If you have your day off in Bangkok, why not use it to visit the former capital of Thailand?
It is a wonderful tour into the pass by visiting Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya until the city was completely destroyed.
Visiting Ayutthaya in a day tour you should start by visiting the Wat Phanan Choeng one of the oldest temples in Thailand.
Wat Phanan Choeng is famous for its enormous seated Buddha image, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country. According to legend tears shed from the eyes of the image just before the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese in 1767.
The temple is located on the banks of the Pa Sak river opposite the South East tip of the historical island.
The temple’s main attraction is its huge 19 meters tall Buddha image. The brick and mortar image named Phra Chao Phanan Choeng is seated in the posture of subduing Mara, otherwise known as Calling the Earth to witness.
After that, take the time to visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet Temple that was the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace. This monastery was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Grand Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Upon finalization of the palace in 1351, the King established Ayutthaya as his capital and was bestowed the title of King Ramathibodi I. The original size of the old palace compound is believed to be the same as the area of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet today.
Nowadays very well known is the Wat Mahathat Wat Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relics) is located almost right in the centre of Ayutthaya. Apart from being the symbolic centre where the Buddha's relics were enshrined, Wat Mahathat was also the residence of the Supreme Patriarch or leader of the Thai Buddhist monks. Also, the house of the famous Buddha's head, embedded into a tree trunk.
This and much more are the magical places that you can discover when spending one day tour in Ayutthaya. Make sure to visit them if you have the time.
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