Ayutthaya Historical Park lies in the town of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, in Thailand, and it is the ruined heart of what was once the Siamese capital. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a visit here is mainly a walk among the remains of temples, palaces and statues that were built between the 14th and 18th centuries.
What you will see
The park holds a wide spread of archaeological remains. Many of the temples survive only as ruins of brick and stone, while some Buddha statues still sit in place among them. Together the remains cover more than four centuries of history, so the site rewards a slow pace and a little curiosity about how a city of this era was laid out.
- Temple ruins from across the period of the old capital
- Buddha statues, some still standing in their original settings
- Palace remains and other archaeological traces of the former city
Why the ruins matter
The capital was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767, and the ruins that remain are a record of that loss. Walking through them gives a clear sense of the scale of the city that once stood here, and of the events that ended it.
Planning a visit
The park is in Pratuchai, within Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, and the postal address is Ayutthaya 13000. Because the site is spread out, comfortable shoes and time to move between sections are sensible. For current details on visiting, you can call the site on +66 35 246 123.
