Discover Ayutthaya Trip 2026

For over 400 years, Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Siamese kingdom and was considered one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world in the 17th century, before it was destroyed by a Burmese army in 1767.

The impressive ruins of numerous red-brick temples and palace complexes were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and still testify today to the former architectural splendor of the Siamese royal capital.

At Wat Mahathat temple, a severed stone Buddha head became entangled in the roots of a fig tree over the centuries and, together with the tree, has become one of Thailand's most photographed and mystical sights.

Since the historic old town lies on an island enclosed by three rivers, boat tours around Ayutthaya offer a unique view of the temple ruins as well as the traditional river life of the region.

From Bangkok, Ayutthaya can be reached by train or bus in about an hour and a half, making the city a popular day-trip destination from the capital.

For over 400 years, Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Siamese kingdom and was considered one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world in the 17th century, before it was destroyed by a Burmese army in 1767.

The impressive ruins of numerous red-brick temples and palace complexes were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and still testify today to the former architectural splendor of the Siamese royal capital.

At Wat Mahathat temple, a severed stone Buddha head became entangled in the roots of a fig tree over the centuries and, together with the tree, has become one of Thailand's most photographed and mystical sights.