Ayutthaya, Thailand

An old city since 400 years ago (1350 AD), Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam, and the home of 33 kings. Wealthy and powerful, merchants from all over the Europe and the Far East came here. During a brief Burmese invasion in 1767, the city was all-but destroyed and the new capital was established at Bangkok. The ancient city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a canal has been built to connect the three rivers that join where it stands, thus creating an island.

They’re many ruined temples scattered across the site, and there are others on the river’s edge too. The main temples can be visited on foot, but if you hire a bike you will be able to see much more of this extensive site. Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the largest temple in Ayutthaya, and also served as the palace. Built in the fourteenth century, it has three magnificent stupas. The adjoining Wat Mongkhon Bophit contains one of Thailand’s largest Buddha figures, which was cast in bronze in the fifteenth century.

Some of the temples are built in Khmer Style. Many are ruined but still magnificent, and there are a great many Buddha figures, including one in Wat Phra Meru from Sri Lanka that is said to be 1,300 years old. Sadly, many figures were damaged by the Burmese invaders, and more recently art thieves have stolen some of the heads. Nevertheless, this is a sacred site for Thais, who dress many of the Buddha figures in yellow robes, scatter flower petals and burn incense sticks reverently at their feet.