Ayutthaya by Eulises Quintero
So you’re in Bangkok and you’re looking for an adventure outside the city. How about a one day trip to Ayutthaya, How to go there, how expensive it is, how to get around in Ayutthaya?
I’ll answer all of your questions right now, just keep on reading. First, let’s start by talking a little bit about Ayutthaya.
What’s Ayutthaya?
It’s an ancient city, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350. It became a powerful city until 1767.
Ayutthaya used to be a trading port that welcomed merchants from the world, most of them from Europe. It’s said that the city was amazing to the eyes of foreigners, this because of the many temples and palaces all around the city.
Just like many other cities and towns in the past and present, Ayutthaya fell to the horrors of war. The city was invaded by the Burmese – people from Myanmar- and it was burnt and destroyed.
A lot of Thai people died and the survivors fled the city. There are still many ruins in Ayutthaya, a clear reminder of the old city and a current tourist attraction.
There are about 50 different ruins sites, some of them more popular than others. These are the 3 I believe you can’t miss.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
If I had to choose one and only one temple to visit in a one day trip to Ayutthaya this would be the one. The name means, Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory.
In the year 1937 two Ayutthaya princess died of Cholera, the king ordered the cremation of the bodies. He also ordered the creation of a holy stupa and a preaching hall on the cremation site, that’s how this temple came into existence.
Entry fee: 20 Baht
This temple is more than just a holy stupa and a preaching hall. Around it, you’ll find different beautiful Buddha statues. If you enjoy taking photos for sure you’ll enjoy your time here.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
This is another popular one in Ayutthaya. It was built in 1630 by king Prasat Thong. The name means Temple of Long Reign and Glorious Era.
At the center of the temple there’s a 35 meter high Prang (Tall tower) and there are 120 sitting Buddha statues around it.
Most of the Buddha statues have succumbed to the passing of time and war.
Eulises Quintero Ayutthaya Photos
After the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese army, the temple was abandoned, many bricks were stolen and sold and Buddha statues were beheaded.
Buddha statues most likely were painted in Black and Gold when the temple was in its brightest era.
It was until 1987 that the Thai government started restoring the site and they opened it to the public in 1992.
Entry fee: 50 baht
Wat Mahathat
Maybe this is the reason why many do a one day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. Here’s where you find the Buddha head.
Meaning of the name is, the monastery of the Great Relic.Historians don’t really know when the temple was founded. They think its origin dates back to 1377 approximately.
Buddha Head, a photo by Eulises Quintero
This temple was used for different religious events and royal celebrations.
The main tourist attraction in this temple is a Buddha head entwined within the roots of a tree.
No one really knows exactly how it got there, but what they do know is that it wasn’t on purpose, as in Buddhist traditions is not a thing to put Buddha head on the ground.
Some theorize that maybe a thief moved the head from the main temple and hid it by the tree and then he simply did not come back for it. After so many years the roots grew around the head.
Entry Fee: 50 Baht
