Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya has been the ancient capital of Thailand for 400 years (from the 14th to the 18th century). UNESCO recognized this place as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World in 1991. Although it was once the "capital," Ayutthaya has a peaceful and quiet beauty like the suburban countryside. With a relatively small area, it only takes you about half a day to entirely visit every corner of this place! With its magnificent beauty and prosperity, this place is like the Venice of the East. During the eighteenth century, Ayutthaya was almost destroyed in the war. However, the remnants of a golden age will undoubtedly appeal to you.

Today, the kingdom's ruins can be toured while walking the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Home to many prang (reliquary towers), wat, and stucco statues, the park is surrounded by three rivers and deep moats and covers an area of 289 hectares.

Wat Phra Mahathat is perhaps the most famous temple here, thanks to a statue of a Buddha's head entwined in tree roots. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the largest of the temples in the park, features three large silver-looking Chedis. At the same time, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is best known for its giant reclining Buddha and the hundreds of sitting Buddha statues surrounding the temple, all draped in golden cloth.

The best-preserved ruin in Ayutthaya Historical Park is Wat Ratchaburana. Wat Ratchaburana was created on a tiny scale to resemble the classic picture of Mount Meru in India. A tunnel inside the tower, in particular, leads to buried gold and silver riches. The Burmese, on the other hand, practically "stole" it. Ayutthaya has numerous well-known temples, each with the distinct architecture of an old metropolis. It is a historical cradle where the Thai royal family preserved valuable antiques.