Prasat Nakhon Luang in Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is an old city that’s one hour from Bangkok and is known to offer many historic sites that tell stories of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
For example, Prasat Nakhon Luang is an ancient Thai-Khmer sanctuary in Ayutthaya with run-down brick walls and stupas where you can admire Khmer-style architecture.
Explore an ancient Thai-Khmer Sanctuary in Ayutthaya
Image credit: @baniejester
Prasat Nakhon Luang is a grand old Thai-Khmer-style sanctuary with a mondop featuring four Buddha footprints on the top. It used to be a royal palace dating from the Ayutthaya era.
The place has become a popular historic site for both Thais and foreigners who love seeing old architecture, and it’s open to the public without admission fees.
Image credit: @yuri_koko
The sanctuary is encircled by dilapidated brick walls and three levels of walkways. Walking around on the first level, you’ll spot Khmer-style roofless stupas along the way on the level.
Image credit: @wat_golfram2
Some stupas boast Buddha images inside, or views of the sky beyond the tops where there are no roofs, which make them popular photo spots among visitors.
Take a look at 4 Buddha footprints in Mondop Chaturamook
Image credit: @nan_nari
If you reach the third level, you’ll spot a yellow mondop in the middle with a Ganesh shrine sitting in front of the entrance.
Image credit: @sumi_thared
Getting inside, you can come and have a look at the four overlapping Buddha’s footprints carved in stone.
There are also many Buddha statues on the third level to pay respects to, if you wish.
Visit Prasat Nakhon Luang in Ayutthaya
As the historic site offers old architecture with a Khmer style, it would be a nice place to visit for those who are fans of historic places in Asia.
The sanctuary is located approximately an hour and a half from Bangkok. If you don’t own a car, you can take a Bangkok-Ayutthaya route bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal and find a taxi from Ayutthaya Bus Terminal to get to the place.
Prasat Nakhon Luang
Address: Nakhon Luang, Nakhon Luang District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13260
Opening hours: 6am–6pm, Daily
Google Maps
More places to check out:
- Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary offers a scenic forest to explore
- Sukhothai Historical Park: ancient mondops and buddha images
- Pha Sok lets you soak in a cliffside jacuzzi
Cover image adapted from: @wat_golfram2, @baramate and @aun_metha