Ayutthaya - Ayutthaya visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Ayutthaya' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Central Thailand.

From 1350 until 1767 Ayutthaya served as the capital city of Thailand. As such it gained a massive collection of temples and monasteries. It was said that the gleaming temples and gilded chedis of Ayutthaya could be seen for several miles. The main part of Ayutthaya was built on an island about 4km wide where the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pasak rivers converge. The island was surrounded by a 12km long wall interspersed with towers.

Unfortunately, this was not enough to prevent the city from falling to the Burmese army in 1767, bringing the rule of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya to an abrupt end. The Burmese ransacked the city and burned it to the ground destroying most of the temples and other important buildings at the same time. Countless artifacts and documents were lost in the sacking of Ayutthaya.

The Royal Family fled 80km south to Bangkok and soon established this as the new capital city of Thailand. Meanwhile, Ayutthaya was left to decay.

Ayutthaya Historic Sights and Attractions

• Ayutthaya Historical Study Center
• Chan Kasem Palace
• Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
• House of Khum Khun Phaen
• Royal Elephant Compound
• Monument of King Naresuan
• St. Joseph's Church
• Wang Luang
• Wat Chai Watthanaram
• Wat Lokaya Sutharam
• Wat Ket
• Wat Mahathat
• Wat Na Phra Men
• Wat Phanan Choeng
• Wat Phra Ram
• Wat Phra Si Sanphet
• Wat Phu Khao Thong
• Wat Phutthaisawan
• Wat Ratchaburana
• Wat Suwan Dararam
• Wat Thammikarat
• Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

Ayutthaya can easily be visited as a day trip from Bangkok, and this is what many tourist do. It takes about 2 hours to reach the city by train, and then cross the Pasak River on a ferry to the island. The eastern end of the island has built up again, laid out in a grid format, to become the modern city of Ayutthaya and capital of the Ayutthaya province.

It is a short walk through the town from the pier to the old city where you emerge onto acres of ruined temples. One of the best ways to get around the city quickly is to hire a bike, which is very cheap. Ayutthaya also has a number of hotels for those wishing to base themselves in this city for a couple of days. The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) has a large office in Ayutthaya with an exhibition about the city.

In December 1991, Ayutthaya and 'associated historic towns' in the Ayutthaya historical park were listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This may yet be the final nail in the coffin as flocks of tourists now trample among the ruined temples of Ayutthaya. Every year for a week in mid-December Ayutthaya holds a festival to celebrate this UNESCO listing featuring fireworks, historical plays, elephant fights and other events.