Spending 1 or 2 days in Ayutthaya is a perfect idea to better understand the culture, customs, and the lifestyle of Thai people. This city is otherwise known by the name “Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya”, which is an ancient capital of Thailand. Here are the best places to spend time during your 1 or 2 days in Ạyutthaya on Thailand tours.
Temples in Ayutthaya at dawn
Best Time to Visit Ayutthaya
It’s hot all year round. Mean temperatures range from 32°C (December) to 37°C (April). The rainfall in Ayutthaya is significant, with precipitation even during the driest month. The rainiest months are July, August, and September. We advise the months of January, February, December, to visit Ayutthaya.
Getting to Ayutthaya
There are many means of transportation that you can choose for 1 or 2 days in Ayutthaya.
By bus or minivan
To go to Ayutthaya by bus, go to the bus station “Mo Chit” in Bangkok. The departure of a bus every 20 minutes approximately.
- If you opt for the mini-van, you can leave directly from Khao San Road or Mo Chit Bus Station.
- The price is 2 euro to 8 euro/person.
By train
If you prefer to travel at a different pace and enjoy the scenery far from the road, the option of the train is really interesting. Always our favorite and by far the most economical since the trip will cost you only 15 baths in third class and 35 baths in second!
Guests must go to Hua Lamphong Central Station or Don Muang Airport. There are many trains that run from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Departure every 30 minutes or so.
On a boat
The Chao Phraya River is part of Thailand’s culture and history. This is without a doubt the most expensive option but also more authentic and exotic. By organizing your visit to the ruins of Ayutthaya is one of the many travel agencies in Bangkok, you will have the opportunity to reach the ruins by going up the Chao Phraya River.
Getting around Ayutthaya
By bike
Rent a day from 50 baht, see free with some guesthouses (assuming you spend the night). For the less busy, this is the preferred way to browse the park. Knowing that most temples are concentrated in the same perimeter. But this is not the ideal way to go through my selection as a whole, as several temples are outside the central part. This remains feasible, but ask not to hang around so you can see everything.
By scooter
generally 200 baht (plus gas), it is the way par excellence to discover the temples in my eyes, in addition to saving time to be able to discover more, it allows us to keep its independence.
By tuk-tuk
Certainly not the most economical, but if you do not have a lot of time in front of you and can not drive a scooter. This remains a rather appreciated way. It usually costs you up to 200 bahts an hour).
Tuk-tuk in Ayutthaya
Things to Do for 1 or 2 Days in Ayutthaya
1. Visit religious and historical monuments
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
Built-in the late 16th century to mark the victory of King Naresuan. Its name also means “the great monastery of victory”.
In addition to the cloister surrounded by these 135 statues of Buddhas, you can admire the imposing chedi of 62 m above which you will have a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
Inside, let yourself be tempted by the release of room in the center of the well, outside, come and admire the Thais who always come to pray in front of the reclining Buddha, now in the open air, his roof of protection disappeared with the effects of time.
Wat Mahathat
Probably the best known of all, indeed, it is in this temple that you can admire the head of a Buddha statue embedded in the roots of a tree, become a true symbol of Ayutthaya.
The alignment of decapitated Buddha statues leaves no one indifferent, as do the marks of the earthquakes that turned some towers into mini Pisa and folded the ground like chewing gum.
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
This temple is a Buddhist temple of Ayutthaya, the former royal capital of present-day Thailand. It is a temple, the most important of Ayutthaya, was founded in the fifteenth century by King Borom Trai Lokanat and embellished by his successors.
This is without a doubt the most important temple of the grand palace. A 16 m tall Buddha statue covered with 263 kg of gold was present here. Unfortunately, it was swept away by the Burmese during the war.
However, the central three chedis still contain the ashes of three famous Ayutthaya kings of the sixteenth century.
Wat Phu Khao Thong
Known as Mount Oro, this temple is located northwest of the city. From the top of the hill, you can see a large area enjoying the views of some more distant chedis. It is located in an area of rice fields and ponds.
At first, this Chedi was built by the Burmese, during the occupation. After many years, it collapsed due to a lack of maintenance and was rebuilt to become what we see today.
In a long avenue, at the entrance to the temple and before you even get there, is a statue of King Naresuan. A quiet place where you can admire one of the jewels of Ayutthaya.
The Royal Palace of Bang Pa In
Summer home of Siamese kings and their wives, the Bang Pa In Royal Palace is open to the public as it is rarely visited by the royal family.
The palace includes beautiful buildings with both European and Thai architecture and is located in a large park-like complex.
The palace was founded by King Prasat Thong in 1632 (during the Ayutthaya era), but many of the buildings were built 250 years later. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) enlarged the complex and added buildings and buildings. gardens at Versailles, to arrive at the version of today.
