Ayutthaya

Once the richest city in the East, and the erstwhile capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya was razed to the ground by the Burmese back in 1767, but is a treasure trove of ancient temples and palace ruins to this day, even despite the destruction. There’s no better place to discover Thai history. The Ayutthaya Historical Park is absolutely stunning—a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses four spectacular temples of the early Ayutthaya period amidst a thick canopy of trees—as is the Royal Palace and Chapel (Wat Phra Si Sanphet), just off to the side. The best way to get around, is by hiring a bike from one of the rental outfits along Naresuan Soi 1 and Soi 2 (also referred to as Ayutthaya’s backpacker strip). In addition to the architectural remains, visit the Ayodha Floating Market, the fascinating Million Toys Museum, the Boat Museum and the Royal Folk Art and Crafts Centre. A train ride will get you here from Bangkok’s Hualamphong station in just an hour and a half, and the views of the Thai countryside along the way are beautiful.