Traveling to Cultural World Heritage Sites: Ayutthaya Historical City

     Ayutthaya Historical City, a cultural world heritage site, is widely regarded as a tourist attraction with historical significance in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Both Thai and foreign tourists are interested in visiting the beauty of ancient architecture, including countless antiques. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park was declared a cultural heritage site under the name "Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical City" on 13 December 1991, making it the 576th site to be designated. There are important historical sites in this area, such as the ancient palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Ram, and Wiharn Wat Mongkhon Bophit, covering a total area of 1,810 rai (almost 2.9 square kilometers). Later, in 1997, the Fine Arts Department announced more ancient sites for further conservation, covering the area of Ayutthaya City Island and the area around the city island where evidence of historical archeology was found, totaling 3,000 rai (4.8 sq km).

     Important historical sites in this area include Chandra Kasem Palace, Forts and City Walls of Ayutthaya, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phutthaisawan, Wat Phananchoeng, Wat Phu Khao Thong, Portuguese Village, Hollanda Village, and Japanese Village, to name just a few. Ayutthaya Historical City is another historic tourist destination in Thailand, and one of the closest to Bangkok.