Ayutthaya, Thailand

อยุธยา (Ayutthaya) then known as พระนครศรีอยุธยา (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) from 1350 to 1767 and is known for its impressive ruins and historical significance. 

Ayutthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park encompasses the ruins of the old city, including palaces, temples and statues.

For my Ayutthaya adventure, I did a day trip from Bangkok.

If you have time constraint like me, I would suggest you select the places that you wish to visit and with reference to the map, plan out the route so that you can inform the driver upon arrival of the places on your list and you can be on your way.

The places which I shortlisted for my 6-hour 'temple run' adventure included the following 15 locations and a quick lunch:

iseasywith.me Travel Tip

As my 15-locations-over-6-hours temple run might be quite strenuous for some as it involved brisk walking, jogging, running and, climbing up and down flights of stairs, etc. under the blazing sun, I would suggest to have some level of fitness if you plan to embark on the same adventure.
Remember to have a bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated.

• Wat Yai Chaimongkhon / Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon / วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล
• Wat Phanan Choeng / วัดพนัญเชิง
• Portuguese Village / Church of San Petro
• Wat Putthaisawan / วัดพุทไธสวรรย์
• Wat Chai Watthanaram / วัดไชยวัฒนาราม
• Wat Lokaya Sutha / Wat Lokayasutharam / วัดโลกยสุธา
• Quick Lunch
• Wat Worachet / Wat Worachet Thep Bamrung / วัดวรเชษฐ์
• Wat Phu Khao Thong / Monastery of the Golden Mount / Golden Mount Temple / วัดภูเขาทอง
• Wat Naphrameru-Rajikaram / Wat Na Phra Meru / Wat Na Phramane / Wat Na Phramen / Wat Phra Merurachikaram / วัดหน้าพระเมรุ
• Wat Phrasisanpeth / Wat Phra Si Sanphet / วัดพระศรีสรรเพชญ์
• Phra Mongkhon Bophit / วิหารพระมงคลบพิตร
• Wat Phra Ram / วัดพระราม
• Wat Maha That / วัดมหาธาตุ
• Wat Ratchaburana / วัดราชบูรณะ
• Wat Thammikarat / วัดธรรมิกราช

iseasywith.me Public Service Announcement

There were entrance fees to certain temples, as indicated in the posts.
When visiting Buddhist temples, please observe the following:

1. Dress modestly i.e. cover your shoulders and knees.
2. Maintain a quiet demeanor.
3. Do not touch the buddha statues.

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon / Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon / วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล

Known by different names such as Wat Pa Kaeo, Wat Pakaew, Wat Chao Phraya Thai and Wat Yai Chaiya Mongkhon in the past, Wat Yai Chaimongkhon was established in 1357 by King U-Thong, the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, to house monks who returned from pilgrimage in Ceylon (present Sri Lanka).

The temple was renamed Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, which means Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory, by King Naresuan after his victory over the Burmese in 1593.

The most prominent feature of the temple is the chedi (stupa). Standing at 60 metres, it was constructed to commemorate King Naresuan's victory. The chedi is surrounded by smaller stupas and a large courtyard filled with buddha statues.

In the ubosot (ordination hall), there is a large seated buddha and there is also a large reclining Buddha statue in the temple.

Wat Phanan Choeng / วัดพนัญเชิง

Wat Phanan Choeng (THB20) was established in 1324, 26 years before the founding of Ayutthaya. It is one of the oldest temples built during the Sukhothai period.

Local legend has it that the temple was built to appease the spirit of a Chinese princess who drowned in the river after being rejected by her Thai husband.

The main attraction is the viharn which houses a 19-metre tall and 14-metre wide seated Buddha statue. To the Thais, the Buddha is known as Luang Pho To or Great Reverend Father while to the Chinese or Thais of Chinese origin, Sam Po Kong. The statue is made of stucco and covered with gold leaf.

