Explore the UNESCO-listed remains of Ayutthaya, the former royal capital of Siam. Walk among ancient temples, brick towers and palace ruins while learning how the city developed into a prosperous centre of religion, diplomacy and international trade. Rather than simply viewing old structures, your guide will help you understand how people lived here, how the kingdom gained its influence and what led to the city’s eventual fall.

See Ayutthaya’s most recognisable image: a serene Buddha head held naturally within the roots of a growing tree. Continue through the temple ruins to discover why Wat Mahathat once stood at the spiritual centre of the capital. Explore its weathered Buddha images, brick towers and monastery remains, with time to appreciate the details and take photographs without feeling rushed.

Explore one of Ayutthaya’s most impressive surviving temple towers and hear the dramatic royal story behind its construction. The temple was created following a struggle for succession between two royal brothers. Its tall Khmer-influenced prang, surviving decorative details and historic crypt reveal both the artistic skill and political tension of the 15th-century kingdom.

Walk through the former royal temple located within the grounds of Ayutthaya’s old palace. Its three elegant chedis are among the city’s most recognisable landmarks and were built to enshrine the ashes of Ayutthaya kings. The scale of the ruins offers a clear picture of the ceremonies, authority and grandeur that once surrounded the royal court.

Step inside this active sanctuary to see one of Thailand’s largest seated bronze Buddha images. After exploring Ayutthaya’s open-air ruins, the peaceful temple hall provides a different experience. It remains a living place of worship where visitors can respectfully observe local Buddhist traditions and enjoy a quiet moment before continuing the journey.

Travel into the quieter countryside of Ang Thong to visit a vast reclining Buddha resting beneath the open sky. The calm white Buddha image, surrounded by the remains of an ancient temple, creates one of the most atmospheric stops of the day. Walk around the statue, appreciate its impressive scale and enjoy a peaceful setting away from Ayutthaya’s busier attractions.

Stand at the feet of Thailand’s largest Buddha statue, the enormous golden Luang Pho Yai rising above the rice fields of Ang Thong. The statue’s scale is difficult to understand until you see visitors appearing tiny beside its hand. Take time to walk closer, appreciate the details and capture photographs at one of central Thailand’s most remarkable and lesser-visited landmarks.