Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, The Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbors. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 Kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Ayutthaya is 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo – China’s most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya a Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage since 13 December ,1991. Ayutthaya covers 2,556 square kilometers, and is administratively divided into 16 districts (Amphoes). It is conveniently accessible due to good roads and a short distance from Bangkok
Bang Pa-In is a small town, 58 km (36 miles) north of Bangkok by rail, 61 km (38 miles) by road. The place is famous for its Royal Palace compound, typically visited on tours from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. The palace, surrounded by a lake 400 m (1312 ft) long and 40 m (131 ft) wide, and the Wat Chumphon Nikayaram, were originally built by King Prasattong (reigned 1630-1655). Bang Pa-In was used as a country residence by every Ayutthaya monarch after King Prasattong, but when the new capital was established in Bangkok, Bang Pa-In was left unoccupied for 80 years. It was only during King Mongkut’s reign (1851-1868) that Bang Pa-In regained importance as a Royal residence. King Mongkut stayed there and had a new palace built.His son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, reigned 1868-1910) liked the place, stayed there every year and constructed the Royal Palace as it is seen today.
Fast Facts
| Tour Departure |
Daily from Bangkok Hotels |
| Duration (approximate) |
08:30-16:00 hrs |
| Transfer from/to hotel included |
Yes |
| Meals included |
Yes |
| Tour Type |
Private |
| Language |
English |
Itinerary
| 08:30 |
Meeting at Hotel lobby. |
| 10:00 |
Visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the Palace was destroyed with the fall of Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date from the reign of King Rama V, who regularly spent his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways. The only royal residence open to the public is the Chinese-style Wehat Chamroon Palace, constructed entirely of materials imported from China.In addition, there is an Italian-style palace, a circular pavilion with steps leading down to a pool, the graceful Thai-style Aisawan Tippaya Asna Pavilion in the middle of a lake, and, across one of the waterways, a Buddhist chapel in the neo-Gothic style with stained- glass windows. Scattered around the extensive gardens are European statues as well as monuments ordered to be built by King Rama V in memory of members of his family, one of them a much-loved Queen who drowned in a boating accident. |
| 11:30 |
Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, one can see the large pagodas, built to celebrate the victory of his single-handed combat on the elephant’s back during Ayutthaya capital. |
| 12:00 |
Lunch is provided at the restaurant. |
| 13:00 |
Visit Wat Maha That – the Heart and Soul of City From Artifacts and the style of the Pagoda, we believe that Wat Maha That was built before the Ayutthaya Period or around the 14th Century. One of the images which were excavated by the Fine Art Department was a Buddha Image in the Sitting Attitude (sitting with drop down legs). This image belonged to the Lopburi Period. The Pagodas are from the Bayon Style or Bayon Period (compared to Khmer culture) which are built with laterite. |
| 14:00 |
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. |
| 14:30 |
Departure from Ayutthaya. |
| 16:00 |
Arrive at the hotel. |
| Private |
1 pax |
2 pax |
3-4 pax |
5-8 pax |
Join |
| Prices |
5200 |
3400 |
2600 |
2300 |
NO |
