| 08:00 hrs |
Meet your
English-speaking guide in the hotel's lobby. |
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Depart for Ayutthaya, located 76 kms. north
of Bangkok. It was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities and is one of Thailand's
major historical attractions. The grandeur of Ayutthaya is reflected by numerous
magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded
by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers. The area, well conserved as a
historical park, has been included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage since 13
December 1991. Ayutthaya covers an area of 2,556 square kilometres. |
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Visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace was first
used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the
Palace was destroyed with the fall of Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored by
King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date
from the reign of King Rama V, who regularly spent his summers there. The structures
represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park around ponds
and waterways. The only royal residence open to the public is the Chiness-style
Wehat Chamroon Palace, constructed entirely of materials imported from China.
In addition, there is an Italian-style palace, a circular pavilion with steps
leading down to a pool, the graceful Thai-style Aisawan Tippaya Asna Pavilion
in the middle of a lake, and, across one of the waterways, a Buddhist chapel in
the neo-Gothic style with stained-glass windows. Scattered around the extensive
gardens are European statues as well as monuments ordered to be built by King
Rama V in memory of members of his family, one of them a much-loved Queen who
drowned in a boating accident. |
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| 10:30 hrs | Continue
to Wat Phananchoeng. This monastery is the most revered by the inhabitants
of Ayutthaya, was built in A.D. 1325. |
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| | Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkhon,
one can see the large pagodas, built to celebrate the victory of his single-handed
combat on the elephant's back during Ayutthaya capital. |
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| 12:45 hrs | Lunch will be provide at riverside
restaurant. |
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Visit Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. Phra Mongkhon
Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open
area outside the Grand Palace and later covered by a building in the reign of
king Songtham. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building was badly destroyed
by fire. The one currently seen was reconstructed, but does not have as beautiful
craftmanship as the previous one. The open area east of the sanctuary was where
the royal cremation ceremonies took place. |
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| | Visit Wat
Phra Si Sanphet. This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace
compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok
has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the
15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings. |
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| 15:00 hrs | Leave form Ayutthaya pass green
paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to bangkok. |
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| 16:00 hrs | Arrive
your hotel. |
Easy 
Moderate 
