Travel to Thailand tuk-tuk tour Ayutthaya 

Exploring the Temples of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Located just an hour's drive from Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province is a convenient destination for travelers looking to experience Thailand's rich cultural history. The province is home to a number of ancient temples, each with its own unique features and significance.

To see as many temples as possible, we decided to take a tuk-tuk tour, which included a fixed price for visiting 5 temples in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District. We began our journey by taking the train from Bang Sue Station to Ayutthaya Station, then crossing the Pridi Bridge by motorcycle to Wat Mahathat. From there, we hopped in a tuk-tuk and set off to explore the temples of Ayutthaya.

Our first stop was Wat Phra Mahathat, an important temple known for its large central chedi containing the ashes of many important monks. The temple also houses a number of ancient Buddha images and other religious objects. The highlight of our visit was seeing the famous Buddha head surrounded by tree roots, an image we had only previously seen in photographs. It was a perfect coincidence that we were able to take a photo with a monk at the temple, thanks to the staff's assistance.

Next, we visited Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a temple built in the 17th century by King Prasat Thong and known for its unique Khmer architecture. The temple is surrounded by a moat and is home to many smaller temples and shrines. Visitors can explore the grounds and see the many statues and carvings that decorate the walls and halls of the temple. For fans of Thai dramas, Wat Chaiwatthanaram also offers the opportunity to rent traditional Thai costumes and take pictures in the footsteps of famous characters.

Our third stop was the Golden Mountain Temple, a temple located on top of a mountain in Ayutthaya province. The temple offers panoramic views of the city and is a popular tourist destination due to its huge golden chedi that can be seen from afar. We took a walk up to the top to take in the beautiful views and snap some photos.

Next, we visited Wat Ratchaburana, one of the largest and oldest temples in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Built by King Borom Rachathirat 2 in 1967, this temple is famous for its history of being attacked by villains who illegally dug a dungeon inside the main pagoda in 1956 and stole a huge amount of wealth. The Fine Arts Department later restored and excavated the site, discovering many treasures and gold remnants. These treasures are now kept in the Ratchaburana Room at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. Visitors can explore the dungeon and see the treasures for themselves. The cloister of Wat Ratchaburana also has 3 large rooms arranged vertically downwards, with the lowest floor at ground level.

Our final stop was Wat Phanan Choeng, a temple known for its large Buddha image, which stands at over 20 meters tall and is one of the largest in Thailand. The temple is also home to several smaller temples and shrines and is a popular tourist destination. Wat Phananchoeng Pier is also nearby, an area where the Pa Sak River and the Chao Phraya River converge to form a single stream. During the flood season, the water flows turbulently and creates a beautiful natural spectacle.