Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat
4.5
Historic SitesAncient RuinsArchitectural BuildingsReligious SitesMonuments & Statues
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,291 reviews
Excellent
1,855
Very good
1,125
Average
285
Poor
21
Terrible
5
Kaushik G
Mumbai, India4,065 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
Wat Mahathat is one of the 5 big temples in the historical city of Ayuthaya. Here I had purchased combined ticket for 220 baht which allows visit to the 5 big temples in Ayuthaya. The pagodas dedicated to Lord Buddha are mostly in ruins here but the main attraction of this place is the head of the Lord Buddha amidst the roots of a giant tree. Like other tourists, I also enjoyed clicking pics here with the unique tree in the background.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CKF
CT2,162 contributions
Dec 2019
Of all the amazing ruins scattered around Ayutthaya, Wat Mahathat will likely have the largest crowd. Everyone is wanting to photograph the very unusual sight of a Buddha face in a tree. There is a guard strictly enforcing the rule of sitting down in front of the tree before someone takes your picture (no standing).
After working your way through this crowd, the remainder of the property is also interesting and worth exploring. A must see while in the ancient capital of Siam!
After working your way through this crowd, the remainder of the property is also interesting and worth exploring. A must see while in the ancient capital of Siam!
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archie Jain
Noida, India109 contributions
Dec 2019
Wat Mahathat is a UNESCO world heritage site. The temple is famous for the Buddha's head under the Bodhi tree. The temple was ruined by attacks on the Ayutthaya city and now what we can see are the remains of the attack. The site is beautiful.
The place is not covered thus it's better to visit on non-sunny days and to be prepared with umbrella and sunglasses. Also since it is a temple, you would require to wear clothes covering your knees and elbows.
The place is not covered thus it's better to visit on non-sunny days and to be prepared with umbrella and sunglasses. Also since it is a temple, you would require to wear clothes covering your knees and elbows.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aika
Dubai, United Arab Emirates212 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
Our visit to Wat Mahathat was part of a Klook tour, which made the experience convenient and informative. The highlight of this temple is undoubtedly the Buddha head entwined in the roots of a banyan tree. Seeing this iconic image in person was fascinating, and it has a unique legend behind it. The story goes that the head became embedded in the tree roots after the temple was ransacked and left in ruins, with the tree slowly growing around it over the centuries.
Do I recommend coming here? It depends. If you enjoy exploring ruins and ancient sites, then yes, Wat Mahathat is worth a visit. However, if that’s not your thing, you might not find it as engaging.
One thing that surprised me was the size of the Buddha head. I had imagined it to be much larger, but it’s actually quite small. Despite this, it’s still a powerful and significant sight.
The heat was intense when we visited, which limited our exploration of the entire site. Fortunately, they provide umbrellas you can borrow, which was a lifesaver in the scorching sun.
Our tour guide also shared an interesting detail about an eight-sided pagoda on the grounds. According to him, this pagoda brings good luck because monks pray there. This added a nice touch of cultural and spiritual significance to our visit.
In summary, Wat Mahathat offers a glimpse into Thailand’s rich history and is a must-see for history buffs and those interested in ancient ruins. Just be prepared for the heat and take advantage of the umbrellas provided.
Do I recommend coming here? It depends. If you enjoy exploring ruins and ancient sites, then yes, Wat Mahathat is worth a visit. However, if that’s not your thing, you might not find it as engaging.
One thing that surprised me was the size of the Buddha head. I had imagined it to be much larger, but it’s actually quite small. Despite this, it’s still a powerful and significant sight.
The heat was intense when we visited, which limited our exploration of the entire site. Fortunately, they provide umbrellas you can borrow, which was a lifesaver in the scorching sun.
Our tour guide also shared an interesting detail about an eight-sided pagoda on the grounds. According to him, this pagoda brings good luck because monks pray there. This added a nice touch of cultural and spiritual significance to our visit.
In summary, Wat Mahathat offers a glimpse into Thailand’s rich history and is a must-see for history buffs and those interested in ancient ruins. Just be prepared for the heat and take advantage of the umbrellas provided.
