Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya

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Aug

32635 pts.

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2.7 / 5

Comments

Cool spot Aug, but a bit famous ;-/
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A little Angkor Wat located on the Chao Phraya river, outside Ayutthaya city centre.

My experience, Explo description:

The Wat was built by King Prasat Thong in 1630 and its architecture is similar to that of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

The temple was constructed as the first temple of his reign and as a memorial of his mother’s resident in that area. The temple’s name literally means the "Temple of long reign and glorious era".

It is composed by a main "Prang" (tower) which is 35m tall, (symbolising the Meru Mount), surrounded by a series of smaller Prangs situated alongside a gallery containing over 100 Buddha statues.

After the total destruction of the old capital by the Burmese in 1767, from which Wat Chai Watthanaram was not spared, the temple was deserted. Theft, sale of bricks from the ruins and the beheading of the Buddha statues were common.

Only in 1987 did the Thai Department of Fine Arts started restoring the site. In 1992 it was opened to the public.

This compound is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But however, the site is not crowded (at least when I did visit it !).

My personal recommendations:

This Wat is maybe the nicest in Ayutthaya. Located close to the Chao Phraya river, it is very peaceful, well conserved, with nice grass grounds were you can rest. I strongly advise you to visit this Wat, maybe my best visit in Ayutthaya !

How getting there:

The best way to visit Ayutthaya is to rent a motorbike ($10). You can also rent bicycles ($1), but as you will have to go on long distance, I do not advise you this solution, except if you just want to focus on Ayutthaya city centre (but then you will miss many nice visits around the city !).

By car or motorbike : from Ayutthaya, go West and cross the Chao Phraya on the 3263 road bridge. Then make a left to the south (just before the 3469).

A tip to eat:

A little shop at the entrance sells some food.

Useful information:

Open hours:

From 8am to 6pm.

Visit duration:

1h.

Entry fees:

$2.

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