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Highlights: The temple has gone under complete restoration and today, its main highlight is the Buddha image, which is a large stone copy of the Emerald Buddha that is found in Bangkok. The place has stunning roof columns, which have been extensively carved. It also features bot dips in the center, which was once a building tradition of that time. The temple is in service every day and is a serene place of worship.

Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District
10Wat Na Phra Men
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A stunning place of worship, Wat Na Phra Men is an active monastery in Northern area of Ayutthaya. The temple was originally built in the 13thcentury and it has been renovated over the years, most extensively in the 1990 to ensure that it is still functional.

The temple is just opposite Grand Palace on the island. Originally constructed during the reign of King Ramathibodi II, the place is known for its stunning architecture.

Highlights: The still functional place has ordination halls for conducting different ceremonies. It is extensively designed to reflect Hindu and Buddhist architectural styles. It is here that one can find crowned Buddha, the structure of which is 6 meters high.

It is covered in cast of metal and gold life as well. The royal dress is completed with a crown. It is one of the most popular Buddha images that were used in the Late Ayutthaya Period.

Location:Thailand
11Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
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Located a few kilometers from the Ayutthaya island is the Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Temple, which will transport you to a bygone era. The place is a Buddhist temple, built extensively by King U-Thong. The king had constructed this temple to accommodate monks. The monastery here was named as Wat Pakaew.

Highlights: The temple is popular for its later constructions as well, including Chedi or Pagoda that was built by the King Naresuan, the great. The large Chedi in the monastery was built for the purpose of unique architecture and later on, it was come to be known as Wat Yai Chiamongkhon.

The Buddha image restored here is considered to belong to the 2508 BE, according to the publication of Wat. Here, there’s a Buddhist temple and the top has been designed extensively. The satellite stupas have structural formation and the place also has a hall meant for important religious ceremonies.

Location: 3477 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District
12Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
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The largest museum in the city, Chao Sam Phraya National Museum is the home to several Thai treasures that were unearthed during the excavation of the ruins in the city. It is in this museum that you will find several golden treasures, including but not limited to the crypts of Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Mahathat Temples.

Highlights : One of the most beautiful things about the place is its comprehensive collection of materials found in the ruins of major temples in the region. It is the second largest museum in Thailand which was opened in 1970. The place is known for Thai Pavilion relics of Lord Buddha. Other major objects here are as old as 500 years old. Here, one can find antique bronze images of the Buddha, with impressive carved panels, local artifacts and several other religious objects.

Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District

Timing: 9 am to 4 pm.

Price: 150 Baht/free
13Wat Ratchaburana
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Image Credit : Natascha M
Considered the temple of royal restoration, Wat Ratchaburana in Ayutthaya is well known for its restored ruin which once had a beautiful monastery. It is located on the city island and is a reflective of a bygone era. The temple was originally founded in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II of the Ayutthya Kingdom.

The temple is supposed to be built on the cremation site of the king’s two elder brothers. The temple has main prang, which is one of the finest in the city. Highlights:The temple is known for its prang, which is basically a spire, tall like a tower. It is richly carved and derives architectural elements from Hindu and Buddhist architecture.

Image Credits : Rex Gray

The prang has now gone intense restoration. But still, one can see the original stucco work and the mythical creatures on the prang. It also has four Srik Lankan Stupas with a crypt that’s accessible by steep stairs.

Location:Ayutthaya
14Chedi Phra Sri Suriyothai
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A stunning, beautiful ruin, Chedi Phra Sri Suriyothai or just Si Suriyothai is a statue that depicts the royal Queen Consort during the 16thcentury. The relic belongs to the 16thcentury Ayutthaya period of Siam. The statue was designed to pay tribute to the Queen who had given up her life in defense of her husband during the Burmese-Siamese War of 1548.

Highlights: The name of the statue and the consequent temple indicates ‘surya’ or the ‘rising sun.’ Suriyothai was married to Prince Tien and she had bravely put herself between the king and the viceroy of Prome for her husband. The legacy of this place is a highlight in itself, which is a reflection of how women had been brave throughout their lives. A memorial chedi or stupa is dedicated to her at this place. The chedi is detailed with bright golden color, reflecting the sun.

Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District