Ancient City (Muang Boran) Day Trip From Bangkok: Complete Guide

Are you in Bangkok and wondering whether to add the Ancient City to your itinerary? Or are you looking for unique day trips from Bangkok? Visiting the Ancient City (Muang Boran) is totally worth it! It’s the largest private open-air museum in the world, featuring detailed replicas of historical Thai temples, palaces, and landmarks from all over the country.

You’ll also find some truly unique creations built just for this museum — like the stunning temple set on a lake, surrounded by a giant mythical fish — a spot you’ve probably seen on Instagram.

We’ll share everything you need to know before visiting the Ancient City from Bangkok: how to get there, how to get around (the place is huge!), which temples and areas you shouldn’t miss, and my honest opinion on whether it’s worth visiting (spoiler: yes, it is!).

Planning a trip to Thailand? Check out all our Free Thailand Travel Guides.

---

Table of Contents

In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:

What is the Ancient City (Muang Boran)?

So first — what actually is the Ancient City?

Basically, it’s a huge outdoor museum, shaped like the map of Thailand, with scaled-down replicas of temples, palaces, and monuments from across the country showcasing different architectural styles and cultural influences from various time periods.

This is a great day trip from Bangkok — easy to reach and perfect if you’re looking to explore more beyond the city. If you’re new to the Thai capital, check out my Bangkok travel guide for first-timers to plan your stay.

Back to the Ancient City, it has 316 acres of land divided into 4 sections in the same way Thailand is divided. There are the Northern Region, Northeastern Region, Central Region, and Southern Region

Some structures are exact replicas of real temples, while others are recreations of lost monuments or unique and incredible designs made just for this museum.

One of the reasons I wanted to visit was to see the famous temple surrounded by a giant fish in the middle of a lake, the Sumeru Mountain (yep, the one from those viral drone shots).

But there’s much more to the Ancient City than that one temple and it’s difficult to say what our favorite was.

The entire park is beautifully maintained, peaceful, and far less crowded than other Bangkok day trips like the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Additionally, if you’re into photography, you can get some great shots without anyone around.

Is Visiting the Ancient City Worth It?

Absolutely! I liked it much more than I expected. The park is huge — way bigger than I thought — and getting around on a golf cart was actually really fun. It was a great way to see so many beautiful temples from different parts of Thailand in one place.

Some of the temples were designed especially for this park, and they’re honestly stunning. They look very different from everything else we’d seen in Thailand so far. Just for those unique temples alone, I think the visit is totally worth it.

It was a day well spent, and I think it’s great whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, or with family. We saw quite a few families there, and the kids seemed to really enjoy it too.

How to Get to the Ancient City from Bangkok

There are several ways to reach the Ancient City from central Bangkok. Here are your options:

Public Transport (BTS + Songthaew)

This is the cheapest way to get there and actually pretty straightforward. We did this route way and back ourselves.

1. Take the BTS Skytrain to Kheha Station (the last stop on the Sukhumvit Line).
2. Go to exit 3.
3. After exiting the station, you’ll find songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) nearby — look for the one with the number 36.
4. Tell the driver you’re going to Muang Boran or Ancient City, and they’ll drop you at the closest stop.
5. From there, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the entrance.

This is a very affordable option.

Grab Taxi

If you want something more convenient, or if you’re travelling as a group, it can make sense to take a Grab car directly from your hotel in Bangkok to the Ancient City.

The ride takes around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic and costs more than public transport, but it’s a super confortable and convinient option.

Organized Tour

You can also join an organized tour that includes transport from Bangkok. Some tours also combine the visit with a stop at the Erawan Museum, which is owned by the same group and located nearby.

Where to Buy Tickets to the Ancient City

You can buy tickets to the Ancient City at the Ancient City Official website or when you arrive there, or on apps like Klook. I bought ours via Klook, which turned out to be much cheaper than buying at the official site.

How to Get Around the Ancient City

The Ancient City is huge. If you look at the official map, you’ll see over 120 landmarks and structures spread across the park.

Walking is technically possible, but unless you love walking for hours in Thailand’s hot and humid weather, it’s really not the best idea. There are several much better ways to explore the site:

Golf Cart (Recommended)

This is the most comfortable and fun way to get around the Ancient City — and it’s what we chose. You can rent a golf cart by the hour at the entrance. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you’re visiting with a friend or partner, you can split the cost.

There are golf carts to accommodate two, four, or six people. Additionally, driving around freely at your own pace is part of the fun!

Note: To rent a golf cart, you’ll need a valid driver’s license (international or Thai).

Bicycle

If the weather isn’t too hot, and you’re on a budget, renting a bicycle is a great option.

Electric Bike

This is also a great option if you want the freedom of a bike without getting too tired. Additionally, it’s much cheaper than the golf cart. However, I still prefer the golf cart, because the roof provides some shade, which is super convinnient because there are not shades on the paths where you’ll ride your bike.

Electric Tram

The park also offers an electric tram (included in your ticket or for a small extra fee, depending on your ticket type). The tram follows a fixed route and stops at key highlights.

Your Own Car

If you’re driving to the Ancient City, you’re allowed to use your own car to get around the park. This can be convenient, but keep in mind it’s not as flexible as a golf cart or bike when it comes to hopping out for photos or getting close to smaller paths.

What to See Inside the Ancient City

The Ancient City is huge—don’t underestimate its size. So it’s important to prioritize the places you want to see most, especially if you don’t have all day to spend there. When you go through the entrance, they’ll give you a map and usually highlight the most popular spots.

Some places in the Ancient City are replicas of original sites or reconstructed based on historical evidence. Others were actually moved from their original locations and rebuilt here. And then, there are a few that were creatively designed just for the Ancient City.

Free Section (Buddhavas of the Substanceless Universe)

There’s also a small section of the park you can visit for free. It includes a few temples and a small market. But what really stands out in the free area is the Buddhavas of the Substanceless Universe (also called the Great Hall Vajradhamma).

It’s a real temple, and one of the most impressive areas in the park. The golden hall and surrounding pagodas are stunning, with a mix of Thai, Burmese, and Chinese styles. The pagodas represent the 12 zodiac signs and birth years, and it’s believed that visiting the one linked to your birth year brings peace to the soul.

I think this area was made free on purpose so that Thai people can visit their birth-year stupa whenever they want without the need of a ticket.

This is a real temple (active religious site), so make sure to dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and legs, and take off your shoes before entering. A shawl is available at the entrance if you need one.

Most Popular and Photo-Worthy Spots

In my opinion, all places in the Ancient City are worth taking a look at. But, there are a few of them that stand out that you won’t want to miss.

This list includes all sites recommended by the staff and also some that we particular found interesting and beautiful.

Sumeru Mountain (102)

Probably the most iconic spot. A pavilion sits on an island in a lake, surrounded by a giant mythical fish. The place is quite beautiful, but just take into account that drone perspectives are quite different from what we can see on the ground.

Pavilion of the Enlightened (110)

This is a beautiful geometric pavilion set on a lake. All the details are super beautiful. Drone shots from this place are quite impressive because of the symmetry and geometry of the roofs (unfortunately, drones are not permitted inside the park).

Mondop of Bohisattva Avalokitesavans (105)

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara—known as the embodiment of compassion—is one of the most highly revered figures across countries like India, China, Tibet, Japan, and Korea.

Bodhisattava Avalokitesavara Performing a Miracle (106)

A golden and unique sculpture of the Bodhisattva with many arms, set on a lake and surrounded by dragon heads that spout water. It’s full of details and really stands out (even though not marked on the map as “photo-worthy”).

Sala of Ramayana (107)

The Sala of Ramayana is a group of five pavilions built on a pond connected by small bridges. It is traditionally used as public gathering spaces or for religious ceremonies. Inside, you’ll find murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.

Botanical Garden of the Thai literature (109)

A peaceful area filled with statues inspired by classic Thai stories.

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That (50)

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That is a smaller replica of a Sukhothai temple, with separate areas for worship and Buddha images.

The Phimai Sanctuary (86)

The Phimai Sanctuary is a replica of Thailand’s largest Buddhist monument, built in Khmer style and resembling Angkor Wat.

Khun Phaen House (19)

A traditional wooden Thai house from central Thailand.

Sanphet Prasat Palace, Ayutthaya (27)

A replica of the royal palace from Ayutthaya. The Sanphet Prasat Palace was the principal palace in the early Ayutthaya period. It’s one of the most iconic and impressive buildings in the park and a great photo spot. Make sure you don’t miss this spot. It’s quite close to the entrance.

---

---

How Much Time Do You Need at the Ancient City?

To properly explore the Ancient City, I’d say you need at least four hours (three hours minimum if you’re rushing). We spent around five hours there (with a lunch break) — we arrived at 10 AM and left at 3 PM — and that gave us enough time to cover most of the park, including the highlights and lesser-known spots.

We also listened to the audio guide, so we took more time at some places than what would be necessary. I don’t think the audio guide was worth it — it went into a lot of detail, and after a while, it was just too much to take in. I felt it was quite difficult to assimilate so much information while walking around. However, it can be useful if you want more information about a particular place. You can also search for the place on the Ancient City website to get more information.

Food and Facilities Inside the Park

Inside the park, there are several places selling souvenirs, water, drinks, ice creams, and snacks. There are also several spots serving simple traditional Thai meals. The prices are super affordable, about the same as regular street food.

There’s also no shortage of restrooms, and we found them to be clean and well-maintained. You’ll find shaded areas and benches in several places. But keep in mind that most of paths don’t have much shade, so if you’re biking or walking around, it can get really hot.

Tips for Visiting the Ancient City

Finally, we would like to share a few essential tips for visiting the Ancient City:

• Wear a hat and sunscreen: the sun can be really strong, specially between midday and 3PM.

• Wear comfortable shoes: the place is massive, and you’ll be walking a lot, even if you get around with a golf car.

• Reserve plenty of time to visit this place: the area is huge, all temples are beautiful, so it’s worth spending time here exploring.

• No need to pack food: you can buy food and drinks inside the park for a very affordable price, so there’s no need to bring some.

• Buy your ticket on Klook: it’s usually cheaper than buying it at the entrance. [Click here to your ticket to the Ancient City on Klook]

Combine the Ancient City with the Erawan Museum

The Erawan Museum belongs to the same private group as the Ancient City and is best known for its massive three-headed elephant statue. But the place is much more than that. Inside the elephant, there’s a museum with beautiful artwork, religious objects, and decorative pieces. The interiors and gardens are absolutely stunning.

Just google “Erawan Museum” and check out some photos—you’ll see what we mean. We actually regret not including it in our itinerary. We’ll include it in our next visit to Bangkok.

You can easily visit both places on the same day. The museum is right near a BTS station, and you can get a combined ticket for both attractions. Some organized tours also include both. Just make sure to check the opening hours in advance to plan your day—or visit them on separate days if you prefer.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, we really enjoyed our time in the Ancient City and we really think it’s worth a stop. The whole place is beautiful and well maintained.

If you want to buy tickets, check out the options on Klook, we got our ticket much cheaper on Klook than at the official site.

A visit to the Ancient City is a great trip from Bangkok. We have guides for other options of Bangkok day trips documented here:

• Ayutthaya Travel Guide: Visit on Your Own from Bangkok
• Maeklong Railway and Damnoen Floating Markets – What to Expect
• How to Spend Two Days in Kanchanaburi: Itinerary and Tips

Finally, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand, you may want to check all out other travel guides.

Finally, you can use our links to book your accommodation, and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more for it and you’ll be supporting our work.