Step into the lost kingdom of Ayutthaya, where towering temple ruins and timeless Buddha images reveal the grandeur of ancient Siam.
Set off on a fascinating journey to Ayutthaya Historical Park and explore ancient Buddha images, towering prangs, and some of Thailand’s most iconic temple ruins. This full-day tour takes you back in time to the former capital of Siam, once celebrated for its wealth, grandeur, and international influence.
Founded in 1350, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya flourished for more than four centuries and grew into the heart of Siam (the former name of Thailand). The city welcomed merchants from across the world—Chinese, Indians, Japanese, and Persians, later followed by Portuguese, Spaniards, Dutch, British, and French—who established bustling settlements just beyond the city walls.
At its height, Ayutthaya boasted over a million inhabitants, and French envoys of King Louis XIV even compared its size and prosperity to Paris. The kingdom met a tragic end in 1767, when invading Burmese forces burned the city to the ground, forcing its people to flee.
Today, the atmospheric ruins of Ayutthaya still echo the grandeur of its golden age. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, the temples and monuments stand as a powerful reminder of a once-magnificent kingdom that shaped the history and culture of Thailand.
During this full-day excursion, you’ll visit the following highlights:
- Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
Located 20 km south of Ayutthaya, this elegant riverside retreat was used by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Its landscaped gardens and eclectic mix of European and Oriental architecture reflect the king’s fascination with Western styles.
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
A striking temple just outside the historical center, known for its 60-meter-high bell-shaped chedi and serene Reclining Buddha.
- Wat Mahathat
One of the most important temples of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It's famous for the iconic Buddha head entwined in the roots of a Banyan tree; one of the most photographed sights in the city.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
This royal temple once formed part of the ancient Grand Palace complex and hosted some of Ayutthaya’s most important royal ceremonies.
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Located next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, this temple houses one of Thailand’s largest bronze Buddha statues, beautifully gilded and deeply revered.
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Often considered one of the most impressive temple ruins in Ayutthaya. Its design is inspired by Khmer architecture, symbolizing the structure of the universe in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology.
After a full day of exploration and cultural discovery, we make our way back to Bangkok, filled with new impressions and a deeper understanding of Thailand’s rich heritage.
Important notes:
- There is a strict dress code to enter Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Shoulders and ankles need to be covered. No sleeveless shirts, shorts, ripped jeans, tight trousers, leggings, slippers, sandals, or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in.
- Entrance fees (THB 360 per person) are not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Pick up/Meeting point:
We provide hotel pick-up only from accommodations located on/near Khao San Road and on Siam Square.
If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up area, the designated meeting point will be our office on Chao Khamrop Road in Chinatown. Our office in Chinatown is just a short 5-minute walk from Wat Mangkon MRT (metro) station.
For the exact location of our WanderSiam office on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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190 Comments
5
An Educational and Fun Tour with Accomodating Staff
If you are interested in learning about Thailand’s history and culture, this tour is just for you! I had an amazing experience with a tour guide nicknamed Coconut. She was really sweet and helpful throughout the tour. She was also very humorous.
The temples and palace that we explored were breathtaking. Although they were temple ruins, they were certainly enjoyable to explore. The tour requires a lot of energy, however. If I’m not mistaken, we visited 4 temples and 1 palace. It was also extremely hot and humid, but it is expected as Thailand is a Southeast Asian country. Nevertheless they have a well cooled van which helps us rejuvenate between destinations.
So, if you are interested in this tour, make sure you are energised and ready with sunglasses and a cap. Don’t forget to bring a poncho just in case as it did rain around the end of the tour
Overall, I highly recommend this tour if you are looking for an educational and fun experience. I also really appreciate the warmth that we received from the Coconut and the driver! I would like to thank them a lot 🙂
5
Amazing full day trip to the beautiful prior capital of Thailand
This was an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in beautiful sites and the history of Siam/Thailand!
5
Great tour, recommended.
We had a great experience. Sunday is a very good and kind tour guide! The ride to and between the sights was comfortable. We would absolutely recommend this tour!
5
Highly informative & enjoyable day trip from Bangkok
Jin’s enthusiastic greeting at pickup from our front door set the tone for a wonderfully educational and fun day. Although we’ll have to review that which we learned about the Kingdom of Thailand’s history, we ended the day with a much better understanding of the country’s past and contemporary culture, a good introduction to Buddhism, and a sincere appreciation for Thai hospitality. Many thanks to our guide, Jin and driver, Mr. A. We highly recommend this tour to other travelers.
5
Amazing time travel to Ayutthaya
This short trip to Ayutthaya made my second visit to Bangkok even more memorable.
If you are interested in Thai culture and history, I strongly recommend the program.
Everything I experienced there was perfect.
Also, my guide Coconut was very kind, passionate and always willing to help me during the tour.
Even though I travelled alone, there was no difficulty at all thanks to her kind assistance.