Ayutthaya is one of most popular historical cites in Thailand. There are some great ancient and exotic architectures and sites in Ayutthaya and the city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. It was once described as one of the world's greatest ancient cities in its heyday, however, most of the ruins now are following its fall in 1767 when the kingdom was downfallen by Burmese army. Since Ayutthaya is only an hour drive from the center of the capital city of Bangkok, 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Bangkok , it is easily accessible by a car, bus, or ferry for any kinds of tourists.

In 1350, Ayutthaya was founded by Prince U Thong, and soon became the prosperous capital city of Siam. The old city is about 4 kilometers (2.5miles) wide and surrounded by the Chao Praya River, Lopburi and Pasak Rivers. A moat wall once encircled the entire city, today we can see only a few of them. The Ayutthaya had been controlling much of the region for centuries, however in 1767 it fell to a Burmese invasion and was destroyed and looted the place and valuables. With the Burmese invasion, most of the original Buddhist architecture remains, but some are stolen or destroyed, nevertheless does not detract its beauty. Many of parkland, the Mother river of Chao Phraya, unhurried atmosphere all set up this famous historical city of Ayutthaya. The city is so close to Bangkok, and interesting Buddhist architecture and ruins, elephant riding activities, it is a great plan to come to Ayutthaya by a car or train, get around the sites by famous tuk tuk or taxi and go back to Bangkok by a ferry which are provided by some cruising companies.

It is better to go around by cycling on a bicycle, although in the Ayutthaya city can be done on foot. The city can get very hot in the daytime, so it is a must to get your suncream, sungrasses and cap especially children. If you would like to see more, explore the city by a motorbike is recommended. Out of the bounds of the moats is less visited by tourists but also a great to see the real local life in Thailand.

The main popular sites can be seen in a few hours. There are so many daytrip tours from Bankok available but it is great to spend a night here in Ayutthaya, too. Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra sri Sanpet, Wat Ratburana, Wat Phra ram and Wat Chai Wattanaram are magnificantly light up in the evenings. There are plenty of guesthouses, hotels and restaurants in Ayutthaya.

In the remains in Ayutthaya, you will see Khmer and early Sukhothai styles at various places in prangs (a type of South-East Asian temple spires), stupas (Buddhist monuments) and buildings. Ruins and temples are concentrated mostly in the central and the north parts of the city. Here are some of the popular sites and temples for your reference. We devided two areas, the inner city and across the river.

The Inner city

Wat Sri Sanphet (or Wat Phra sri Sanphet) is the symble of the Ayutthaya with the famous three bell-shaped chedis where the ashes of the king Borommatrailokanat and his sons were placed at. Wat Sri Sanphet was the center of the country once in the old age.

Wat Ratchaburana is located near the current city center. Built in 1424 to place the ashes of the king's two brothers. They lost lives for fighting over the throne.

Wat Mahatat has been attracted loads of tourists with the Buddha's head around which a Tilia tree's (lime, linden or basswood) roots have grown. Along with it, there are numbers of Buddha's body without their head since the Bermese invaders cut them off for stealing valuables inside.

Wat Mongkon Bophit which is located just south of Wat Sri Sanphet, the great Buddha image stands in the center of the ruins, under an open sky. After the rebuilding, the great bronze statue was entirely covered with gold leaf to give it its current splendor.

Across the river

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, or the Summer Palace, is a palace complex of formerly used by the Thai kings. The palace is located on the Chao Phraya River bank in Bang Pa-In district.

Wat Chai Watthanaram is built in 1630 with Khmer style, and now is one of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand where you can be accessible by a boad or road. It is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River and south west of the old city of Ayutthay.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is built in 1357 by King Ramathibodi as a place for meditation for monks. It is located at the southeast edge of the town. Here you can see the huge bell-shaped chedi which was built by the greatest kings, Nareusan the Great.

Wat Phu Khao Thong is literally means The Golden Mount. It is located northwest of the town and is the large beautiful white chedi. In front of the Golden Mount, you will see the statue of King Nareusan.

Wat Suanluang Sopsawan is located at the banks of the Chao Phraya river. Here you will see a memorial chedi to Queen Sriyothai, or Phra Chedi Srisuriyothai, which was built by King Maha Chakkraphat. The queen has been famous for having given up her life in the defense of her husband, the King, in a battle of the Burmese-Siamese War in 1548. There is also a memorial park to her with a large statue of the queen riding a war elephant.