Sights in Ayuthaya
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Wat Phanan Choeng
One of the major Ayuthaya highlights, the busy and modern-looking Wat Phanan Choeng is a popular pilgrimage destination for weekenders from Bangkok. Although the original temple allegedly pre-dates the Ayuthaya era, many Thai-Chinese regard this temple with special reverence because of its later benefactor Sam Po Kong (Zheng He), a Chinese explorer who visited Ayuthaya in 1407.
As an emissary of the Chinese imperial court, Sam Po established diplomatic and trading relations all along his sea voyage, which extended as far west as Africa. For many local worshippers, the famous Buddha image (Luang Por Phanan Choeng or Phra Phanan Choeng) is often directly associated with the…
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Wat Na Phra Meru
This Wat Na Phra Meru escaped destruction during the Burmese attack in 1767 because it was used as the invading army's headquarters. It was also the site where the Burmese king was fatally injured after firing a defective cannon. His death ended the sacking of Ayuthaya.
Restoration of the temple, which was originally built in 1546, took place during the reign of King Rama III of the Bangkok era. The primary draw here is the main bòt (central sanctuary) which contains an amazing carved wooden ceiling depicting the Buddhist heavens, with Mt Sumeru in the centre. There is also a splendid Ayuthaya-era Buddha image sitting 6m high. The unique characteristics of the Ayuthaya a…
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Elephant Kraal
In olden times, Thais re-supplied their stocks of elephants with an annual roundup, in which wild herds were chased into captivity for use as beasts of burden or as war machines. The restored Elephant Kraal, or stockade, is an example of the enclosed structures once used as the final destination of the roundups. A huge fence of teak logs planted at 45-degree angles keep the elephants in; the king had a special raised pavilion from which to observe the thrilling event.
The last elephant roundup staged here occurred in 1903. The kraal is about 4km from the centre of town so you can either ride a bicycle here or hire a túk-túk (motorised three-wheeled pedicab).
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Wat Maheyong
East of the island and just beyond the train station is another collection of ruins in a more pastoral setting than central Ayuthaya. Tourist groups are rare out here and most of the grounds are kept trimmed by local farmers' livestock. Wat Maheyong is an operational temple with a popular weekend meditation retreat held in a leafy courtyard beside the temple ruins. The historic portion of the temple was built in 1438.
The outstanding chedi is bell shaped and was once surrounded by a ring of carved elephants statues, a unique feature in Ayuthaya. A brick walkway connects the ruins to nearby Khlong Maheyong; the middle way was reserved for the king.
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Wat Na Phra Mehn
North of the old royal palace (wang lŏo·ang) grounds is a bridge to Wat Na Phra Mehn. This temple is notable because it escaped destruction when the Burmese overran and sacked the city in 1767. The main bòht was built in 1546 and features fortress-like walls and pillars. The bòht interior contains an impressive carved wooden ceiling and a splendid 6m-high sitting Buddha in royal attire. Inside a smaller wí·hăhn behind the bòht is a green-stone, European-pose (sitting in a chair) Buddha from Ceylon, said to be 1300 years old. The walls of the wí·hăhn show traces of 18th- or 19th-century murals.
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Portuguese Settlement
Due south of the island is the historical district of the kingdom's former diplomatic entourages, many of whom arrived during the reign of King Narai. Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and other foreign representatives came to the Ayuthaya court to encourage trade, serve as advisors or assist in defending the city. One of the eeriest remnants of the foreigners' footprint is the cemetery at the Portuguese Settlement.
An open pit displays the petrified skeletons of Portuguese residents, many of whom died of small pox. The traditional Thai spirit house on the grounds contains figures of St Joseph and St Paul.
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Phu Khao Thong
Northwest of town, this landscape-dominating chedi of Phu Khao Thong, translated as Golden Mount, was originally built during a 15-year occupation of Ayuthaya by the Burmese (prior to the 1767 invasion and collapse). The statue in front of the chedi depicts King Naresuan, the great Ayuthaya liberator, surrounded by almost comical statues of fighting cocks.
According to common lore, Naresuan had been taken to Burma as a hostage where he proved his mettle in a cockfight match with one of the Burmese princes. He later returned to Ayuthaya and kicked out the occupying forces.
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Wat Phra Mahathat
Built in 1374 during the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I, the most famous part of Wat Phra Mahathat is a Buddha head embedded among a tree’s maze of roots. Such a blending of nature and religious imagery is auspicious, but no one knows quite how the head ended up there. One theory is that the image was abandoned after the Burmese sacked Ayuthaya, and trees subsequently grew around it. Another idea is that thieves tried to steal the head, but found it was too heavy and so left it at the site. The remaining prang (Khmer-style tower) is the other main feature.
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Ayuthaya Historical Study Centre
Getting a handle on the religious and historical importance of the temples at Ayuthaya is difficult without some preliminary research. Ayuthaya Historical Study Centre has informative, professional displays that paint a clear picture of the ancient city. Other museums in town include Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, which features a basic roundup of Thai Buddhist sculpture with an emphasis on Ayuthaya pieces, and Chantharakasem National Museum, a museum piece in itself, in the northeast corner of town.