Portuguese Village / Church of San Petro

The Portuguese Village / Campos Portugues / Ban Protuket, is a historical area where Portuguese settlers lived during the 16th and 17th centuries.

There were three Roman Catholic churches in the village- The Church of San Petro for the Dominican sect (Ban Jacobin), the Church of San Paolo for the Jesuit sect (Ban Jesuit) and the Franciscan Church of Madre de Deus for the Franciscan sect.

The settlement was destroyed during the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.

Today, the excavated ruins of the Church of San Petro remain and a small museum provides insights into the life of the Portuguese community. The ruins of the other two churches are not discovered yet.

Wat Putthaisawan / วัดพุทไธสวรรย์ 

Wat Phutthaisawan, also known as Monastery of Buddhist Kingship, was built in 1353 by King Ramathibodi I. It is renowned for its large Khmer-style prang (tower) and an impressive Buddha image in the ordination hall.

The temple houses a collection of beautiful Buddha images, including a row of golden Sukhothai-style Buddhas, ancient murals and various architectural structures that reflect the grandeur of the Ayutthaya period.

Wat Chai Watthanaram / วัดไชยวัฒนาราม

Wat Chai Watthanaram, which means the Temple of Long Reign and Glorious Era, was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong.

The temple features a central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) 35 metres high symbolising Mount Meru and surrounded by four smaller ones.

If you have been to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, you may see resemblance between the two temples.

Wat Lokaya Sutha / Wat Lokayasutharam / วัดโลกยสุธา

Wat Lokaya Sutha is known for its massive reclining Buddha statue known as Phra Buddha Sai Yat. Draped in orange cloth and measures about 42 metres long and 8 metres high, it depicts the Buddha entering Nirvana at the time of his death.

The temple dates back to the early Ayutthaya period and features various ruins, including chedis and other structures that reflect the architectural style of the time.

Much of the temple was destroyed during the 1767 Burmese invasion and only the ruins of the main buildings and a 30 metre high central Khmer-style prang, which serves as a backdrop to the reclining Buddha, remains today.

Quick Lunch

Lunch was a quick 20 minutes break of pork rice (THB80 with 2 bottles of water) before I continued with my temple run. 😋

Wat Worachet / Wat Worachet Thep Bamrung / วัดวรเชษฐ์

Wat Worachet was built during the later period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, possibly in the 16th century. It features a Khmer-style prang (tower-like structure) which reflects the influence of the earlier Khmer Empire on Thai architecture.

Wat Phu Khao Thong / Monastery of the Golden Mount / Golden Mount Temple / วัดภูเขาทอง

Wat Phu Khao Thong, also known as the Monastery of the Golden Mount, was built in 1395 by King Ramesuan of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Phu Khao Thong translates to 'Golden Mountain'. The most prominent feature is the 50 metres tall chedi (stupa).

Wat Naphrameru-Rajikaram / Wat Na Phra Meru / Wat Na Phramane / Wat Na Phramen / Wat Phra Merurachikaram / วัดหน้าพระเมรุ

Wat Naphrameru-Rajikaram, also known as the Monastery in Front of the Funeral Pyre, is believed to have been built in 1503 and known as Wat Phra Meru Rachikaram.

The most important Buddha image in the ordination hall was named Phra Buddha Nimitr Vichit Maramoli Sisanpeth Boromtrailokanat. The crowned image sits in the Subduing Mara posture and measures 6 metres high and 4.50 metres wide across the lap. The hall also features on its gable Lord Vishnu mounted on Garuda, positioned on top of the demon Rāhu placed between two nāgas (serpents) and flanked by 26 devas (deities).

Wat Phrasisanpeth / Wat Phra Si Sanphet / วัดพระศรีสรรเพชญ์

Wat Phrasisanpeth (THB50) was built in 1350 during the reign of King Borommatrailokanat and was the grandest and most beautiful temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom, serving as the royal temple within the Royal Palace grounds.

It is renowned for its three large chedis (stupas) which enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings- King Borommatrailokanat, King Borommarachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II.

