3 Days Starter Package in Bangkok

Visit the ancient capital Ayutthaya

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is a beautiful temple off the historical island. Highlights are its 60 meter tall bell shaped chedi and a Reclining Buddha.

Wat Mahathat was one of Ayutthaya's most important temples. Nowadays Ayutthaya is well-known because of the famous Buddha head entwined in the roots of an old Banyan tree.

Wat Ratchaburana is one of the most impressive temples in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and is connected to a dramatic moment in the kingdom’s history. The temple was built in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II. According to historical chronicles, two of his elder brothers fought a fierce battle on elephant-back for the throne after their father’s death. Both princes were killed during the duel at the exact spot where the temple now stands. When Borommarachathirat II became king, he ordered Wat Ratchaburana to be constructed there to commemorate his brothers. The temple’s highlight is the impressive central prang, a tall Khmer-style tower symbolizing Mount Meru, the sacred center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. The prang rises high above the surrounding ruins and remains one of the most recognizable structures in Ayutthaya.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most important temple of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and served as the royal temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Located within the grounds of the former Royal Palace, it was used for important royal ceremonies and religious rituals, and unlike many other temples it had no resident monks. The temple is best known for the three impressive bell-shaped stupas standing in the center of the complex. These distinctive chedis contain the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings and have become one of the most iconic images of the historic city. During the height of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was considered the spiritual heart of the royal court. The temple once housed a magnificent standing Buddha image covered with gold, but it was destroyed when the city was invaded and largely ruined during the Burmese–Siamese War. Today, the impressive chedis and surrounding ruins remain a powerful reminder of the former glory of the Siamese capital.

Wat Lokayasutharam is one of the most remarkable temple sites in Ayutthaya, best known for its enormous Reclining Buddha statue. The temple dates back to the early Ayutthaya period, although much of the original complex was destroyed during the Burmese–Siamese War. The highlight is the massive reclining Buddha, about 42 meters long and 8 meters high. The statue represents the Buddha entering Nirvana and rests peacefully in the open air, draped in a bright saffron robe. Today only a few brick ruins of the original temple remain, which makes the giant Buddha lying quietly among the ruins even more impressive and atmospheric. Visitors often stop here to admire the statue and offer flowers or incense.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the most impressive and photogenic temples in the ancient capital. The temple was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to commemorate his mother and to celebrate the power and prosperity of the Kingdom. The temple complex was designed following the concept of the great Khmer mountain temples of Angkor in present-day Cambodia. Located beautifully along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Chaiwatthanaram once formed an important religious center and royal temple. Although the complex was heavily damaged after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the majestic ruins that remain today still give a powerful impression of the grandeur of the former Siamese capital. After our exploration of Ayutthaya we can drop you off at your hotel in Ayutthaya (hotel not included in this package) or at the train station in Ayutthaya. Alternatively, we can drive back to Bangkok and drop you off at your hotel (hotel not included in this package), train station or airport.