Spend the next 1 hour 30 minutes at the Ancient City – the largest outdoor museum in Thailand. The attractions at the Ancient City are spread out over a vast area of 128 hectares. Fortunately, it’s possible to drive from one stop to the next.
Drive past the entrance and journey back in time to a prosperous city, rich in material wealth and culture. Monuments representing various periods in the kingdom’s history are dotted around the site. Learn about the history, culture, religion, art, Thai customs and traditions, past to the present.
Key landmarks range from important royal palaces, temples, chedis or stupas, corn-cob-shaped Khmer-style towers called prang and Khmer-style temple sanctuaries constructed in stone. Traditional Thai houses in the various architectural styles reflect the changing cultural landscape and way of life of the kingdom’s four regions – North, Northeast, South and the Central Plains.
In an effort to preserve the kingdom’s historic landmarks for future generations, a few of these priceless monuments have been completely replicated or resurrected at the Ancient City.
Savour some local cuisine for lunch and shop for local handcrafted or home-made products as well as other merchandise from the four regions on sale at the Floating Market in the Ancient City. |