Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok
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34  ❯❯  Top 10 Bangkok Highlights

               Ayutthaya

     From the 14th century, Ayutthaya was the capital of an
     independent kingdom until the city was sacked by the Burmese
     in 1767. It was never restored as a capital city. Today, Ayutthaya
     is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its ruins give a
     sense of the city’s former size and glory as well as
     offering an insight into Thailand’s cultural heritage.
                         Wat
                      2
                         Thammikarat
                      One of the park’s most
                      atmos phe ric temples
                      has the ruins of an
                      octagonal chedi (stupa),
                      a wihan, and a fearsome
                      singha (see p15) (left).
                         Ayutthaya
                      3
                         Historical
                      Study Center
                      This center attempts to
         Wihan Phra
     1                depict the city’s history
         Mongkhon
                      and trading relations,
     Bophit           with models of ships,
     This wihan (assembly   houses, and other
     hall) was built in the   historical objects. It also
     1950s to shelter a very   houses a model of Wat
     large bronze Buddha   Phra Si Sanphet, a once
     image that dates back    great temple that has
     to the 15th century.  been reduced to ruins.
                                          Wat Phra
                                      4
                                          Mahathat
                                      An important temple              UTHONG
                                      during Ayutthaya’s              NARESUAN  CHEEKUN
                                      heyday, it remains one of         PATONE
                                      the most evocative of all            ROTCHANA
                                      the city’s sights (left), with   Chao    Phraya UTHONG  KHILONG T HO  K H I L O N G   T H O  SI SANPHET
                                      smaller prangs (towers)           Chao      Phraya
                                      leaning at precarious
                                      angles and a Buddha         U T H O N G
                                      head encased by the
                                      roots of a banyan tree.
      NEED TO KNOW    and 9am–5pm Sat–Sun;   ideal way to approach the
      MAP T1  •  53 miles    adm B100  historic city.
      (85 km) N of Bangkok   •  Most temples are open   •  The best way to get
      Chao Sam Phraya National  8am–6pm daily, and   around is by bike, though
      Museum: open 9am–4pm,   entrance usually costs B50  many opt for tuk tuks or an
      Wed–Sun; adm B150   (some temples are free).  air-conditioned minibus.
      Ayutthaya Historical    •  Some tour agencies   •  Malakor, in front of
      Study Center: open   include a boat trip either   Wat Ratchaburuna, serves
      9am–4:30pm Mon–Fri    to or from Ayutthaya, the   Thai and Western dishes.





     Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series  LAYERS PRINTED:
     Three-column, 8.25pt grid  “UK” LAYER
     (SourceReport v1.5)
 034-035_Top_10_Bangkok.indd   34                     15/06/2017   16:06
     Date 12th May 2015
     Size 100mm x 191mm
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