Explore Thailand’s 400-Year-Old Capital: The Ancient City of Ayutthaya and the Temple in the Tree at Wat Mahathat

▲ Ayutthaya is a city in Thailand with a rich historical heritage.

Reported and photographed by Yu Jiayun / HowToTrip

Many people’s impression of Thailand is often limited to its capital, Bangkok—urban skyscrapers, endless department stores, understated designer boutiques, and local delicacies everywhere. Today’s Bangkok has long shed the outdated image foreigners once had of Thailand, transforming into a thoroughly bustling metropolis. But you might not know that Thailand’s former capital was actually located in Ayutthaya, in the northern part of the country. After years of rise and fall, as well as wars, what remains here is a scene vastly different from Bangkok—scattered ruins, damaged historical sites, and undeveloped urban areas. But it is precisely because of this historical background that this once-glorious city exudes a unique charm and tranquility.

▲ The “Temple in the Tree” is located within Wat Mahathat.

Located about 76 kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is also situated in the Chao Phraya River basin. In the past, the city was surrounded by rivers, making it look like an isolated island from the air. During the Ayutthaya Kingdom period, the king built Wat Mahathat to defend against invasions by the Burmese, enshrining numerous statues of the Buddha. However, between 1765 and 1767, the temple was set on fire by enemies, and today only a few Buddha statues and ruins remain.

▲ The only relatively intact Buddha statue that remains.

Because the temple is surrounded by bodhi trees both inside and out, it is called the “Temple in the Tree.” The most unique feature of the temple is a Buddha head enveloped by the roots of a bodhi tree. This magical natural phenomenon attracts many visitors to come and worship. Walking through the Temple in the Tree, you’ll see red brick walls of varying heights, and the broken stupas make it hard to imagine the original appearance. Yet the expressions on the faces of the few Buddha statues that were not “decapitated” lend an air of serenity and peace to this weathered temple.

▲ The Buddha head enveloped by bodhi tree roots.

Not far from the Temple in the Tree lies Wat Lokayasutharam, which houses the largest reclining Buddha statue in the Ayutthaya region. This reclining Buddha is about 5 meters tall and 42 meters long, making it truly massive. Up close, it is a spectacular sight. In the past, the statue was covered in valuable gold leaf, but it was all stolen later. Now, a saffron robe has been placed over it. Though the exposed parts of the statue show signs of aging and wear from centuries of history, the serene expression on the Buddha’s face remains unchanged.

▲ %The majestic reclining Buddha and its surroundings.