It felt like we were in some huge open air museum. Old brick buildings rise tall into the wide blue sky; and large stone Buddhas seem to loom protectively over the expanse of grassy fields. Ayutthaya Thailand is merely about 80 km north of Bangkok; the latter which is, after all, a city of loud noise and blinking neon lights. Ayutthaya Thailand is nothing of the sort. It felt like time was stopped. when we saw Ayutthaya  First time.

Ayutthaya was the richest city in the world a long time ago. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam for than 400 years. Now Ayutthaya is a special place that is protected by UNESCO. You can see temples and ancient stupas everywhere. There are stories that are not well known. Ayutthaya is very different from Bangkok if way of Building when you visit Ayutthaya you will learn alot about Thailand culture

If you really love history or you like taking pictures for Instagram or you just want to get out of the city for a day this Ayutthaya travel guide is for you. It will tell you everything you need to know to have a time in Ayutthaya. You will feel like you have been to Ayutthaya times before even if it is your first visit to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is a special place and this guide will help you make the most of your trip, to Ayutthaya.

The Epic History of Ayutthaya

One of the superpowers of the ancient world Ayutthaya was established way back in 1350 by King U Thong. Thanks to the geographical location of being in an island bordered by three rivers-Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi-the state rapidly become a major centre for international trade.

By the century Ayutthaya was a really cool place where people from all over the world came to visit. People from Europe, China, Japan and Persia would sail down the rivers. They were really amazed by the shin of City’s, shiny places and hundred of temples covered with gold. those visitors would write to their home and families about how beautiful Ayutthaya is intron of this city even Europe city will feel less shiny

Then something really bad happened in 1767. An army from a country came and attacked Ayutthaya destroying everything and burning the city to the ground. The people who lived there had to run the gold was melted down and the big wooden buildings were turned into ashes.

Today what is left of Ayutthaya is really amazing. The old red-brick towers, the stone spires and the statues without heads give the whole historical park a very special and mysterious feeling that you cannot find anywhere else, in Southeast Asia. Ayutthaya is still a cool place to visit and it is full of Ayutthaya history and Ayutthaya culture.

Must-Visit Temples in Ayutthaya

There are alot of temples in Ayutthaya which will amazed you but some of the most beautiful  one in my opinion are these.

• Wat Phra Si Sanphet (The Three Royal Chedis)
  the three bell-shaped tower wat Phra si sanphet is enough to define the skyline of Ayutthaya. This site was the royal temple inside the old palace area. It was only used for events and to keep the ashes of Siamese kings.Walking on the green lawns in the shade of these giant towers makes you see just how huge and rich this kingdom really was. The way the grey stone looks against the red brick walls around it is perfect, for taking travel photos.
• Wat Mahathat (The Buddha Head in Tree Roots)
  This is the famous spot in the entire province and you will see lots of photos of it. Wat Mahathat once use to be an important royal monastery.but now people come here to see something amazing. A sandstone Buddha statue head is stuck in the roots of a banyan tree.The city got. Many statues fell down. Over time nature took over. The trees roots lifted the heavy stone head gently.
  If you are taking a photo with the Buddha head here is a tip: in Thai culture it is very important to show respect. You should. Crouch down so your head is lower, than the Buddhas head. There are signs that remind visitors of this rule.
• Wat Ratchaburana (The Secret Crypt)
  Located across from Wat Mahathat this temple has a really well-preserved tower that you can climb.The steep brick steps to the top can be a bit of a challenge. The view of the whole park is amazing. When you reach the top you can go down some stairs, inside the tower to see an old underground room. This room used to hide treasures, gold and old paintings that you can still of see today.
• Wat Chaiwatthanaram (The Riverside Marvel)
  This is probably the most spectacular temple structure arrangement in Ayutthaya. Founded in 1374, there is an impressive main prang or stupa and a series of smaller ones arranged in such a way to represent the mythical Buddhist Mount Meru. The late afternoon is recommended to visit this temple because of the most magnificent sunset light at this time. You won’t forget how the soft sunset lights the red bricks into beautiful color and light reflects upon the river.

