Ayutthaya, the old capital
Eighty minutes north of Bangkok is a city that was larger than Paris in 1700, burned in 1767, and is now a park of brick ruins and headless Buddhas. We go by bicycle, early, before the coach convoys.
The route, and why a bicycle
The historical park is a grid of about 4 km with the ruins scattered across it. A car moves you between car parks; a bicycle moves you between the ruins themselves, along the canals, past the houses where people still live among the temples. We ride from Wat Mahathat to Wat Ratchaburana, then out to Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the river.
The famous Buddha head in the tree roots is at Wat Mahathat, and it is the most photographed object in the city. Go at 09:00 and there is a line of people waiting to kneel in front of it. Go at 08:30, which our timing allows, and there are three.
The heat problem
Ayutthaya has almost no shade between the monuments. We ride 08:30–11:30, have a long riverside lunch, then do one more site at 14:30 before driving back. People who try to see everything between 10:00 and 15:00 remember only the heat.
| Stop | Time | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Mahathat | 08:40 | Buddha head in the banyan roots |
| Wat Ratchaburana | 09:30 | Brick prang with a crypt |
| Wat Chaiwatthanaram | 14:30 | Riverside complex, best light |
| Return | 15:30 | Back in Bangkok by 17:00 |
Private car and guide, bicycle hire, all park entrance fees, riverside lunch, water. Not included: tips.
Before you book
Is it suitable for children?
From about eight, yes — the cycling is flat and short. Younger children do better in a car with short stops than on a bike.
Can we combine it with the floating market?
Yes, as a long day: market at 07:00, Ayutthaya by 10:00. It works but it is 13 hours.
What if it rains?
We switch to the car and cover three sites instead of five. Ayutthaya in rain is atmospheric and empty.
Check your date.
Tell us the day and how many of you — we confirm availability, the boat and the price.