Prior to the foundation of the  Ayutthaya kingdom, Wat Phanan Choeng houses an immense image of a golden Buddha,  19 meters high, that dates from 1324.

The prayer ceremonies are particularly beautiful, and it is well worth waiting to witness a ritual where the believers chant prayers, as they clothe themselves with the robes of a statue.

This complex also includes a Chinese temple dedicated to the queen Ayodhya.

This was an area inhabited by Chinese merchants that made it an important commercial area.

Opening Hours: 08.0h às 17.00h

Entrance fee: 20 Bath

Location and how to get there: It is on the southwest bank of the Chao Phraya River. , at an exit of the highway 3477. To reach it, from the highway 309, turn left at the roundabout (with a tower), to the highway 3477.

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You can not miss this royal temple, particularly beautiful at the end of the day. Situated on the other side of the river and facing the city of Ayutthaya, it is one of the most elaborate representations of Mount Meru in Khmer architecture. The main tower symbolizes the center of the universe while the towers around represent the four continents, each containing two Buddha images inside.

Opening Hours: from 8.30h to 17.00h

Entrance Fee: 50 bath

Location and how to get there: From the U-Thong Road, cross the bridge on the western side of the island (road no. 3263), turn right at the first intersection and continue straight for 2 kilometers.

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Wat Na Phra Men was the only  temple that survived the fall of Ayutthaya, without suffering damage, as it was used as a military base of the Burmese army. In this temple you will find an beautiful image of Buddha that makes the visit worthwhile. In addition, this allows you to glimpse how the city would be, before its fall.

Opening Hours: 8 am to 6 pm

Entrance fee: 20 bath.

The “Portuguese Settlement” was probably the largest western settlement in Ayutthaya, with about 3000 people. Portugal was the first nation to settle in the city, around 1500, and the village had 3 Catholic churches, among them, the church of St. Joseph.

One hundred and twenty Portuguese soldiers served as the royal guard of King Chairacha and introduced the firearms into the army of the kingdom of Siam.

This Settlement disappeared when Ayutthaya fell, in 1767.

When visiting this place you will find the ruins of St. Peter’s Church, a monument with the remains of its inhabitants and see the Church of St. Joseph.

Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm.

Entry fee: Free.

Wat Mahathat, in Ayutthaya, is one of the places you have to visit . Today in ruins, it was built in the 14th century, even before Ayutthaya became the capital of the kingdom of Siam. It is believed to had been the spiritual center and stage of religious and non-religious ceremonies before they  started to take place at the Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple.

Here you can walk through a vast area with ruins and find the emblematic head of Buddha, wrapped in the roots of a tree. This figure is highly revered and any act that may be considered disrespectful could put you in trouble.

Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm (every day);

Entrance fee: 50 Bath;

Location and how to get there: Ayutthaya Historical Park. From Rojana Road, turn right onto Chikun Road and continue straight on until Naresuan Road.

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