【Ayutthaya】A Day to Experience Thailand's History
Ayutthaya is located about 50 kilometers north of Bangkok. Among Thailand's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of them is the ruins in Ayutthaya. Since it's not too far from Bangkok, you can easily explore the famous spots by joining a one-day tour! Here's a guide to spending a day in Ayutthaya.
① Wat Mahathat (Photos 1 & 2)
You might have seen this before—a Buddha head embedded in tree roots. If you studied world history, you may recall seeing it in your textbook. The Buddha's head was said to have fallen during the Burmese-Siamese War and became entwined in the tree roots, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of past wars. The temple grounds are quite expansive, with many headless Buddha statues scattered around. It's a place where you can deeply feel the weight of history, so take your time to explore beyond the famous Buddha head in the tree.
② Wat Phra Si Sanphet (Photos 3–5)
This is another iconic temple in Ayutthaya, known for its three aligned chedis (stupas). These chedis are said to contain the remains of a king and his children. Similar structures can also be found in Bangkok, making this site an important part of Thailand's Buddhist history.
③ Wat Lokayasutharam (Photo 6)
This unique temple features a massive reclining Buddha statue, measuring 28 meters in length and 5 meters in height. The Buddha's serene, smiling expression gives off a calming presence, as if watching over us. While the temple is relatively large, many of its structures were destroyed during wars, leaving scattered ruins. One can only imagine its golden splendor when it was first built.
Nearby, you'll find souvenir shops, so take a stroll and explore the area.
④ Elephant Ride Experience
There are several places in Ayutthaya where you can enjoy an elephant ride. Since elephants are synonymous with Thailand, it's a must-try experience to feel the history of Ayutthaya while riding one 🐘. Short courses of 5–10 minutes are available for under 1,000 yen, making it quite affordable! If you want to explore more of Ayutthaya's ruins, consider opting for a 20-minute plan.
At the end, you can even tip the elephant, and they'll happily accept it with their trunk!
Ayutthaya is brimming with history—definitely worth a visit!
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📍: Ayutthaya, Thailand
📸: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
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