2. Take a boat trip on the river
In Ayutthaya, you can enjoy long-tail boat rides as well as lunches and dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya River surrounding Ayutthaya’s Old Town. The most popular long-tail boat trip lasts 2 hours and stops around 20 minutes in 3 temples: Wat Phutthaisawan, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, and Wat Phanan Choeng.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya
3. Discover museums and parks
The Million Toy Museum
It is a museum that houses many Thai and imported toys, both past, and present. The toys are spread over 2 levels. The ground floor features an exhibition of Thai lifestyles, home accessories and Thai toys from the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin eras.
The first floor presents old toys from around the world. Wooden toys, pewter and, later, plastic testify to the revolution of toy making in every society. The toy museum is open from 9 am to 4 pm every day except Monday.
Look for the intersection of Pratuchai School on the map, the Million Toy Museum is located at the intersection. The price is 50 baht per adult and 20 baht per child.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
It is a must for history buffs and admirers of archeology.
This park includes the UNESCO World Heritage area and includes 67 beautiful temples and ruins.
The immense territory includes the old Siamese capital, with imposing Buddha statues in a serene and striking landscape of blue sky and greenery.
A visit here is an unbeatable way to discover the beauty of what was the center of Siamese power and commerce.
4. Visit Wat Panan Choeng (Golden Buddha)
It is a Buddhist temple located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. Crossing the stairs, it is easy for visitors to be overwhelmed by the gigantic figure of gold Buddha posed majestically above the site.
Beautiful Golden Buddha in Wat Panan Choeng
It is 19 meters high and 14 meters wide and is universally revered in the region as a sacred figure of sailors.
The effigy is one of the oldest, largest, and most revered statues in Thailand. Legends claim that she cried to tears when Burmese burned Ayutthaya in 1767.
This temple is still widely used for religious ceremonies. dress appropriately according to Buddhist custom.
Best Food to Try for 1 or 2 Days in Ayutthaya
1. Som Tam
It is a green papaya salad very well known in Thailand. Som tam thai means salad made in central Thailand.
A non-spicy green papaya salad is also available. It is softer and contains crushed peanuts and is less likely to contain padek or crab in brine.
Some variants use green mangoes, apples, cucumbers, carrots, green bananas, banana flowers, santol, pomelo, mortadella mu yo, and other firm vegetables or not yet ripe. It is also possible to use rice vermicelli; this salad is called tam sua.
2. Boat noodles in Ayutthaya
Kuay Tiao Reua or Boat Noodles is one of Ayutthaya’s specialties. These noodles were sold by vendors in wooden boats on canals and rivers at the very beginning.
Today, most boat noodles are sold in a roadside store. A bowl of classic noodles includes rice noodles, pork liver, pork blood curd, roast pork, pork meatballs, crisp fried pork skin, and dark brown soup.
Boat noodles are normally served in a small bowl and you can choose the ingredients to suit your tastes. The noodles had a very nice soft texture, the pork was very tender and fresh and the dark brown soup was rich and tasty. This is an ideal dish for a quick slurp.
3. Roti Sai Mai
It is a specialty of Ayutthaya and one of the favorite snacks of Thais. This is a kind of round and thin crepe that wraps around colorful cotton candy.
Considered an adaptation of an Indo-Muslim sweet recipe, candy is usually sold by Muslim Thai sellers. There is a large Muslim community in Ayutthaya, so this is the best place to find a Roti Sai Mai!
4. Tom kha kai
Tom kha kai
It is a soup of galanga chicken and coconut milk that is one of the soups that could also be considered as herbal remedies.
This dish uses mainly galangal, a plant of the ginger family with a finer and slightly lemony taste.
5. Khao Tom
It is a delicious traditional Thai dessert made from glutinous rice, banana, coconut milk, all wrapped in a banana leaf. You can find this dish in most markets in Thailand.
Traditionally, these sweets are offered to monks at the beginning of Buddhist Lent which marks the beginning of the rainy season, it is also an offering during a religious ceremony.
Some Travel Tips for 1 or 2 Days in Ayutthaya
1. Ayutthaya will be hot and humid all year round. The best time to visit, as in most of this part of Thailand, will be between November and January, where it may be a little cooler.
2. At each visit, be sure to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. It’s hot outside!
3. As most tourists come here for the day, the temples are the busiest from 10 am to 4 pm. Outside these times, they are very calm.
4. It is always easier if you are traveling with a local guide or if you are going on an excursion that covers these destinations. With local English-speaking tour guides, transportation, entrance fees, and lunch are covered by the cost of the tour; Paradise Travel us guarantee you an unforgettable experience. Book now <here>!
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