Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In Summer Palace (AY4)

Description

• 07:30 Pickup from your hotel in Bangkok and travel to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. 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 (King Mongkut) in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date from the reign of King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) who regularly spent his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural styles set in a large park around ponds and waterways. Bang Pa-In Summer Palace is located 20 kilometers south of the city of Ayutthaya.
  Bang Pa-In Summer Palace is renowned for its eclectic mix of architectural styles blending traditional Thai, Chinese and European influences. The palace complex includes various buildings, pavilions with beautiful gardens and lakes.
• After Bang Pa-In Summer Palace you will travel to Wat Mahathat which is located next to Pa Than Bridge. This temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Wat Mahathat is located in the area of the Ayutthaya Historical Park and here you will find the remains of important old buildings such as pagodas, octagonal pagodas, a royal hall, small temples, murals under a Bodhi tree and the famous sand-stone Ayutthaya-style head of the Buddha image in a tree’s root.
• After Wat Mahathat you will travel to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon which is also known as ‘The Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory’. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is situated on the southeastern outskirts of the Ayutthaya Historical Park and was built in 1357 during the reign of King U-Thong (King Ramathibodi I) who was the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon was constructed to celebrate his victory in a battle that led to the establishment of the kingdom. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon features a large central prang (Khmer-style tower) that stands 62 meters high. The prang is adorned with beautiful stucco decorations and carvings reflecting the architectural style of the period. One of the temple’s main highlights is the large reclining Buddha statue located near the prang. This image is known as Phra Phuttha Chaiya Mongkol and is around 7 meters high and 40 meters long. It is one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Thailand and an important religious symbol for visitors and devotees.
• Lunch at local restaurant.
• After lunch you will travel to Wat Chaiwatthanaram which is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River to the west of Ayutthaya City. Wat Chaiwatthanaram was ordered to be built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother and features the architectural style influenced by the Angkor temples in Cambodia. A feature unique to Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a large, central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs which symbolize Mount Sumeru which is the god’s mountain according to Hindu belief.
• After Wat Chaiwatthanaram you will then travel to Wat Ratchaburana in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Wat Ratchaburana was constructed in the mid-14th century during the reign of King Borommarachathirat II and is famous for its prang (Khmer-style tower) which stands tall and can be seen from afar. The prang is adorned with intricate stucco designs and bas-reliefs showcasing the artistic craftsmanship of that era.
• 16:30 Return to your hotel.

** Guide times are approximate depending upon local traffic and weather conditions and can also be adjusted to suit your own personal requirements **

Tour includes

• Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• English speaking local tour guide
• All applicable entrance fees
• Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
• Wat Mahathat
• Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
• Lunch
• Wat Chaiwatthanaram
• Wat Ratchaburana
• Travel insurance