Ayutthaya Full Day Tour

*This review is part of our Bangkok 2012 Travel.

Ayutthaya city is a capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand, found by King U Thong in 1350 where later it has name as Ayutthaya Kingdom, it has become the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. Unfortunately in 1767 the city was destroyed by Burmese army resulting the collapse of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Most of the temple, building and palace are destrop. It was then left abandone untill the latest King who putting in effort to protect and recover it with the help of UNESCO. Today Ayutthaya has become one of the UNESCO world heritage list.

We took Mama Tour for our visit to Ayutthaya since it pretty far away from Bangkok City hence it advisable to take local tour guide. Ayutthaya Full Day Tour cost $600 which include visit to 5 temples and lunch.

The 5 temple are Wat Phu Khao Thong, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, Wat Lokaya Sutha, Wat Phra Mahathat

06:30 Pick up time
07:30 Go to Ayutthaya (Ancient city) .
08:30 visit Wat Phu Khao Thong This temple is located outside the city of ayutthaya.
09:30 Arrive at Ayutthaya visit The ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet . Visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit one of the largest bronze buddha’s in Thailand.
12:00 Thai buffet Lunch.
13:00 visit Wat Lokaya Sutha. This temple is adjacent to Wat wora-chettharam in the west to the city. It houses a large reclining Buddha image, made of brick and covered with plaster.
14:30 visit “Wat Phra Mahathat ” This Temples is located in front of the grand palace. The construction was began during the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I in 1374 A.D.
15:00 Back to Bangkok.

Our first destination is Wat Phu Khao Thong, this temple is located outside of Ayutthaya City and immediately coming out from van we all “WAU”. The tall building simply stunning, it white in color and pyramid shape high toward the sky. Wat Phu Khao Thong was build by King Ramesuan in 1395.

Kids are enjoying playing at the ground.

Guan Yin Temple

The vihara

Inside the Ubosot

There is a lot small statue inside Ubosot

It quite steep to climb up Wat Phu Khao Thong but not so steep as Wat Arun. From the top of Wat Phu Khao Thong you have a broad view over the city as surrounding has no tall building.

View toward Naresuan Memorial

Wat Phu Khao Thong is truly impressive, the building is stunning.

After visit the historical building now we move toward Wat Lokaya Sutha.

Wat Lokaya Sutha is located west of Royal Palace, it is one of the restored ruins. In this temple the significant build is definetely the Reclining Buddha which is 37 meters long and 8 meter high. We just took a few photo and ready for the next temple.

Wat Phra Mahathat was built by King Rachatirat in 1384 where it later collape and abandone. In 1956 a secret chamber was found and among the treasures found inside were gold, jewerly, gold casket and fine tableware.

The highlight of this place is definitely the Buddha head inside tree root.

Sadly most of the buddha here is headless due to the fall of Ayutthaya and most of the buddha head has been stole.

One of the rare complete statue.

After some tiring walk under hot sun, it time for buffet lunch. We did not expect something good but the lunch provided is really simple, it was too simple that we don’t eat much as the food is below average, but this is what you get for the whole tour package that cost only $600.

The last place to visit is Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit has become one of the major tourist attraction in Ayutthaya City, inside the Chapel has one huge bronze cast Buddha and it name Phra Mongkol Bopit. This building was once burn down during the second fall of Ayutthaya but recently it has been refurbished and become one of the nicest temple around.

Huge Buddha

Attach together is Wat Phra Si Sanphet which build by King Ramathibodi I and the significant construction of this place is the three smain stupas that containing the ashes of King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat, King Boroma-Rachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II

The local people is enjoying their life under hot sun playing chess.

Next to the temple is a small market where some local craft and souvenir are sold here, this is the cheapest place to buy souvenir on our whole trip as well.

Coconut Ice Cream

Roti Sai Mai is a must try as it is one of the local dessert found in Ayutthaya, it is a candy floss that wrapped in pandan flavor popiah skin. They sell in package for just $20 which has 8 pandan wrap and candy floss.