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Bangkok- 4/5/13 -4/8/13
Ancient City or known in Thai as Muang Boran is the world's largest outdoor museum with 320-hectare and featuring 116 structures of Thailand's famous monuments and architectural attractions. Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down. Many buildings are reconstructions of sites that no longer exist or others originals rescued for their historical significance.
According to its creator, Lek Viriyaphant (1914- 2000) an eccentric Thai millionaire, Ancient city represent a portrait of Thailand's living past, but it also represent the roots of Thai society and culture that can pass on to the next generation. Replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy.
The park is so huge that you will need a car to drive around to see each attraction. They have scooters and bicycles for rent at the entrance! It is impossible to see the park by foot. Ancient City is about 2 hours of drive from Bangkok.
Our first stop is wood carving
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Buddhist and Hindu carving statues.
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I am just having fun trying to imitate the position of the wood statue.
Giant lotus leaves in a pond.
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Temple on stilts.
The Sanctuary of Truth is located on the seashore at Rachavate Cape, Tumbon Nakeeua, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province with over 32 acres of land.
Lek Viriyaphan spent his lifetime delving into the styles of sculptures and art histories of Asian Countries and then used all the gained knowledge as a tool to make the design of the Sanctuary. All wood carving and design were done here at Ancient City before being sent to the construction site in Pattaya.
What you see here is just a scale model of the Sanctuary of Truth.
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This is the scale model of the temple |
This is the temple in Pattaya. The style of the Sanctuary evokes Khmer architecture, displaying hand-carved wooden sculptures indicative of the imperial setting at Angkor. |
Tiger Kings Palace was once situated in area of the Ayutthaya Grand Palace. During the reign of King Sanphet VIII (or the Tiger King), he dedicated this teak palace to Somdej Phra Suwanna Muni, the supreme patriarch of the Ayutthaya Kingdom who came from Phetchaburi Province.
Row of upright octagon columns . The central door panels at the front are delicately and elaborately carved.
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A variety of different heights of Buddha statues and Monks statues are placed in the end of the palace for people to come and pray.
Wall filled with Buddha statues from different part of Asia
Close view of Buddha statues. They are kept under glass case.
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From there we walk to the Old Market town
Art work on display and for sale on our way to Old market town.
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Small art boutique |
Entering the Old Market town |
The Old Market Town or Talad Bok has been recreated to portray the atmosphere of an ancient Thai community.
The residential quarters in the old market town and the traditional Thai houses are copied from old community in Bangkok. .
There are shops selling all kinds of goods and souvenirs.
These old houses were originally from Yannawa district Bangkok, dismantled and rebuilt here
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Lots of hand made stuffs. |
Wooden sling with rubber band. Hoa used to have this toy when he was a kid. This is nice version, the one Hoa used to have is the homemade kind made with a sturdy branch and rubber band attached to it. |
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Puppets dolls kept under lock in glass display.
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A lady watering plants. Pretty amazing as this plant grew by attaching itself to piece of rock.
Next.. Ancient City part 2
