Ayutthaya (Thailand) - Temples & Ruins (World Heritage Site)

Today, the first day trip to the ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Of Ayutthaya was on the agenda.

Table of contents

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is located about 70 kilometers from Thailand’s metropolis Bangkok and is the ancient capital of the then kingdom of Siam. Ayutthaya is almost completely surrounded by water and still represents an imposing portrait of its rich and impressive history. In 1767, the city was defeated by the Burmese siege and was almost completely destroyed. The ruler then left Ayutthaya and founded a new capital city, Bangkok. Throughout the city there are chedis, Buddha statues and temples. In 1991, the park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The detailed travel report to Ayutthaya will be delivered, but we have already uploaded the pictures. If there are any specific questions about the pictures or this travelogue, please post a comment at the end of the post.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon Temple

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon – This temple is still in operation today and is inhabited by Buddhist nuns.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Wat Mahathat – The Buddha’s Head in the Tree

At around 46 metres, the Prang is the highest of its kind in Ayutthaya and extremely impressive. Here you can also find the well-known photo motif of a Buddha head that seems to grow out of a tree.

The entrance to Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat

The Buddha's Head in a Tree

Buddha Head in the Tree

Wat Mahathat

The Buddhist temple complex Wat Ratchaburana

The Buddhist temple complex Wat Ratchaburana is located on the edge of the center of the old town of Ayutthaya, west of the river Lopburi. According to the “Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya”, Wat Ratchaburana was built in 1424 at the instigation of King Borommaracha II to take the ashes of his older brothers Chao Ai Phraya and Chao Yi Phraya, who had previously killed each other in an elephant duel around the throne “at the foot of the Pa Than Bridge”.

Wat Ratchaburana

The Royal Temple Wat Phra Si Sanphet

The present ruins of the once most important temple complex are now among the largest and most impressive in Ayutthaya. At that time, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was located on the grounds of the Royal Palace and was used as a chapel for religious ceremonies.

The Royal Palace in Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

The Temple Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit

South of the area of the old palace is the temple Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit. In this temple stands one of the largest bronze Buddha statues of Thailand. This bronze Buddha is 12.45 meters high.

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit

Ayutthaya

The Buddhist temple complex

We think Ayutthaya is a really huge and at the same time very impressive sight.

All travelogues from South-East Asia (2013)

In this holiday through South East Asia we travelled through 5 different countries. Starting with our flight to Hong Kong (China), then on to Bangkok (Thailand), to the million metropolis Singapore, then into the jungle to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Wat to Siem Riep (Cambodia), on to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and finally to the island of Borneo (Malaysia). An unbelievably fascinating journey with an incredible number of impressions and experiences.