Religious site
Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya)
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Wat Mahathat is one of Ayutthaya's most photographed temples, thanks to the haunting image of a sandstone Buddha head entwined in the roots of a banyan tree. The temple was a major religious center, believed to have housed the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to Bangkok. Its central prang once towered over the city but collapsed in the 17th century. Visitors can wander through the extensive ruins, including rows of headless Buddha statues and a large chedi. The tree-root Buddha is located near the entrance and is treated with reverence.
Don't miss
- Photograph the Buddha head wrapped in tree roots, a symbol of nature reclaiming the ruins.
- Walk among the rows of seated Buddha statues, many missing their heads.
- Climb the remains of the central prang for a view of the temple complex.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya)
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inFrom Bangkok: Ayutthaya Temples Small Group Tour with Lunch4.5★ · 46 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$27 per personSee dates →
Best full dayUNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok4.7★ · 1,699 travelers~12 hoursFree cancellationFrom$30 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Tour to Ayutthaya and Bang Pa In Palace with Boat Tour5★ · 16 travelers7–8 hoursFrom$167 per personSee dates →More attractions in Ayutthaya