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Description
Location: Ayuthaya Thailand

Once one of the world's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities, Ayuthaya's gilded temples and treasure-laden palaces glittered from kilometres away. Today the dozens of ruins offer a tantalising glimpse into its glorious past. Many sites have been partially restored, so it's easy to imagine how they must have looked in their prime.

Between 1350 and 1767 Ayuthaya was the capital of Siam, which at its peak ruled over an area larger than England and France combined. Home to over a million people, the island city was one of Asia's major trading ports and international merchants visiting from around the globe were left in awe.

The empire fell in 1767 when an invading Burmese army thoroughly sacked the city, looting most of its treasures and enslaving thousands of its citizens. Independence was restored within a year, but the capital was moved to what is now Bangkok and Ayuthaya was left largely abandoned for decades. Major restoration work began in 1969 and it's now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Description
Location: Ayuthaya Thailand

Once one of the world's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities, Ayuthaya's gilded temples and treasure-laden palaces glittered from kilometres away. Today the dozens of ruins offer a tantalising glimpse into its glorious past. Many sites have been partially restored, so it's easy to imagine how they must have looked in their prime.

Between 1350 and 1767 Ayuthaya was the capital of Siam, which at its peak ruled over an area larger than England and France combined. Home to over a million people, the island city was one of Asia's major trading ports and international merchants visiting from around the globe were left in awe.

The empire fell in 1767 when an invading Burmese army thoroughly sacked the city, looting most of its treasures and enslaving thousands of its citizens. Independence was restored within a year, but the capital was moved to what is now Bangkok and Ayuthaya was left largely abandoned for decades. Major restoration work began in 1969 and it's now a UNESCO World Heritage site.