This article is about the ancient capital city of Bangkok, which is famous for its temple complexes, museums and night market.
The ancient capital of Bangkok is famous for its temple complexes, museums, and night market. Tourists enjoy visiting Ayutthaya to immerse themselves in the history of the state.
What you need to know about Ayutthaya
The temples of the ancient capital are mostly ruins. Some are relatively well preserved, while others are in a deplorable state.
The city was once invaded and plundered by Burmese invaders. It remained under their rule for a long time.
Today, only the grounds of a few ancient working temples are still inhabited by monks.
UNESCO declared Ayutthaya a cultural heritage of humanity in 1991.
Religious buildings are concentrated in the western part of the ancient capital, near the railroad and the river.
Where to start: general information
Before traveling to the city, we recommend printing out a map of interesting places and familiarizing yourself with it to develop a route. Of course, you can pick up a guidebook at your hotel or motorcycle rental shop. But it's more likely to be a black-and-white Google map with incomprehensible inscriptions.
Bus excursions arrive in town from Bangkok and Pattaya between 8:00 and 9:00 with an English-speaking guide. If you speak the language, you can simply join a group of tourists. That way, you get a free tour that others have paid for.
TNV 50 is the fee for entry to significant places. Visits to small structures and functioning temples are free.
You can try to find alternate entrances. Sometimes they are open or the guard has left. However, the price of 50 THB is not so high for visiting ancient sights, especially since the money goes toward the restoration of the temples.
When planning your trip, try to design your itinerary to cover as many temple complexes as possible along the way. Here's an Ayutthaya sightseeing plan you can follow.
Ayutthaya Tourist Routes
It's best to start your journey by stopping at Naresuan Rd. After a short walk, you will reach a bicycle and motorcycle rental shop. Next to it is a two-way fork in the road. This is the start of the journey.
The most popular structures of the ancient city
Wat Mahathat (on the left side of the road)
From the rental shop to the entrance of the site, you have to walk 150-200 meters. You can leave your bike or bicycle at the parking lot and explore the attraction on foot. Here, you'll find many statues, old Khmer style temples, and even a stone Buddha head at the base of a tree trunk.
Wat Ratburana (on the right side of the road)
The next stop is about 250-300 meters ahead. Its area is quite large, and there are many well-preserved buildings to explore.
Wat Suwannawas
Walk 200 meters northward along Chikun Rd, and you will come across stone pagodas and a dilapidated statue of the sacred Buddha. Entrance is free.
Wat Thammikarat
Continuing along the same street, after 200 meters, turn onto U-Thong Rd and drive another 600 meters. On the left side of the road, you'll find a majestic temple that is definitely worth exploring. Entrance is also free.
Other Ayutthaya complexes
From the temple, take a left turn and follow a canal in an easterly direction, heading beyond the river. The following complexes can be explored for free on this stretch of the road:
Wat Lokayasutharam.
Wat Worachettharam.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Wat Worapho.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
After visiting the last temple, walk back towards the river, cross it, and turn right along U-Thong Rd. The park is located on the left side.
There is no entrance fee to the park, and there are no fences.
The park's territory is quite extensive, featuring the ruins of more than a dozen temples. It's an ideal place for relaxation and meditation.
Wat Phananchoeng Temple
Continue eastward to Phet Fortress. After exploring it, head to the boats located behind the landmark; they will take you to the temple.
The cost of crossing the river to the shrine is 5 THB.
If you're on a bicycle, an additional 5 THB fee applies.
If you arrive by ferry, the entrance fee is 20 THB.
If you've rented a moped, you can take a detour across the river on the highway, and there is no entrance fee on the other side of the temple where there is no ticket booth.
Yai Chaimonghon Monastery
This is the final stop on the tourist route, located 1.5 kilometers from Wat Phananchoeng temple. The monastery, despite its age, is still active. After the tour, you can return to the transportation rental center.
Ayutthaya's museum complexes
If you have some free time and wish to explore museums, Ayutthaya offers a couple of options:
Chao Sam Phraya
This is the largest national museum in the area, situated in the city center by the lake. Here, you can delve into the lives of ancient people, their crafts, and works of art.
Opening hours: From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The museum is open to visitors from Wednesday through Sunday.
Admission fee: 150 THB.
Chantharakasem National Museum
This museum provides insights into the history of the Ayutthaya kingdom, its values, and culture. There is also a dedicated exhibition to King Rama IV.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The museum welcomes visitors from Wednesday through Sunday.
Admission fee: 100 THB per person.
What to do in Old Town
It's best not to explore Ayutthaya's sights on foot. For this purpose, it is worth renting transportation.
Bicycle
This is suitable for tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the history of the Old Town and the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in general. You won't be able to see Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phanan Choeng, and Yai Chaimonghon temples on a two-wheeler as they are far away. And driving in the heat is a pleasure.
The price of renting a bicycle per day will cost from 40 THB.
Two-wheelers are available at hotels, at the train station, or in the new town.
Motorbike
If you want to see more temples and other complexes in a day, rent yourself a motorcycle.
The cost of renting a motorcycle starts from 150 THB.
Rental centers are located in the new town and at the railway station.
Tuk-tuk
This transportation is for those who are used to getting around the city in comfort. Tuk-tuk drivers know all the sights and will take you wherever you need to go for a negotiated fee.
The tuk-tuk fee is hourly. It is 250-300 THB. For a day, you will have to pay 2000 THB.
What else to see in Ayutthaya
Night Markets. Their highlight is that they are located in a new place every time. This is probably the most interesting night spot in Ayutthaya.
Ride a boat around the ancient capital. A personalized boat will cost 400 THB.
Scientists predict that in a few decades, Ayutthaya's memorable landmarks will disappear underwater due to changing climatic conditions. So hurry up to see the ancient capital of Thailand with your own eyes.