The temple was the holiest and most important temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Unfortunately, the temple was largely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767 and the ruins have since been partially restored.

Phra Mongkhon Bophit / วิหารพระมงคลบพิตร

Phra Mongkhon Bophit, also known as the Buddha of the Holy and Supremely Auspicious Reverence, features a large bronze Buddha statue about 12.5 metres high and 9.6 metres across the lap.

The statue was originally cast in 1538 and enshrined in the open. A wihan (assembly hall) was later built to cover it. The statue and the wihan suffered damage during the Burmese invasion of Ayutthaya in 1767. Today, it is gilded in gold, adding to its grandeur and making it a revered object of worship for Thai Buddhists.

Wat Phra Ram / วัดพระราม

Wat Phra Ram (THB50) which means Temple of the Holy Ram, was constructed in 1369 by King Ramesuan on the cremation ground of his father, King U-Thong, the first king of Ayutthaya, was cremated, to honour his father.

The temple features a central prang (a tall, tower-like spire common in Khmer and Thai architecture) surrounded by smaller chedis and viharns (assembly halls). The prang is richly decorated with intricate carvings and stucco work, typical of the early Ayutthaya architectural style.

Wat Maha That / วัดมหาธาตุ

Wat Mahathat (THB50), also known as the Monastery of the Great Relic, was established in the 14th century, during the reign of King Borommarachathirat I (1370-1388) or King Ramesuan (1369-1370).

The most prominent feature of the temple is its central prang (tower). It was a grand structure but collapsed and has been partially restored. The prang reflected the Khmer architectural influence and was richly decorated with stucco and carvings. The temple also includes numerous chedis (stupas), viharns (assembly halls) and other structures, showcasing a variety of architectural styles and decorations.

Look out for the iconic Buddha head entwined in the roots of a Bodhi tree.

Wat Ratchaburana / วัดราชบูรณะ

Wat Ratchaburana (THB50), which means Temple of the Royal Restoration, was established in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II / King Sam Phraya to commemorate his two elder brothers, Chao Ai Phraya and Chao Yi Phraya, who died in a duel over the throne.

The prominent feature of the temple is its central prang (tower), which is one of the best-preserved structures of its kind in Ayutthaya, surrounded by smaller chedis (stupas), the remains of the viharn (ordination hall) and other buildings. The prang is richly decorated with intricate carvings and stucco work, showcasing Khmer architectural influences.

Beneath the central prang is a crypt containing ancient mural paintings, gold artifacts, jewelry, Buddha images and other treasures. It was looted in the 1950s but some of the artifacts have been recovered and are displayed at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum nearby.

Wat Thammikarat / วัดธรรมิกราช

Wat Thammikarat (THB20), initially named Wat Mukharat, was constructed in the 15th century during the reign of King Borommarachathirat II.

The temple features a central chedi (stupa) surrounded by lion statues and has a viharn (assembly hall) which houses several Buddha images.

Look out for numerous rooster statues throughout the temple.

Getting there and around

I took a minibus from Mochit Bus Station (THB60) and the journey was about 1.5 hours.

When you arrive at the bus station, look for Ayutthaya on the banner outside the terminal buildings to tell you which building you should go, to buy your ticket and wait for the bus, in case the allocations have changed. When I was there, it was bus 901 from building B. Buy your ticket and wait for the staff to call for passengers to board the bus.

After you alight from the minibus at Ayutthaya, there would be pickup drivers waiting to solicit for your business to bring you around. After some bargaining, I engaged a driver (THB1300) to bring me around to the temples I shortlisted and back to the bus stop to take me back to Bangkok at the end of the day.

The whole temple run adventure took about 6 hours.

After the driver dropped my off to where I arrived, I took a minibus back to Bangkok (THB70).

Hope you enjoyed doing the temple run with me in the comfort of your chair. Do check out my other adventures as travelling iseasywith.me. 🙂