HALF-DAY : Ayutthaya-Ancient Capital of Thailand
07:30 hrs
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 1991.
09:00 hrs
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.
11:00 hrs
Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkon. A large working wat, with ruins that appear on some of the well known photos of temples in Thailand. It features a large reclining Buddha in saffron robes in its own ruined wiharn, and, most spectacularly, a huge chedi swathed in golden cloth set in a courtyard which is lined by Buddha images all wearing saffron robes. Very photogenic.
11:30 hrs
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.
12:00 hrs
Transfer to visit Wat Mahathat is located in front of the Grand Palace to the east, next to Pa Than Bridge. The temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Its central prang, of which only the base remains, once rose to a height of 165 feet. Traces of the original stucco decorations can still be seen on some of the surrounding chedis.
12:30 hrs
Lunch will be provided at riverside restaurant.
14:00 hrs
Leave from Ayutthaya pass green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok.