Ayutthaya is probably one of the most photographed areas of Thailand and one of the crown jewels. Located 85 km from Bangkok, you can visit its temples from the capital. The city was founded in 1350 and belonged to the Ayutthaya dynasty.
There are many monuments and historical relics that have survived wars and looting in this city and can be seen today. Therefore, in 1991, part of the Historical Park was considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We visited the area with a tour that left from Bangkok, it took us about two hours to arrive and we must admit that given the size of the old city and my tendency to disorient myself, we ended up somewhat dizzy with so much to see and visit in the same place. If you like history, and even if you don’t like it, the city of Ayutthaya will not disappoint you. Of course, I recommend you bring fresh clothes and plenty of water since you will have to walk quite under the Thai heat. Here is our selection of the best temples, including their historical relics, to visit in the city of Ayutthaya.
1. Wat Maha That
Here you will find the head of a Buddha in the roots of a tree, nobody knows for sure how it ended there. Some theories tell that after the sacking simply the tree began to grow around the head of the Buddha. Other theories, however, point out that a thief hid it there. This had to happen at the beginning of the 20th century when the temple collapsed causing many thieves and treasure hunters to circle the area. Probably the thief then forgot about his treasure or he couldn’t get it back. If you want to take a picture with it you will have to bend down to get down to its height. Being taller than the Buddha’s head means disrespecting him. The temple was built in the 14th century and destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. The Burmese army also destroyed other temple figures.
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
2. Wat Ratchaburana
After walking around Wat Mahathat and then walk a little further to reach Wat Ratchaburana. This Wat Ratchaburana is one of the temples of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park located next to Wat Mahathat on the north side. This temple is a royal temple in the Ayutthaya period, built during the reign of King Rama 2 (Chao Sam Phraya). Inside the temple consists of the main body of Phra Prang, the first Ayutthaya art, which is popularly built according to Khmer architecture with Laterite stone. There are 3 stucco Buddha arches that are north, south and west. And the top of the main pagoda is decorated with stucco garuda and giant surrounded by crooked terraces. Inside the main body of the Prang, there is a 2-level treasure panel that can be accessed. Which the upper floor of this floor is the mural in the early Ayutthaya period and the ground floor paneling is divided into many treasures of the land Whether it is the relics of the Buddha, the Buddha statue and precious gold ornaments. The Phra Viharn Luang is located to the east of the main pagoda. And the temple is located in the west, in the same direction. In addition, there are many pagodas and temples. After the Burmese attacked, this place became an abandoned temple for 200 years.
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
3. Wat Thammikarat
Thammikarat Temple was formerly known as Wat Mukarat Located next to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The interesting feature of this temple is a large and enormous pagoda in front of the Grand Vihara. But now has only half remaining and a stucco sculpture of Khmer-style art standing around the base of the 52 pagodas. There is also a short stairway Walk up to the chedi on all 4 sides. Inside, the chapel is enshrined with a gold-plated stucco statue made in the Rattanakosin period. Later, the temple was renovated in Rama 5. The Phra Viharn Luang or Song Tham Vihara has nine rooms. The walls of the Vihara Temple are pierced to allow light to enter and use as a ventilator. The interior is enshrined. Phra Thammikaraj, a large bronze statue made of U-Thong art that only the head is left, the Fine Arts Department has brought this head of Buddha to keep and display at the Chao Sam Phraya Museum. The Phra Viharn of Thammikarat Temple is regarded as the largest temple in the Ayutthaya period.
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
4. Wat Phra Si Sanphet
In the middle of a practically empty esplanade, you will find the three chedís of this temple. Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was also a temple of great relevance since it was once part of the grounds of the Grand Palace. The three characteristic stupas of this temple were built at the end of the 15th century to bury there the ashes of three kings of the time. They emphasize their stupas that are believed to contain the ashes of three kings: Trailok, Borom Ratchathirat III and King Rama Thibodi II.
The entrances of these chedís are a reduced version of a Khmer mandapa (chamber of entry to a sanctuary). The bell tower, the Ubosot, etc. are interesting, all of which are old and beautiful. Causing tourists, both Thai, and foreigners, to continually come and visit
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
5. Wat-Phra-Ngam-klongsrabua
This beautiful temple is assumed to have been built since the early Ayutthaya period. And was abandoned after the 2nd city in 1767, located outside the island of Ayutthaya Northside.
The highlight here is the arch that has been covered by the roots of Bodhi trees for hundreds of years. It has been paralleled that The Gate of Time is considered an unseen Thailand mystery. Beautiful and with a hidden charm that cannot be explained. We took many pictures with the door and the big root of the tree. Every tourist that visits this temple in Ayutthaya must be enticed to take pictures here.
The moment of archway photography we suggests to go to this temple at sunset around 6:00 pm when the sun will set and splash the golden orange light through the arch. Another time is in the morning. Sun will shine through the arch into the temple. .
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
6. Wat Phu Khao Thong
When mentioning the best and beautiful temples to visit in Ayutthaya Wat Phu Khao Thong can’t be omitted. Wat Phu Khao Thong also is known as the Golden Mountain Monastery: This monastery was built by King Ramesuan in 1395. The first thing that caught my attention was the white color and of course the number of stairs to climb. Next to it is a temple that is still active, in fact, the monks will welcome you, and houses inside a smiling Buddha figure.
Located almost two kilometers from the central area of Ayutthaya, this is one of the most impressive temples to see in Ayutthaya, especially for its incredible altitude of almost 80 meters. We recommend you spend some time visiting since both this and the views are really incredible.
