10 Must-See Temples in Ayutthaya

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is one of the best-preserved ancient royal monasteries, situated just before the eastern entrance to the inner city. The temple is famous for its large reclining Buddha and a 62-metre inverted bell-shaped chedi (pagoda) built to commemorate King Naresuan’s victory over the Burmese.

Set on vast landscaped grounds, the temple was constructed during King U-Thong's reign (1350–1369) as a forest temple school. Surrounding the principal chedi are cloister walls lined with several Buddha images – a unique architectural feature of the Early Ayutthaya Period.

Wat Phra Mahathat was the royal ceremonial ground for both religious and non-religious affairs before King Trailoknat replaced it with Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Believed to be the spiritual centre of the Early Ayutthaya Period and built before Ayutthaya became the Siamese capital, the temple features a Khmer-style prang (now collapsed) that used to enshrine a miniature casket containing the Buddha’s relics (now on display at Chao Sam Phraya Museum).

Apart from the principal prang, Wat Phra Mahathat is the site of the lone Buddha's head entrapped by the roots of an overgrown banyan tree – today a popular icon of Ayutthaya. The head is closely guarded around the clock, and even the slightest gesture of disrespect (like taking photographs while standing over the Buddha’s head) will not be tolerated.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya served as the Royal Monastery from 1350 to 1448. The temple now occupies expansive grounds inside the walls of the now-collapsed Royal Palace. The 3 iconic chedis – housing the royal relics of 3 Ayutthaya Kings – are among the few structures left standing on the temple grounds, which is itself a must-see ruin site.

On what appears as empty space between the 3 chedis once stood 2 mandapas for storing Buddhist scriptures and religious relics. East of the chedis are the remains of the main chapel’s concrete columns. Continue walking towards the north and you will reach the entrance to the Royal Palace.

Wat Chai Wattanaram is set on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, facing the inner city of Ayutthaya. This royal temple boasts one of the most elaborate interpretations of the Mount Meru concept in ancient Khmer architecture, which influenced the architectural style of the Late Ayutthaya Period (1629–1767).

The principal prang, modelled after the Ancient Khmer prangs, symbolises the centre of the universe, while the surrounding chedis depict the 4 continents and the outer universe. Each corner chedi houses 2 huge Buddha images set inside a wooden frame. The surrounding galleries contain 8 smaller chedis and feature ornate relief patterns. The 4 sets of stairs that lead up the principal prang are very steep, so do exercise caution at all times.

Wat Phanan Choeng houses a revered Buddha image dating back to 1324 and an ornate Chinese shrine dedicated to an Ayodhya Queen. This area used to be occupied by Chinese merchants, who transformed it into a lively commercial area with goods from China, including gold, porcelain and Chinese silk.

Existing well before King U-Thong founded the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the temple contains a large bronze Buddha image – the oldest in Ayutthaya – built in 1325. Walk around the main chapel to the riverside and pay respect to the Queen at the Chinese shrine. It is widely believed that the queen will fulfil the wish of those in search of a soulmate.

Wat Lokayasutharam is found in the northwest of the island which represents the historical heart of Ayutthaya. The Phra Noon reclining Buddha is a statue without a temple, as the other structures have been all but flattened.

Constructed from bricks and cement and covered with a very large saffron-coloured robe, it has a rather more rugged appearance than its big brother in Bangkok. There is a miniature scale model in front of it, which is adorned with gold leaf applied by devotees.

Wat Ratchaburana is located just across the road from Wat Mahathat and stands out for its well-preserved prang. The rest of the temple is in significantly poorer repair, but remains an attractive destination for those looking for a little mystery in Ayutthaya.

According to legend, thieves once stole the treasures of Wat Ratchaburana – an action that was immediately followed by some rather unfortunate Karmic effects.

Wat Na Phra Men was the only temple left intact at the time Ayutthaya fell, as it was used as a military headquarters by the Burmese army. It houses a beautiful Buddha image inside, fully decorated in regal attire, which is the signature style of the Late Ayutthaya Period.

The main chapel of Wat Na Phra Men boasts an ornate hand-carved wooden gable and baluster windows, which is a unique architectural feature of the Middle Ayutthaya Period (1488–1629).

Wat Phutthaisawan’s principal prang is clearly visible across the river from the inner city area. Built during the reign of King U-Thong (1351–1369), the temple’s main highlights include rare murals painted in the Late Ayutthaya Period, a replica of the Buddha's footprint inside the prang and ruins of an old chapel that houses a reclining Buddha.

The mural paintings describe the close religious ties between Ayutthaya and Langka (today’s Pattani in Southern Thailand).

Wat Phu Khao Thong sits just to the northwest of the Historical Park, surrounded by rice paddies and a small lake. At 50 metres tall, the upper levels of the giant white chedi provide impressive views across the surrounding countryside.

The current building dates back to 1569, with some modifications incorporated over the centuries since. Nearby, you’ll find a statue of King Naresuan and a Buddha footprint from Saraburi. Being a little off the beaten track, this temple tends to be very quiet, especially compared to those around the centre of Ayutthaya.