The trip to Ayutthaya was rather strange. Of the brightest of memories – how I was lying in a hot, stuffy gueste in half-forgotten, but by no means temples. But I managed to see them too. the famous head of the Buddha too, so no regrets, the place interesting. However, first things first.
After enjoying a week in Chiang Mai, I decided to go to Bangkok Ayuthaya All transport still goes through it. Bought a ticket Chiang Mai – Bangkok by night bus, explained to the driver that I need not the end point, and Ayutthaya and hit the road.
The content of the article
- 1 From the road to Ayutthaya
- 2 Ayutthaya – the ancient capital of Siam
- 3 Ayuthaya on the map of Thailand
Contents
From highway to Ayutthaya
Early in the morning I was still darkened right on the track, and not at bus station. The navigator suggested that it’s about 5 from here kilometers At the landing site were motosai and taxis. Taxi wanted 200 baht, although there is something nonsense to go there, and the price for a motorcycle is itself I did not know where I was going with my hiking backpack. Turning on pedestrian bridge on the other side (again, glanced at the navigator, that you need to cross the road), asked the Thai how to get there. is he replied that the 7% baht songteo runs from here. Literally 10 minutes I was driving in a minibus. Not a sickly difference, 7 baht or 200?
Songteo brought me straight to the bass station, it’s convenient to settle here: minivans in Bangkok go every hour, there are bike rentals for 200-250 baht, a few guesthouses to choose from, the market, and up to The ancient capital is very close. Therefore, I did not even choose any a specific place or area, and immediately found a guest and settled. About budget hotels in Ayutthaya, read the link. Full list of hotels in Ayutthaya can be seen on RoomGuru search service, and there to book. In the season it is better to do it in advance, and then you never know there will be no numbers, I almost got it, took the last one and waited for a long time until released.
Ayutthaya – the ancient capital of Siam
Once upon a time, from the 14th to the 18th century, Ayutthaya was the capital. They say it was a big beautiful city with a million people, but then civil war broke out and the Burmese captured, burned and destroyed After that, the capital was moved to Bangkok. Now Ayuthaya – This is a small provincial town with a bunch of ruins, which in 1991 were added to the UNESCO list.
Personally, I like Sukhothai more, because it is more soulful, more abandoned and mysterious than Ayuthaya, so I usually all I advise you to go there. On the other hand in Ayutthaya can to arrive all on one day, for Bangkok is very close (as from Bangkok to Ayutthaya), only 60 km.
Despite the crowds of tourists, it’s not so bad to wander around, Sit to think, and enjoy the views of the ancient ruins. The territory of the ancient capital is large, there is where to hide from the eyes, it’s enough just to get away from the main temples, and then there is no one will be.
In total, I looked at 4 temples, although I was circled on the map in the guesthouse 5 pieces of must see. But there are many more temples here, dozens, if not hundreds. Just many of them are a bunch of stones or similar to each other, so do not cause any interest. But this does not mean that nothing else to watch is not necessary. Entrance fee (50 baht) only in the main temples, the rest are free.
Each temple has its own territory, and these territories sometimes adjacent to each other, and sometimes not. Between these territories moving on asphalt roads, for example, on a rented a scooter (200-300 baht / day) or a bicycle (40 baht / day), but on the very territory can only be on foot. The temples are separated by ponds, bridges, paths, beautiful. It is only necessary to remember that in strong heat (and there very hot, as a rule), you don’t hurt a lot on a bicycle, me and the bike was sometimes hot. All the more, that bicycles there so myself, the usual urban.
Ayuthaya is surrounded by rivers
Ponds-channels dividing temples
Life of ordinary people
You can wash the wheels in the nearest canal.
Ayuttai Monster Bus
Ayutthai tuk-tuki not like the others
Something is not Thai, but did not come closer
Moving on a bike
Wat mahathat
One of the most popular temples, for everyone comes to see Buddha’s head covered by the roots of a tree that has become a symbol Ayutthaya As I understand it, when the temple was destroyed by the Burmese, the statues were smashed and tumbled into the ground. And since the temple stood about 100 years abandoned, trees grew there, and one of them pulled its head out of its roots. In addition to the head, there is only ruins, little has survived.
Entrance is 50 baht.
Buddha among the ruin and trees
The famous head of the Buddha in the roots of a tree
There are usually many more people here.
Headless Buddhas Exhibition
The wall is about to fall, held by a support
One of the many groups
Wat Mahathat
Almost a chameleon, barely noticed
Thai still life
Wat ratchaburana
On Google maps, it is designated as Wat Rat Praditthan, but this mistake. He remembered to me that it was possible to go inside into prang. Usually they are either closed or there are no voids. In Wat ratchaburana there is a small hall inside from which steep narrow stairs. I, of course, went down, but there is a dead end.
Entrance is 50 baht.
Wat Ratchaburana
Happy all so sleepy-good, and at night cruel boys
Designer – Gather a Buddha
Why not rest, work is not a wolf
Corn on approach
Wat Ratchaburana in the woods
Inside the hall is illuminated
View of Ayutthaya
And down the dark corridor, the photo is lightened.
But at its end is a dead end and a light bulb.
Sometimes the roads turn into beautiful alleys.
Wat phra si sanphet
The largest temple in Ayutthaya and most people here. Known for its three chedi, standing in a row. They were strong destroyed, and now we see them restored. Around is full formless ruins, you can imagine how it all looked not so long ago.
Entrance is 50 baht.
Modern Viharn near Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Thai squirrels eat rice too
Wat Phra Si Sanphet – old stupas
Except for stupas, everything else is ruins.
Big massive ones
Then you and pokatushki elephants offered
Wat lokkayasutharam
All that remains of this temple is the statue of the Reclining Buddha. There is nothing more, no stupas, no other buildings. Well, more precisely for the statue is a brick and “corn” small, but it is not into account. I noticed how Thais do business here – sell flowers lotus flowers, and as soon as the worshiper leaves, take flowers back to his stall.
Free admission.
Near the Reclining Buddha
Wat Lokkayasutharam – Reclining Buddha
Business in Thai – carries the lotuses back on the counter
Traditional trash
Initially, I came here to see live on the famous head Buddha strung with roots. Her picture is something sunk into the soul. And in In principle, apart from the temples described above, there can be nothing more watch. So for all about everything you just have enough of one day. BUT if you use a transport, you can still have more time. WITH On the other hand, why the extra haste, you can all stretch on a few days, penetrating the place.
I, unfortunately, had no choice. I came here already sick, and on the first day, when on the way to the next temple I realized that the world was swimming before his eyes, then immediately retired to Guesthouse, where he spent the next two days, almost without getting up. Only went for water. By the way, once again checked that hunger + water + lime + ginger, pretty quickly put on his feet, much faster than drinking medicine.
Ayuthaya on Thailand map
Ayutthaya map with all the temples (on a large click)
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