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
7. Wat Chai Watthanaram
Although it is much newer than the rest (1630), it is one of the prettiest and best-preserved temples of Ayutthaya. It has a huge central Khmer-style prang in the center that stands up to 35 m and four smaller prangs guarding the corners of the complex. It is somewhat farther from the center of the city than the rest, but it is worth the visit. It also has shops where you can rent a Thai paper umbrella or even a whole costume around the temple.
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
8. Wat Yai Chaimongkol
Known for being another Ayutthaya’s best-preserved temples, the visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is one of the most essential places to see in Ayutthaya since it is also one of the most beautiful and magical temples in this area of Thailand.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol was built in 1357 by King U-Thong, it is visible from many parts of the city for its large chedi, over 62 meters, for which almost 30,000 tons of bricks were used in its construction.
But in addition to this chedi, what really gives this temple a special aspect is the sculpture of an incredible Buddha lying on its back, that of dozens of Buddhas that are usually covered with yellow robes, giving this place a truly magical appearance.
📍 Location: Click here to pin this temple on Google map
Is Ayutthaya in your bucket list yet? Or maybe you already know it and would like to add something else? So, go ahead and leave your comment if you have any questions or think that we left something important about any of these temples of Ayutthaya.
ฝุ่นจางๆยังไม่หาย เจ้าโควิดก็ตามมา ช่วงนี้ยังออกไปไหนไม่ได้…ให้กด Save เอาไว้ด่วนๆ กับทริปสะเดาะเคราะห์ต้อนรับปีใหม่ไทยด้วย 8 วัดในจังหวัดอยุธยา ใกล้กรุงเทพฯแค่นี้ไม่ไปไม่ได้แล้ววว….
1. วัดมหาธาตุ
สักการะ ‘เศียรพระพุทธรูปในรากไม้’ ที่มีอายุร้อยกว่าปี ถือเป็นวัดที่มีประวัติมาอย่างยาวนานและมีความสำคัญมากๆ…ลองขอพรให้ชีวิตมีแต่สิ่งดีๆก็ศักดิ์สิทธิ์ไม่แพ้กัน
📍 Location: Click Here
2. วัดราชบูรณะ
วัดเก่าแก่ที่ภายในมีกรุสมบัติขนาดใหญ่ ซึ่งปัจจุบันถูกเก็บเอาไว้อย่างดี ด้านในมีห้องโถงขนาดใหญ่ที่หลังคาถูกทำลายหมด ถือเป็นแหล่ง Highlight สำคัญของชาว Instagram เรียกได้ว่านอกจากไปสักการะยังมีมุมสวยๆให้ถ่ายรูปอีกด้วย
📍 Location: Click Here
3. วัดธรรมิการาช
ไหว้ ‘หลวงพ่อแก่’ ภายในอดีตพระอารามหลวงขนาดใหญ่…อย่างวิหารทรงธรรม ด้านนอกยังมีวิหารพระนอนองค์ใหญ่ ขนาดถึง 12 เมตร ที่ความศักดิ์สิทธิ์นั้นขึ้นชื่อของใครหลายๆคน
📍 Location: Click Here
4. วัดพระศรีสรรเพชร
วัดหลวงที่ตั้งอยู่ในเขตพระราชวังโบราณสมัยอยุธยา ต้นแบบของวัดพระแก้วในกรุงเทพฯ ถือเป็นวัดที่นิยมสำหรับคนทั่วไปที่แวะมาสักการะ และชื่นชมกับความเจริญรุ่งเรืองในสมัยก่อน…
📍 Location: Click Here
5. วัดพระงามคลองสระบัว
‘ประตูแห่งกาลเวลา’ ซุ้มประตูที่ถูกปกคลุมไปด้วยรากไม้ขนาดใหญ่กว่า 100 ปี ถือเป็นสัญลักษณ์ของวัดแห่งนี้ นอกจากนั้นด้านในยังมีผู้คนมากราบไว้สักการะ พระพุทธรูปและเจดีย์ขนาดใหญ่ด้านใน….
📍 Location: Click Here
6. วัดภูเขาทอง
สักการะพระพุทธรูป…..วัดเก่าแก่อีกวัดที่ถูกสร้างขึ้นหลังจากที่พม่าได้เข้ามาตีจนสำเร็จและสร้างเป็นอนุสรณ์ ซึ่งเป็นศิลปะแบบมอญ แต่ถูกซ่อมแซมให้เป็นเจดีย์ย่อไม้สิบสองตามความนิยม…
📍 Location: Click Here
7. วัดไชยวัฒนาราม
พระอารามหลวงในสมัยอยุธยาริมแม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา…ซึ่งนอกจากพุทธประวัติต่างๆแล้ว ยังมีระเบียงคด พุทธรูปมากมายให้เราได้ชมและสักการะอีกด้วย
📍 Location: Click Here
8. วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล
เจดีย์ทรงระฆังองค์ใหญ่ สัญลักษณ์แห่งชัยชนะขององค์สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช สถานที่สุดฮิตที่ต้องแวะขอพรสักการะสักครั้ง เพื่อธุรกิจและชีวิตที่ราบรื่น เพราะที่นี่ค้นพบมงคลคาถามากมายที่ถูกเก็บซ่อนไว้ที่นี่อีกด้วย…
📍 Location: Click Here
Deer is Travelling 