Bangkok and Ayutthaya Highlights: Temples, Markets, and Royal Palaces Tour

The dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Bangkok. It’s one must-see sight that no visit to the city would be complete without. It was built in 1782 and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government.

Wat Phra Kaew (known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or locally as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. Located in the historic centre of Bangkok and within the grounds of the Grand Palace, the temple enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade.

Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is a landmark temple on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya river. It’s easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok, not only because of its riverside location but also because the design is very different from the other temples you can visit in Bangkok. Wat Arun (nicknamed the Temple of the Dawn) is partly made up of colourfully decorated spires and stands majestically over the water.

Bangkok Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talad) is the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok. The market has all kinds of popular flowers and flora-related items, including roses, forget-me-nots, orchids, lilies and more. Most of them are sold in packs of 50 or 100 flowers in each, and prices are amazingly cheap.

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The second day will visit Maeklong Railway Market probably the most unique market in Thailand. Imagine a train going straight through a public market! In Thai the market is known as “Talad Rom Hub”, which means ‘folding umbrella market’. Shops shaded by umbrellas or awnings line the narrow track on both sides. When a train approaches and the driver blows the horn, chaos happens: vendors rush to close their umbrellas and awnings, along with clearing all goods that will obstruct the coming train. Once the train passed, everything is put back in place and it’s business as usual.

hen it’s time to continue to Damnoen Saduak, the popular floating market selling colorful handicrafts and fresh produce. Here you have the possibility to make an unforgettable 1-hour long-tail boat ride through the canals in the countryside and experience the lifestyle of locals who live and work on these interconnected waterways.

Lunch at a local restaurant before we drive to Wat Bang Kung. This temple dates from the Ayutthaya period and, aside from the Buddha image it houses, is quite simple in design. However, it is famous for the small chapel that is completely enclosed within the roots of a banyan tree. On the way back to Bangkok you can see many salt fields. Samut Sakhon is the biggest producer of brine salt and salt farms sprawl across the border with Samut Songkhram and along the highway.
Then we head back to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

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In the morning our driver will pick you up and drive to Bang Pa In, the summer palace of the Thai Royal Family, built during the reign of King Rama IV. Inside the palace, you can see a perfect blend of oriental and western architectural style with a well-maintained garden and a large pond surrounded by elegant royal residential buildings. We continue to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand, and once one of the most prosperous cities in the world. A visit to Ayutthaya is a journey back in time and here you have time to explore some of the most famous temple ruins

The architectural style of Wat Chaiwatthanaram is influenced by the world-renowned Angkor temples in Cambodia. Its most unique feature is a large, central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs, symbolizing Mount Sumeru, the gods' mountain according to Hindu belief. Lunch in a local restaurant.

The distinctive three chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet are one of the most famous sights in the ancient capital. It was the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace in Ayutthaya until the city was completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767

Phra Mongkhon Bophit is situated next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Its large bronze seated Buddha image is one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand

A visit to Ayutthaya is not complete without a stop at Wat Mahathat where you can find one of Thailand’s most recognisable images: the Buddha head entwined within the roots of the tree.
Your “3 days highlights of Bangkok and Beyond” has come to an end and it is time to say goodbye. Our driver will drop you off within Bangkok area or at the airport in time for your flight.