Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya is an ancient capital and modern city in the Central Plains of Thailand, 85 km north of Bangkok. It boasts numerous magnificent ruins, indicating that Ayutthaya was one of Southeast Asia's (and probably the world's) most prosperous cities in the 17th Century and beyond. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 13, 1991.

Wat Phra Mahathat is a large temple that was quite thoroughly ransacked by the Burmese and the rows of headless Buddha statues is atmospheric. It is also where you can spot the famous tree that has grown around a Buddha head. A highlight for me was Wat Lokayasutharam's giant reclining Buddha. This Buddha is fondly referred to by locals as Phra Bhuddhasaiyart. The Buddha measures a total of thirty seven meters long and a total of eight meters high.

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