Ayutthaya Historical Park, Historical park in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya Historical Park is a historical site in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand, encompassing the ruins of a former Siamese capital. The compound spreads across a wide area with temple complexes, pagodas, and monastery remains surrounded by broad waterways.
The city was founded in 1350 as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam and grew into a major trading center in Southeast Asia. Burmese troops destroyed the city in 1767, after which the capital moved to Bangkok and the ruins were left behind.
The grounds preserve the remains of more than 400 temples and palaces that once formed the religious and political center of a kingdom. Visitors today see chedis with slender spires, reclining Buddha statues, and rows of columns that speak to the site's role as a spiritual hub.
The park sits on an island surrounded by rivers, making boat trips a good way to gain an overview of the site. Bicycles and motorbike taxis allow travelers to move between the widely scattered temples without covering long distances on foot.
At Wat Mahathat, a Buddha head has been enclosed by tree roots over decades and now forms a well-known image. The roots have slowly lifted the head and bound it firmly into the wood, merging nature and sculpture.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
