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Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, an ancient Thai kingdom that thrived from the mid-14th century to the late 18th century. Established in 1348 by King U Thong, also known as King Ramathibodi in 1351, Ayutthaya became a stronghold of Theravada Buddhism, leading to the construction of numerous Buddhist temples and architectural marvels throughout its four-century existence.
In 1767, when the Burmese invaded and occupied Ayutthaya, they nearly obliterated the city, destroying artistic architectural structures, burning libraries, and leaving the city in ruins, marking the end of its reign as the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Following the catastrophe, the Thai people established a new capital, which is present-day Bangkok.
Ayutthaya boasts a plethora of Buddhist architectural wonders and historical sites.
Ayutthaya, located about 80km north of Bangkok, is adorned with numerous ancient Buddhist architectural relics, making it an enticing destination for travelers who seek tranquility, serenity, and historical grandeur, contrasting sharply with the hustle and bustle of modern Bangkok.
Passionate about ancient ruins and historic temples, Lữ Phong was determined to visit Ayutthaya. During a trip to Bangkok with friends, Lữ Phong dedicated a day to explore the ancient Buddhist architectural remnants in the old capital of Ayutthaya.
From the Sukhumvit area in Bangkok, Lữ Phong took the Sukhumvit BTS Skytrain line from Asok station to Mochit station, then boarded a bus to Ayutthaya from Mochit bus terminal. There are frequent bus services to Ayutthaya from Mochit terminal until 6 PM daily, with ticket prices varying based on bus operators and vehicle types, averaging around 100,000 VND.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon
The main stupa of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon stands at a height of 62 meters.
The main tower of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon reaches a height of 62 meters.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon
In front of the main tower, two very large Buddha statues are placed.
The staircase leading up to this grand tower is very steep, posing a challenge for many to ascend. At the midway point of the tower – taller than the two Buddha statues at the front – there is a square platform surrounding the tower, from which one can walk around the tower and observe the surroundings. Encircling the monastery is a crumbling brick wall, though it has been partially restored; surrounding the main tower are many smaller brick towers, scattered across lush green lawns, many of which have been partially damaged.
The stairs up the tower are very steep.
Within the courtyard surrounding the tower, rows of venerable Buddha statues are meticulously arranged in straight lines. Adorned with golden silk robes, the statues bring vividness and sanctity to the site.
Many Buddha statues adorn the grounds of Wat Chaimongkhon.
The Ruins of Wat Mahathat
The Ruins of Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat suffered devastation during the war.
In 1911, Wat Mahathat was occupied and ravaged by Burmese military forces. The main temple nearly collapsed, other towers along with Buddha statues were smashed and burnt to ashes. Legend has it that during the destruction of Wat Mahathat in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, a Burmese soldier placed the head of a Buddha statue on a tree stump. Over time, the roots of the tree grew around the head, creating a remarkable image: a serene and compassionate Buddha face gently smiling, embraced by the colossal roots of the tree. This is a spot where almost all visitors to Wat Mahathat come to admire this famous Buddha face.
Tourists capturing moments beside the serene face of Buddha nestled within the tree's embrace.
Although the primary architectural structure at Wat Mahathat, the towering prang, has been ravaged, numerous red brick stupas within the compound still stand resilient to this day, despite some being tilted, damaged, or partially collapsed.
Many architectural marvels are undergoing preservation at Wat Mahathat.
Exploring Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Exploring the Majestic Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Giant tombs of three Ayutthaya kings stand tall at Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Despite facing invasions and devastation by the Burmese, Wat Phra Si Sanphet miraculously preserves significant architectural wonders. Among them, the most renowned and vital are three grand tombs, styled after Sri Lankan architecture, housing the remains of three kings from the Suphannaphum dynasty (the second dynasty of the Ayutthaya kingdom).
Captivating remnants of the former Ayutthaya Royal Palace.
In the evening sunlight, three majestic towers with towering spires pierce the blue sky, standing out against a desolate courtyard strewn with scattered ruins, presenting a simultaneously grand and poignant scene. Travelers marvel at the intricate architectural feats of the ancients as they diligently explore and photograph the relics.
The magnificent tomb towers, constructed in the mid-15th century, stand as testaments to ancient craftsmanship.
Exploring the wonders of Wat Phu Khao Thong.
Discovering Wat Phu Khao Thong's Splendor
The statue of King Ramesuan stands proudly in front of Wat Phu Khao Thong.
This temple, situated on the outskirts, receives fewer visitors. According to temple guides, Wat Phu Khao Thong was originally constructed by King Ramesuan in 1387 upon his victory. In 1569, King Hongsawadi of Burma, after conquering Ayutthaya, erected a large pagoda in Burmese architectural style to commemorate his triumph.
Subsequently, in the mid-17th century, King Boromarathachirat III (reigned from 1733 – 1758) reconstructed a new tower in Thai architectural style atop the old tower's square base. A steep staircase leads visitors to a terrace at the tower's midsection (similar to Wat Yai Chaimongkhon), offering panoramic views of the suburban landscape of Ayutthaya.
Wat Phu Khao Thong stands tall and prominent against the evening sky.
Occasionally, in the cool shade by the tower's corner, Lữ Phong catches sight of a monk meditating beside a Buddhist scripture, while elsewhere, a local vendor selling souvenirs takes advantage of free time to immerse in reading.
A souvenir vendor seizes the moment to read a book at Wat Phu Khao Thong.
Exploring the beauty of Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
Unveiling the Majesty of Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a sprawling brick temple complex in Khmer style, featuring a central large tower surrounded by 8 smaller towers and numerous Buddha statues placed along the corridors between the towers. While almost all of the Buddha statues were damaged by the Burmese during their siege of Ayutthaya in 1767, overall Wat Chaiwatthanaram is considered the most intact and beautiful brick temple in Ayutthaya.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram – the most intact and beautiful temple in Ayutthaya.
Lữ Phong feels immensely regretful, as Wat Chaiwatthanaram is an excellent spot to admire the sunset over the Chao Phraya River, but he lacks the time to do so. He even lacks the time to thoroughly explore and photograph this magnificent and grand temple complex, as he must hurry back to Bangkok to catch the last buses of the day.
Author: Ngô Hoà Nam
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