| 06:30 hrs | Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby. Depart for Ayutthaya, located 76 kms. north of Bangkok. |
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| 08:00 hrs | Arrive Ayutthaya Inner Island - Plan you cycle route with your guide at TAT Tourist Information Centre. Start the tour by visit Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, This museum is perfect for history buffs who admire fine arts and handicraft of the Ayutthaya period. Housed in the museum are various original antiques, mostly made of gold and decorated with precious jewels. In addition, there are various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels. Of note is a receptacle in the Thai Pavilion that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and other objects of art that are over 500 years old.
Start cycling to explore interesting places in Ayutthaya Historical Park, covers the ruins of the old city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, which was founded by King Ramathibodi I in 1350 and was the capital of the country until its destruction by the Burmese army in 1767. In 1969 the Fine Arts Department began with renovations of the ruins, which became more serious after it was declared a historical park in 1976. The park was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1981.
Pay homage to Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a gigantic bronze Buddha image sitting in a posture which indicates that the Lord is subduing demons (mara). The statue is 12.45 m tall and the lap size is 9.55 m (Buddha images are measured in terms of the size of the lap). ‘Phra Mongkhon Bophit’ is one of the largest Bhuddha images in Thailand.
Then visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. Continue to Ayutthaya Ancient Palace, was original built King U-Thong in the 14 th century, and was expanded over the years. These pavilions were completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundation, porticos and walls.
Continue to visit Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana. Wat Mahathat is located in front of the Grand Palace to the east, next to Pa Than Bridge. The temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Its central prang, of which only the base remains, once rose to a height of 165 feet. Traces of the original stucco decorations can still be seen on some of the surrounding chedis.
If you are not too tried, ride across the river north of the palace to visit Wat Na Phra Men, the temple has been restored a number of times but still has a finely proportioned ubosot and viharn. The Ubosot design is very old in the typical Thai style. The most interesting object is the principal Buddha image, which is fully decorated in regal attire. The most interesting fact attributed to the image is that it escaped destruction when the Burmese were burning everything down. It was from the grounds of this temple that the Burmese King Chao Along Phaya decided to fire a cannon at the Grand Palace.
Ride back to the island, return your Bike to the rental shops. |
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| 11:00 hrs | Across the Rivers by ‘car’ to the south of the Island then visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most imposing ancient Buddhist monasteries, was established by the command of King Prasatthong in 1630 A.D. It is believed that the Wat is located on the site of his former home. The reason for building this monastery was to make merit for his mother. Prince Damrong Rachanuphap noted that its architecture was similar to that of Angkor Wat and inferred that the wat might have been built to commemorate the king’s victory over Cambodia. |
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| 12:00 hrs | Feeding the food to elephant at Ayutthaya Elephant Camp before have lunch at local restaurant by the riverside. |
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| 13:00 hrs | Leave form Ayutthaya pass green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok. |
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