Things to Do in Ayutthaya: Temples, Ruins, and River Tours

The UNESCO World Heritage ruins

Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1350 to 1767 CE, when it was sacked by the Burmese army and never re-established. The ruins that remain cover an island in the Chao Phraya River system — hundreds of temples, palace sites, and fortifications in varying states of preservation. The most significant are now administered as Ayutthaya Historical Park (UNESCO World Heritage 1991).

Essential temples

Wat Mahathat — The most visited site and home of the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots. The image dates from the Ayutthaya period; the tree grew through the ruins over centuries. Photography is allowed but visitors must sit or kneel at eye level with the head — signage is clear. The surrounding ruins include prang towers, chedis, and headless Buddha images in the rows.

Entry: ฿50.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet — The royal temple of the Ayutthaya palace complex. Three large chedis in a row are the defining image — built to contain the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. The chedis are Ceylonese in form (bell-shaped) and unusually well-preserved. Entry: ฿50.

Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit — Adjacent to Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Contains one of Thailand’s largest bronze Buddha images (nearly 13 metres seated). The original was cast in the 15th century, damaged by the Burmese, and restored multiple times. Still an active place of worship.

Wat Ratchaburana — One of the most imposing ruins in the park. A large central prang (Khmer-style tower) with crypt chambers below — a significant cache of royal treasure was found here in the 1950s, now in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. Entry: ฿50.

Wat Chai Watthanaram — On the west bank of the Chao Phraya (across the river from the main ruins island). A 17th-century temple modelled on Angkor Wat’s layout. Less visited than the central ruins. Best at sunset when the light turns the laterite gold. Entry: ฿50.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

The best collection of Ayutthaya-period art and artefacts: Buddha images, ceremonial weapons, gold jewellery and vessels from the Wat Ratchaburana crypt, and silk royal regalia. Two buildings, well organised. Worth 1–1.5 hours. Entry: ฿150.

River tours

The Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers encircle the old city. A boat trip (hired longtail from the pier near Wat Phanan Choeng, ฿600–800 per boat for 1 hour) gives views of the riverside temples — some only visible from the water — and passes the Bang Ian Night Market floating pier and the Chinese temple Wat Phanan Choeng (one of Ayutthaya’s oldest, with a large seated Buddha image).

Cycling the ruins

The most enjoyable way to spend 3–4 hours. Rent a bicycle near the train station (฿50/day), pick up a ฿20 map at the park entrance, and follow the circuit: Wat Mahathat → Wat Ratchaburana → Wat Phra Ram → Wat Phra Si Sanphet → Wihan Mongkhon Bophit. The roads inside the park are sealed and have almost no traffic.

Bang Pa-In Palace

20km south of Ayutthaya (songthaew from the city, ฿15). The former royal summer palace on an island in the Chao Phraya. The buildings are eclectic — a Thai pavilion over the water, a Chinese-style mansion, a Gothic observation tower, and European neoclassical halls, all within one compound. Built and expanded from the 17th to 20th centuries. Entry: ฿100. More interesting for its architectural variety than for any individual building.