During my first full-day in Thailand, I embarked on an exciting day trip that took me away from the fast pace of Bangkok to a quieter, more open space. I had the chance to walk through the remains of one of Southeast Asia’s most important historical cities: Ayutthaya.

Once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and thrived for over 400 years. It became a major international trading hub and a cultural center, known for its impressive architecture and dozens of Buddhist temples. In 1767, the city was destroyed during a Burmese invasion, and much of it was left in ruins. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an incredible place to explore Thailand’s past.

The historical sites were quite spread out, and I was happy to paid a little extra for access to an air-conditioned van for the day. I visited five different temples in the area, but a few stood out:

Wat Mahathat is one of the most well-known spots, especially for the Buddha head that’s partially encased in the roots of a tree. It’s become a symbol of Ayutthaya and was pretty cool to see in person. The temple itself is mostly in ruins, but it gave me a good sense of the scale and layout of these ancient sites.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, once part of the royal palace complex, has three large stupas that are still mostly intact. It was easy to imagine how impressive this would have looked during Ayutthaya’s peak. Next, I ventured to Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the best-preserved temples, in my opinion.

Most of the sites have Buddha statues with missing heads or limbs due to looting or simply the passage of time. Overall atmosphere is calm and respectful – there’s a sense of quiet dignity to this ancient city.

The day went by quickly, despite the oppressive heat. I meandered and explored, getting lost amongst the stories told by architecture unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for something different, I highly recommend visiting Ayutthaya. It offers a meaningful and memorable way to connect with Thailand’s past.