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Chantharakasem National Museum
Getting a handle on the religious and historical importance of the temples is difficult without some preliminary research. Ayuthaya Historical Study Centre has informative, professional displays that paint a clear picture of the ancient city. Other museums in Ayuthaya include Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, which features a basic roundup of Thai Buddhist sculpture with an emphasis on Ayuthaya pieces, and Chantharakasem National Museum, a museum piece in itself, in the northeast corner of town.
reviewed
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Wat Kudi Dao
East of the island and just beyond the train station is another collection of ruins in a more pastoral setting than central Ayuthaya. Tourist groups are rare out here and most of the grounds are kept trimmed by local farmers' livestock. Wat Kudi Dao is charmingly ruined with grasses sprouting between the roofless structures. Looking closer at the windows and gates there is an impressive amount of surviving details, often described as French architectural influences.
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Wat Chai Wattanaram
Everyone's favourite sunset shot, Wat Chai Wattanaram is one of Ayuthaya's most impressive homages to the Angkor/Khmer style. A central prang is flanked by minor prang arranged in each cardinal direction, in a prime riverside setting. The temple is said to have been built in the 17th century by King Prasat Thong in honour of his mother and was extensively restored in the 1980s. These ruins can be reached by boat or by bicycle via a nearby bridge.
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Japanese Village
5km south of the Portuguese Settlement is the Japanese Village. The Japanese settlement was one of the largest foreign contingents, and many settlers were Christians fleeing persecution in their homelands for more tolerant Ayuthaya. A video presentation sets the scene and a giant electronic image of an oil painting by Dutch artists shows just how glorious the city looked in its heyday. Outside the small exhibition hall is a Japanese-style garden.
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Wat Ratburana
Across Th Naresuan from Wat Phra Mahathat, the Wat Ratburana retains one of the best preserved prang on the island. It was built in the 15th century by King Borom Rachathirat II on the cremation site for his two brothers who had died battling each other in hopes of assuming the throne. Monument building in Ayuthaya was often done as an act of merit for a deceased royal elder rather than for glorification of the present ruler.
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Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Built by King U Thong in 1357, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is a quiet old place that was once a famous meditation wat. According to some legends, the monks at this temple were consulted by conspirators for an auspicious time to stage a royal coup. Most impressive though is the large 7m-long reclining Buddha, obviously enjoying the sunshine. The temple is southeast of the town proper and is best reached by motorised transport.
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Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Getting a handle on the religious and historical importance of the temples is difficult without some preliminary research. Museums in Ayuthaya include Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, which features a basic roundup of Thai Buddhist sculpture with an emphasis on Ayuthaya pieces, and Chantharakasem National Museum, a museum piece in itself, in the northeast corner of town.
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Wat Chai Wattanaram
Just 40 years ago this temple was immersed in thick jungle. Today it is one of Ayuthaya’s most-photographed sites, thanks to its impressive Khmer-style central prang, which stands 35m high. Built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honour his mother, the temple is a great place to watch sunsets. The site can be reached on bicycle via a nearby bridge.
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Wat Phra Si Sanphet
The three dominant chedi (stupas) at Wat Phra Si Sanphet make it a must-see location on any temple tour. Built in the late 14th century, this was the largest temple in Ayuthaya and was used by several kings. It once contained a 16m-high standing Buddha (Phra Si Sanphet) covered with 250kg of gold, which was melted down by the Burmese conquerors.
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Wat Ayuthaya
East of the island and just beyond the train station is a collection of ruins in a pastoral setting. Tourist groups are rare out here and most of the grounds are kept trimmed by local farmers' livestock. Continue past the graveyard of spirit houses to Wat Ayuthaya, which has a bell-shaped chedi on a square pedestal, an early Ayuthaya characteristic.
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Wat Thammikarat
To the west of Wat Ratburana, Wat Thammikarat sees fewer visitors and is a pleasant place to sit among the ruins. The most prominent feature is a central chedi surrounded by singha (guardian lion) sculptures. It is believed by the local people that the temple pre-dated the Ayuthaya period, a claim unsupported by architectural evidence.
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Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
This museum displays pieces of Ayuthaya’s surviving treasures. Most were stolen or melted down long ago. Exhibitions include gold treasures from crypts at Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana, and an enormous bronze Buddha head from the U Thong period. Several books on Thai art and architecture are for sale at the entrance.
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Wat Phra Ram
Displaying a sturdy prang, Wat Phra Ram has a complicated lineage, indicative of much of Ayuthaya's chronicled structures. Claims of construction are often attributed to numerous kings throughout a 300-year time period. Some accounts state that this was the cremation site of King U Thong (the founder of the Ayuthaya kingdom).
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Wihaan Mongkhon Bophit
Next door to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the sanctuary hall of Wihaan Mongkhon Bophit was reconstructed at different points between 1930 and 1957, and provides an interesting counterpoint between modern and ancient temple architecture. Step inside to view one of Thailand's largest Buddha images, a 15th-century bronze casting.
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Chantharakasem National Museum
The grounds of this national museum are actually more interesting than its collection of artefacts, sculptures and ancient weapons. The museum, near the banks of Mae Nam Pasak, is within the grounds of Wang Chan Kasem (Chan Kasem Palace), which was built for King Naresuan by his father in 1577.
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Wat Ratburana
Immediately north of Wat Phra Mahathat, this temple has one of the best preserved prang in the city. It was built in the 15th century by King Borom Rachathirat II on the cremation site for his two brothers who both died while fighting each other for the throne.
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