Ayutthaya - City Island Bicycle Track II (The Historical Park Loop)

This bicycle tour has been designed to present the most important sites within the Ayutthaya Historical Park and more. This route will include territory designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and some of the most breathtaking and historically significant ruins on the main city island. This bicycle route will not only lead you to many of the sites listed by travel guidebooks and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) brochures, but it will also go one step further by leading you through some of the lesser-known ruins within the Ayutthaya Historical Park. This is the bike route to take if you will only stay in Ayutthaya for one day or less.

Ayutthaya is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was voted to this list on December 13th, 1991, at Carthage, Tunisia. There are approximately 221 historical structures in Ayutthaya registered as cultural heritage sites, and many of these ruins are highly concentrated in a government-protected area known as Ayutthaya Historic Park, which includes the former Royal Palace site.

Ayutthaya Historical Park is situated in an old swampy area called Bung Phra Ram, which is where King U-Thong is believed to have established his kingdom in 1351. This section of the city lay in ruins after the Burmese invaded in 1767, and for many decades, it had been plundered and looted. However, it was restored into a city park as early as 1956, during the reign of Field Marshall Phibun Songkhram. Many laws have since been passed to protect this zone from modern development, including efforts to relocate squatters to other parts of the city.

Thailand became a member of UNESCO’s Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1987. Shortly after being registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and after increased funding was made available, the Thai government began its master plan to further develop and conserve sections of the historic city. The Fine Arts Department is now responsible for maintaining the Ayutthaya Historic Park, which covers 1/3 of the city island (nearly 3 square kilometres). Meanwhile, other sections of the main city island were set aside for government offices, schools, businesses, and residential neighbourhoods.

The tour will take 4-5 hours, depending on the time spent at each location point. A few highlights on this itinerary have been listed primarily for smoother navigation and reference, though they may also appeal to many cyclists as points of interest. Individual cyclists can choose where to stop based on their preferences and time constraints.

If you are interested in viewing photographs of the temples in advance or would like additional historic information about these ruins, visit our website at www.ayutthaya-history.com.

Tips and Warnings

Bicycles can be rented at various locations along Soi 2 Naresuan Rd, the starting point of this tour. Bike rental costs about 60 baht (about $2) per day on average, making bike touring an inexpensive way to see the city. Ayutthaya’s terrain is mostly flat and easy to ride, but many streets and side roads are poorly marked, so use the map to simplify navigation.

Be cautious, as traffic in and around Ayutthaya can be chaotic. Motor vehicles often fail to see cyclists and pedestrians, so you must remain vigilant. Motorcycles are a particularly nasty cause of local accidents. Dogs and potholes can also cause problems, especially in remote areas. The weather can be very hot, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids and wear sunblock. It is inadvisable to drive at night due to inadequate city lighting.

The theft of bicycles is uncommon in Ayutthaya, but backpacks and cameras have been stolen on rare occasions. It is best to pack valuables with you when visiting the temples on the route.

In an emergency or accident:

Contact the Ayutthaya Tourist Police Station: 035/241446, 035/242352 or 1155.

Disclaimer

AHR will not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever for any suggestions made in relation to the site’s promotion of ecotourism. It is the responsibility of the user of the site to take the necessary precautions to avoid any physical injury, traffic incident, animal attack, theft, and damage to equipment. Any reliance on the site’s information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Read our full disclaimer on our website: www.ayutthaya-history.com.

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