Written October 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel K
Los Angeles, CA17 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
It is fine to go there and take a look once. Too many tourists around. It was hard to take a picture. Please pay attention to the sign: it says you must take pictures on your knees to pay respect to Budha. The security will watch you and if you stand he will ask you to erase the picture.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perry H
San Diego, CA1,794 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Much older than most the Temple/Palace settlements but still amazing architecture and statues. Great pictures and it covers a larger area. What is cool is the Buddha head which a tree has grown around. Great place to add to your itinerary.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russ Lacuata
Long Beach, CA9,738 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
It's name translate to "Monastery of the Great Relic" and believed to house a relic of the Buddha. The temple dates back to the 18th century, even precedes the founding of Bangkok. It is one of the most important landmarks of Ayutthaya. It is currently the headquarters of the Mahanikai School of Buddhism, Thailand's monastic order.
A crumbling complex in the middle of lush grassland. It feature traditional Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat style, headless Buddha statues, chedis, and the famous stone head Buddha entwined in the roots of a tree. It is one of the most photographed spots in the temple.
A crumbling complex in the middle of lush grassland. It feature traditional Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat style, headless Buddha statues, chedis, and the famous stone head Buddha entwined in the roots of a tree. It is one of the most photographed spots in the temple.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed
Dhaka City, Bangladesh1,544 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
This is the ancuent temple area that possesses the Buddha head inside a tree roots. One of the greatest and biggest Buddhist temple premises of Ayutthaya. The magnificent place fir tourists and history lovers. Actually , a number of temples ate there that are all ancient ruins. Nonetheless, all these are well maintained and clean enough. It costs 50 baht for each foreigner. Toilet is there outside the area.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dyhx
Singapore6,252 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
One of the many temple ruins in Ayutthaya, but this one certainly looked more 'unrestored'. The main stupa in the middle has collapsed due to looting of the treasures that used to buried 50m beneath it.
Many of the Buddha Statues have the heads missing and while there are piles of them in a corner, they are beyond restoration and cannot be matched back. Except for 1, where you can see the neck is made of cement connecting the stone head and body.
The highlight here is the Buddha head wrapped in the roots of a Banyan Tree. Somehow it has fallen perfectly in place and over the years, the tree grew around it.
Clean toilets here too but charges a fee of THB5.
Many of the Buddha Statues have the heads missing and while there are piles of them in a corner, they are beyond restoration and cannot be matched back. Except for 1, where you can see the neck is made of cement connecting the stone head and body.
The highlight here is the Buddha head wrapped in the roots of a Banyan Tree. Somehow it has fallen perfectly in place and over the years, the tree grew around it.
Clean toilets here too but charges a fee of THB5.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fire-tower
3,123 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We visited Wat Mahathat on a Thursday afternoon when we were in Ayutthaya. This is one of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya and it has the iconic Ayutthaya style Buddha image in the tree root, where there was a queue of visitors to take pictures of. Definitely one of the must-visit of you are in Ayutthaya.
Written July 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do we need a guide to explain the history etc or are there standees to explain it?
Written June 3, 2019
There are some signs but I doubt they tell you everything there is to know - probably just the highlights.
Written June 22, 2019
D’ou ? De place de l’etoile Ou de porte Champerret ? 😂
Written December 25, 2018
Hi guys,
How long do you reckon I need to see Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya?
Written June 7, 2016
I would suggest for one day trip and then you have time to see more ancient city for other temples, floating market and local foods. Enjoy traveling !
Written June 9, 2016
Hola Alejandro, queria preguntarte con respecto a ese árbol tan curioso, estuve en Miami y vi varios de esos y no puedo recordar el nombre, vos lo conoces?
Written April 3, 2016
Es en Tailandia, en Ayutthaya, a pocas horas de Bangkok. Es patrimonio nacional de la Unesco desde 1991.
Llama la atención es la cabeza de buda incrustada en las raíces formando parte de un árbol.
Nadie sabe con certeza cómo esa cabeza de Buda terminó entrelazada en las raíces. Es una obra majestuosa e impresionante. Cuando la ves de cerca te das cuenta que no hay intervención humana ni tallado alguno. No hay huellas de manipulación. Es la misma corteza la que modela a la perfección este rostro.
Hermosísimo poder verla.
Written April 3, 2016
Can I access a plan of the lay out of the blocks
Written December 4, 2015
u can get the map from tourist info center.
Written December 8, 2015
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