To be honest, I had not heard about Ayutthaya before my trip to Thailand, but that’s just because I’m a jerk. It wasn’t on Entertainment Tonight. Perez Hilton didn’t blog about it. And The Amazing Race never schlepped contestants through here. Life was seen through television and the internet. But there’s so much more to see when you power down and go outside. Believe me, it’s better than cable.
Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam (the name changed to Thailand in 1938) for 417 years, until the Burmese got their hands on it in 1768 and burnt it to the ground . The government set up shop in Bangkok, and that’s where the capital has been ever since.
A few fellow Canadians and I took the morning train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, stored our bags in the cloak room, dodged the persistent tuk-tuk drivers out front of the railway station, and set out in the search for bicycles. That took about 2 minutes. Vendors across the street were renting bikes for 40 Baht (about $1.30 USD) – for the whole day. I know a deal when I smell one, so we hopped on and headed off.
The ancient city of Ayutthaya is an island, surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers, and it’s quite a mixture of old and new. It’s a busy town, but navigating through the traffic on bike has its rewards.
Here are some of the sights you can expect to see…
Wat Ratburana juts out into the Ayutthaya sky. (Wat just means temple).
Located at Wat Phra Mahathat is one of the most iconic symbols in Thailand. The Buddha Head engulfed by the roots of a banyan tree is arguably one of the most photographed places in Thailand.
When taking a photo of the Buddha’s head, better crouch or kneel or face un-nirvana like reprimands.
Buddha wrapped in cloth at Wat Phra Mahathat.
Tourists getting taken for a ride outside the Elephant Kraal, or enclosure.
A monk releases birds outside of Wihaan Phra Mongkohn Bophit. The releasing of animals into their natural habitat is a demonstration of piety among Buddhists.
Wihaan Phra Mongkohn Bophit is the site of one of the largest seated bronze Buddhas in Thailand.
Right next to Wihaan Phra Mongkohn Bophit is Wat Phra Si Sanphet which was the site of the ancient Royal Palace before the Burmese sacked it. The three bell-shaped stupa (or large Buddhist religious monument) are all that remain after the site of the palace was turned into a temple.
Although there are plenty of options for accommodations in Ayutthaya, we decided to see it in one day. If you are coming from Bangkok and plan to leave in the evening for Chiang Mai, book your ticket as soon as you get off the train. All the overnight trains headed north were sold out when we returned to the station late afternoon.
Have you been to Ayutthaya? What do you think we missed?
Canada 
America 
Oman 
Interesting and fun pictures. Biking is great
It sure was a lot of fun!
How interesting! I had never heard of the place, and also didn’t know it was the centre of the kingdom. Great that you biked it, too!
It’s a place definitely worth a visit for sure.
We also biked it, but somehow we missed the famous buddha head/tree. Maybe we were too tired? We had a great time biking the sites, but we enjoyed the further out Wats (may of which were still active) the most. Probably because of the local interaction!
It’s true, the further you go outside the old city, the fewer tourists you see. Too bad you missed the Buddha head! But we almost missed it too. We thought it was at a different Wat…
I hadn’t heard of Ayutthaya before this post either, so that makes 2 jerks. I’ve even seen pictures my friends had taken of the Buddha head in the banyan tree and had no idea where they were taken.
Nice photos! Sounds like a fun day.
It was a hot, sweaty, dirty day! Reminded me of when I was a kid — taking your bike and not knowing where you are going. It was a blast!
I love Ayutthaya! I went there in 2009 and was extremely impressed with the ruins. I think you covered the most stunning ruins and temples in this ancient capital.
While it is a place I would not stay more than a day, today I feel like I want to go back to enjoy it again.
Norbert recently posted..Machu Picchu: How To Get the Most Out of Your Visit
Yes it was pretty awesome. The heat though. Oh the heat…
These photos are gorgeous!
Thanks Angela! I got a new camera!!
Raymond recently posted..Biking Ayutthaya, Thailand
It didn’t take you long to start getting the good shots in!
robin recently posted..A Starling In The Apartment
Thanks Robin! I’ve been shooting like a madman…
loved ayutthaya- it’s a world heritage site! that being said, it doesn’t take long to see things as we both seemed to pretty quickly.
love the photos! YAY! you did it!!!
Lorna – the roamantics recently posted..The Roamantics Turns 1- My 7 Links of the Year
It was a whirlwind to be sure, but very doable in only a day. Thanks for the compliment on the photos! Playing around with that new camera is hopefully gonna pay off…
I haven’t been there but I love these sorts of sites in Thailand. Would love to go back someday
There is so much to see and do here — and it’s so cheap! I could spend months here and still only touch the tip of the iceberg…
I am dying to go to Thailand…it sounds like you’re having a blast! (I love your intro paragraph. LOL.)
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Side Trip: Parque das Aves – Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Thanks Michael! I love getting compliments!!
Haven’t been but will be after seeing your great pictures! Sounds like a great adventure.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..A Scenic Village In Switzerland
Thanks Debbie — it was definitely an adventure…
Some great pics! Such a cool city
Cam recently posted..The Time I got Robbed by a Thai Prostitute in Bangkok
It was a great way to spend the day for sure.
I love biking around places. I’ll definitely have to remember to do this when we make it to Thailand.
Randy recently posted..The Beers & Beans Starter Kit – Our 7 Links
It’s good cheap fun!
Wow! What a trip!
Abby recently posted..The Political Side of Things in Buenos Aires
You.Will.Love.Angkor.Wat. Haven’t seen Ayutthaya yet, but hoping to soon…
Theodora recently posted..The Road to the Lake of Farts
Wow I’ve been to Thailand twice and never heard of it.
Roy Marvelous | cruisesurfingz recently posted..My Blind Date From CouchSurfing
Ayutthaya is on our itinerary, but never thought to bike through it. Would love to get on a bike again (but only if the heat doesn’t flatten us out,lol)
I would highly recommend a bike. The only time we got really sweaty and flustered from the heat was when we weren’t on the bike — the breeze you get is sooooo refreshing!
Thank you Raymond, really hope to follow your advice! now, I’m really excited!
Some great images, amazing destination loved the whole post!
Iain Mallory recently posted..The Great Ocean Roadtrip – A superlative adventure