Ayutthaya was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1350 to 1767. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impressive ruins remain of what was once a stunning complex of palaces, shrines, stupas and monasteries.

Ayutthaya is encircled by a wide water canal formed by the confluence of three rivers, and the town’s historical highlights are usually classified as being ‘on’ or ‘off’ the island. Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the largest temple, known for its row of chedis (Thai-style stupas); Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah houses a large bronze cast Buddha; and Wat Phra Mahathat has one of Ayutthaya’s most visited images: the Buddha head embedded in twisted tree roots.