Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

Top choice in Ayuthaya

Visitors to this photogenic ruin 2km southeast of the island can climb stairs up into the crypt of the stunning 60m-tall, bell-shaped chedi (stupa). There you can drop coins into a bucket in hope of good luck and walk around the outside for a view of sculpted gardens and dozens of smaller stupas and stone Buddhas.

Founded by King U Thong in 1357, it housed monks returning from ordination in Sri Lanka. In 1593, King Naresuan added its fantastic chedi after a victory over the Burmese, and it thus became known as the 'temple of auspicious victory'.

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Rte 3477

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