Everyone knows about the former capital of Siam, and tourists are happy to go to see the ancient ruins. Let's talk about the famous temples of Ayutthaya and the head of Buddha. Find out how to get to the city from Bangkok and Pattaya and where to stay.
Exchange rate: 1 Thai Baht (THB) ≈ 2.2 RUB.
Ayutthaya - the ancient capital of Thailand
When we first visited Ayutthaya, it was hard to believe that we are facing one of the largest cities of the Middle Ages. Several centuries ago, half a million people lived here, there were almost 400 temples and 29 military fortifications. The historical part of the city is small these days. The destroyed temples are surrounded by a park and 1-3 storey buildings.
Surprisingly, the ancient ruins do not leave a depressing impression. On the contrary, the old capital of Siam is a beautiful and majestic city. He resembles an old man who calmly lives out his life in a loving family.
If you want to visit a quiet, legendary place, be sure to go to Ayutthaya! The ancient city will give pleasant impressions and peace of mind. After visiting here, we began to better understand the attitude of Thais to their history and Buddhism.
Ayutthaya is one of the seven places you can go from Pattaya.
Ayutthaya temples
From 1350 to 1767 Ayutthaya was ruled by 35 kings. Temples and stupas were covered with gold and precious stones. More than 300 temples have remained from their former splendor, but most of them have been destroyed in whole or in part. The entrance to the big wats of Ayutthaya is 50 baht, and the smaller temples are 20 baht.
Wat Ratcha Burana Ayutthaya was founded in 1424. The main prang is surrounded by four Sri Lankan stupas. Climb the steep stairs to reveal faded medieval frescoes.
IN Wat thammikarat venerate roosters. There is a lot of greenery around. There are brightly colored figurines of roosters, and there is a Buddha's head in a bowl that resembles a lotus.
The largest monument in Ayutthaya - Viharn Phra Mongkhol Bophit... The ancient Buddhist wat was destroyed by the Burmese but was completely rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s. The local shrine is considered to be a large bronze sculpture of Buddha 12.5 m high.In the neighborhood there is a medieval Wat Phra Si Sanphet with three large stupas.
One of the popular attractions in Ayutthaya is the huge Reclining Buddha statue. Stone statue near the temple Wat Lokkayasutharam covered with an orange cloth.
What else to see... Life in the city is measured and simple, no match for the bustling capital and resorts of Thailand. Enjoy the life of ordinary Thais. Watch them shop and prepare dinner outside their homes.
We advise you to take a walk to the river. You will see thickets of green plants floating on the water, fishermen and large indoor boats where people live. A great place to take a breath in the shade of trees by the water is the green Rama Public Park. Neat bridges are laid across the reservoirs.
In addition to temples, the city has several museums, colorful Thai markets, the picturesque fortress Pom Phet and the village of elephants.
The famous Buddha head
The most famous monument in Ayutthaya is the stone head of Buddha in the roots of a tree. She is on the territory Wat mahathat: 14.356634, 100.568425. According to legend, Buddhist monks buried a part of the statue cut off by the Burmese under a nearby tree. Over time, the ficus grew, and the head rose above the ground.
Many excursion groups come to the tree every day. Everyone wants to see the symbol of Ayutthaya and take a picture of it. Do not copy tourists for whom the whole of Thailand is a continuous attraction. Respect the religious feelings of Thais! According to Buddhist tradition, you cannot turn your back, take pictures with the Buddha in the background and take a photo near your head in full growth.
How to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok and Pattaya
Tripster offers individual and group excursions to Ayutthaya:
- Luxury Ayutthaya and the Residence of the Bang Kings - $ 49
- Bp Bangkok to Ayutthaya with river cruise - $ 88.
Day tours from Pattaya sell from 2,100 baht. We spent about the same amount on an independent trip for 2 days with travel, accommodation, cotton wool entrance tickets and meals. We advise you to go yourself, without travel agencies. You will see the ancient city at a leisurely pace, at a comfortable pace and have much more fun.
There are no direct buses from Pattaya to Ayuttaya. A taxi ride 200 km one way turns out to be expensive - from $ 90. From the North Street Pattaya Bus Station, take a bus to Bangkok Mo Chit Terminal.
How to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok? Minivans and buses run from Mo Chit to Ayutthaya from 5:00 to 18:00 at half-hour-hour intervals. The road takes an hour and a half. Everything depends on traffic jams. The fare is 56-70 baht. At the checkout, ask so that the Thais understand you - Ayutia, with stress on the last syllable.
Buses for 250 baht run from Khaosan Street. There is another way to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya - by rail. Trains run from Hua Lamphong Railway Station every half hour. Travel in a class 3 carriage costs 15 baht.
Hotels in Ayutthaya
There are so many attractions in Ayutthaya that they cannot be seen in one day. For this reason, many tourists come overnight. There are more than 150 hotels in Ayutthaya - from inexpensive guesthouses to luxury hotels with swimming pools and tropical gardens. There are offers in any season, so it is not at all necessary to book accommodation in advance.
You can settle in any part of the city. We advise you to stay in the center, closer to the ruins. A double room at Classic Kameo Hotel & Serviced Apartments, Ayutthaya 5 * costs $ 78. A double room with air conditioning in a 3 * hotel will cost $ 25-30, and in a budget guesthouse - from $ 11 per day.
Useful Tips
Nearly all of Ayutthaya's attractions are outdoors. It is better to come not in the heat and not during the monsoon period. It is most comfortable to walk around the city in the dry season - from late November to late February. Check out early to turn around in the day.
It is better to move around the ancient city by transport: tuk-tuk, bike or bicycle. Local tuk-tuk have an original design. Nowhere in Thailand have we seen such shaped, sun-shining cases. Drivers take tourists all over the city. Each has a diagram of Ayutthaya with the main monuments. Choose a route - and off you go! The driver will slow down where necessary and wait while you inspect the ruins and take a photo. The average price per hour is 250-300 baht. The 3 hour trip from the Ayutthaya bus station cost us 600 baht.
If you enjoy cycling, rent a two-wheeled vehicle for 50 baht per day. Motorbike prices start at 200 baht.
As with any city in Thailand, Ayutthaya has no problem with food. On the streets you will find restaurants, cafes and eateries for the locals. Perhaps only there are fewer macawaters in Ayutthaya than in Bangkok or Pattaya. In the evenings, opposite the Wat Mahathat temple, a night market begins to work, where they sell edibles with might and main. The prices are usual - 40-100 baht per serving.
