Ayutthaya is a fascinating historical park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. At just a one-hour drive from Bangkok, it makes for an easy and refreshing day trip out of the city. Ayutthaya was the second capital of Siam (Thailand) for 417 years from 1350 to 1767 until its destruction by the Burmese. In their attack, Burmese forces burned the city to the ground and destroyed sacred shrines, chedis, and Buddha statues. The structures that managed to survive the fire were buried beneath the ground for hundreds of years.
Nowadays, much of Ayutthaya has been unearthed and its ruins form an archaeological park. Visitors can walk around the ruins with relative freedom to see magnificent temples, palaces, and Buddha statues. The park is home to several striking buildings. Among them are Wat Phra Ram Temple, Wat Chaiwatthanaram monastery, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Once you’ve finished touring the grounds, don’t miss the overgrown Buddha head behind Mahathat Temple. This unique relic has become a major tourist attraction and the iconic image of Ayutthaya.