How to Get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Ayutthaya is incredibly accessible from Bangkok, making it a stress-free journey no matter your budget or travel style:

• The Local Train (Best for Budget & Adventure):
  For a local experience take a morning train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok or you can also start from Don Mueang Station.The tickets for third-class seats are super cheap and the windows stay open so you get a cool breeze.Local food sellers walk up and, down the aisles selling snacks.It takes around one and a half hours to get.
• Guided Minivan Tours (Best for Convenience):
  If you like having a day that is planned out so I do not have to worry about how I will get from one place to another.Booking a small-group day tour from Bangkok is a thing to do.Most of the time these tours include a bus with air conditioning a guide who speaks English the cost to get into the temples and food for lunch.I think this is an option because it includes a lot of things that I would have to pay for separately if I was traveling on my own like the small-group day tour from Bangkok.This way I can just enjoy my small-group day tour, from Bangkok without having to think about all the details.
• Private Taxi / Grab:
  You can hire a driver using ride-sharing apps. That is a really good way to have a day trip that is just for you. This way you get to decide what time you want to go. You can travel from one temple to another in a car that is cool and comfortable. Ride-sharing apps make it easy to find a driver, for your day trip.
  
  

Smart Ways to Get Around the Ruins

Once you cross the river or arrive at the Ayutthaya train station, you need a plan to move between the ruins. Here are your best options

• Bicycle Rentals: For the low sum of 50 or 100 THB for the day you can hire a bicycle just opposite the train station or by the main temple gates. The ground in Ayutthaya is totally flat so you can’t go wrong with the cycling and it is incredibly enjoyable cycling from ruin to ruin beneath the glorious trees.
• Motorbike Rentals: If you can ride a scooter, renting a scooter allows you complete freedom to discover the outside temples which are farther out from the main park throng.
• Tuk-Tuk Hire: There are the special, bright pink colored tuk-tuks found in Ayutthaya unlike those in Bangkok. Drivers are abundant and can be hailed for an hourly fee of (around) 200-300 THB per hour taking you effortlessly from temple to temple, all the while feeling the fresh air whizz past your face.

Practical Survival Guide for Your Visit

Make it an amazing and enjoyable day as you tour the ruins by remembering a few of the following traveler’s tips. First, understand the temples’ dress code by dressing appropriately – covering your shoulders and knees in thin, breathable materials such as linen or cotton slacks, leaving the tank tops and short shorts at your hotel. Second, prepare to battle the extreme tropical heat and absence of shade by packing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a strong high SPF sunscreen, an umbrella, and a large bottle of water so you never dehydrate. Your shoes can also impact the comfort and ease of your exploration, so wear comfortable, well-worn walking shoes or robust sport sandals so you can more easily maneuver the gravel paths and steep, brick inclines – but be sure they slip off easily, because you will need to remove them when entering active chapels or any elevated platforms. Lastly, don’t overdo it and wear yourself out with the sheer number of temples, choose only 4 or 5 major temples to visit in detail, and take a refreshing mid-day lunch break in an informal riverside eatery to relax and cool down in the easy flow of river life.

Don’t Leave Without Trying the Food!

Ayutthaya is not just a Old and historical place. it also has to offer a delicious food which you can’t miss
Giant River Prawns: They are plump, fresh and grilled over a charcoal stove in Ayutthaya. It is typically slit vertically, to show the creamy and thick, orange head roe and white meat of the prawns served with a spicy Thai seafood dipping sauce.

Roti Sai Mai: Known as the signature “candy floss” of Ayutthaya, it is colored hand pulled candy floss wrapped in warm pandan flavoured crêpe. Sweet, soft and absolutely addictive!

Final Thoughts

Ayutthaya is not just a crumbling mass of old brick; it is the spirit of Thailand’s amazing history. Simply being amidst these ruins gives you a feeling of stillness and awe that is truly memorable.

To see the long, gold shadows of the sunset stretching across the ruined spires is just wonderful. So grab your camera, wear decent clothing, and go and step back into history to discover one of Asia’s best historical wonders.

If you have liked this  Ancient capital of the Thailand. then you would also the The Lahore Fort