Looking for the most Instagrammable locations around Bangkok? You ’ve come to the right place! Here’s our list of the top 6 photogenic spots in the city of Ayutthaya that are sure to give your Instagram feed an incredible aesthetic.
Ayutthaya is located 80 kilometers north of Bangkok and is relatively crowd-free, making your photography experience unique and hassle-free. Once an important center of global diplomacy and commerce, Ayutthaya is now an archaeological ruin that gives you the perfect opportunity to take those pictures that look like they came right out of a Thailand travel blog. (picture those FollowMeTo posts with insane outfits. Ever wonder how many stares they attract? Don’t worry, you’re spared those here thanks to the smaller footfalls). Ayutthaya is characterized by the remains of tall prangs (reliquary towers) and Buddhist monasteries of monumental proportions, both of which provide a glimpse of the city’s past size and splendor.
You can refer to the map of Ayutthaya city above to navigate your way
The characters of our story- Thailand’s royal family are as follows:
King Borromaracha I - The Man who Began (the construction of the Wat Mahathat (1))
Ramesuan- the Nephew that Never Disappoints (his elders by building monuments where they were cremated and completing unfinished business (aka the Wat Mahathat))
King Ramathibodi I- The Man who Moved the Capital (because he loved the palace he had built so much)
King Chairacha- The Chai Guy (because we find connections where we see them)
King Borommarachathirat II- The Man with the Insanely Long Name (and I-don't-know-why?)
1.Wat Mahathat
First off! We have the iconic face of a stone Buddha peeking out from among the roots at the base of a tree. The history of Wat Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relic) starts in 1374 when King Borommaracha I erected a temple in its present location. His nephew and successor Ramesuan expanded the initial site to build a great temple, while he was here as a monk between his throne offices. (Fun fact: The temple was initially named Phra Si Rattana Mahathat meaning the “Royal Gable of the Lion”. I know what you're thinking; the guy who translated these names is definitely British. “Royal gable.."*said in perfect Queen’s English*
2. Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace, constructed by King Ramathibodi I in his shiny new capital Ayutthaya in 1350. The splendor of the palace was known far and wide until the Burmese invasion in 1767 which brought the centuries-old Siamese kingdom to its knees as well as this beacon of its reign. On the bright side, however, the ruins have not only withstood the test of time but have also aged absolutely gracefully. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful and photogenic spot in Ayutthaya and is definitely one of the best photo spots in Thailand.
3.Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit is literally a two-minute walk from Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Built by King Chairacha in 1538, this temple has many visitors. Although it’s crowded, it’s definitely an Instagram-worthy location (I mean Paris is super crowded, did that stop Dymphe**?). The sloped brown roof shingles that give the structure a uniquely triangular look are lots of fun to play around with when framing your composition.
(Pro tip: Try and circle around the structure to get the best angle and capture this architectural beauty like never before.)
4. Wat Phra Ram
Next on the list, we have Wat Phra Ram. This monument was built in 1912 B.E by King Ramesuan on his father, King Ramathibodi I’s cremation site. In front of the temple, there is a large pond formerly named 'Nong Sono', now Bung Phra Ram (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha). This location is relatively less crowded than the others, making it an ideal spot for bringing out those Nataly Osmann* like outfits and taking pictures in peace without having to worry about judgemental crowds thronging together. Although, it should be noted that Thailand has relatively fewer judgy crowds as compared to the other places I’ve been to.
5. Wat Ratchaburana
Built by King Borommarachathirat II in 1424, Wat Ratchaburana was a renowned Buddhist temple at the height of its glory. This temple's main prang is one of the finest in the city. In 1957, the temple's crypt was looted and a large number of Buddha images and gold artifacts were stolen. (Yeah, I know, typical!) The thieves were eventually caught (yay!:)), but sadly only a few of the buried treasures were recovered. (:()
(Pro-tip: In the main entrance of the temple, there stand the remains of a magnificent doorway. Try framing the temple in this for a creative and aesthetic composition to adorn your Instagram feed)
BONUS: Yai Chai Mongkhon
This monastery was constructed by King Ramathibodi I in 1357 to accommodate the monks that were ordained by Phra Wanratana Mahathera Bureaun. This row of sitting Buddhas is an iconic image associated with Thailand and is the photography spot for those who want to brag about a trip to Thailand. Moreover, if you have friends on Instagram who are into Thai movies and series, they will be sure to recognize this place.
So there it is! My pick of 6 of the most Instragammable places near Bangkok, in Thailand. I hope you end up traveling to these beautiful places and if you do, please leave us a comment below. For more travel content that’s wholesome and aesthetic, find us on YouTube and Instagram as indi.origin! Hope to see you back soon and happy, informed traveling. :)
*Nataly Osmann, along with her husband Murad Osmann, is part of the FollowMeTo, a travel photography project on Instagram that travels to various locations around the world.
**Dymphe is the girl behind the popular Instagram travel handle called Dymabroad which often focuses on Paris for its aesthetic.
Photography is done in-house! Please be sure to ask for permission before sharing any of the work on indi.origin and give due credit!
That said, all of our historical data is sourced from Wikipedia and Ayutthaya-history.com. Email for any conflict or queries.
Comments