The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart – Hellen Keller
Si Ayutthaya, was the Thai capital for 417 years before the invasion of the Burmese army which destroyed almost everything of the city. It is now protected and declared a UNESCO heritage site. Ayutthaya Historical Park is a must visit when in Bangkok. There are few ways to get here from the main city, Bangkok. You can either take a cab (will be expensive, but comfortable), hop onto a minivan/minibus (cheap, but not exactly safe or comfortable – you’re looking at about 60 Baht per person one way). The minibus can be taken from Victory Monument square, in Bangkok. If you want to take a train, you may start from Hua Lampong train station and make a stop at the Ayutthaya station. The journey would take approximately an hour (please give and take for delays) Once you’re at the station, you can walk straight out and come to a river where a ferry makes it way across. Hop onto it, to cross to the other side. Reaching the other side, you may rent a bike or even just walk, exploring the town, and the historical site.
I would highly recommend you rent a bike, it won’t cost a lot and it will be easier to get around. It is a small and quiet town, not too many busy cars so riding a bike around would not be too dangerous :) There is an entrance fee for each park or temple you visit. Look out for Wat Mahathat and head towards there. Inside, you can pay for a guided audio tour which we did and it was totally worth it! It is very informative and entertaining. Exploring the ruins of the old city, what was once used to be the greatest city on earth was somewhat exhilarating. The destruction from the Burma army did a significant damage (headless Buddhas and abandoned steps) but most of it is still visible enough to imagine what was it like once, a glorious city.
Walking around, guided by the tour can take you approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on how many photos you want to take. It is a beautiful ghostly city surrounded by aging bricks and stones. The Thai people are religious and respectful. It is disrespectful to use any Buddha statues as a backdrop for your pictures. So, please don’t! :) Walking around, you are bound to bump into the infamous sandstone Buddha head entangled by the Bodhi tree.
Also visit Wat Lokkayasutharam, for one of the largest reclining Buddha in Ayutthaya, located in the Pratoochai district. It is quite a distance from Wat Mathathat. But if you’re on a bicycle, then no worries! Ride away! On the way to Wat Lokkayasutharam from Wat Mathathat, you will pass by Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Make an effort to visit this place as well! The ruins are probably similar, but a lot of history are written on these ruin walls. This is one of the places to visit in Thailand to better grasp what Thailand was like before – its culture, its people and the history. There is just so much that can be felt through these walls. Truly an unforgettable experience. For more information on how to get around Thailand, here is a good site.
Eat, Sleep, Travel, Repeat 