Muang Boran
Weather :
Tags : Museum
Timings : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Entry Fee : THB 700
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Ways to Experience this attraction
Ancient City, Bangkok Overview
Ancient Siam, known as Muang Boran in Thai, is the world's largest open-air museum spread over 300 acres. With many mini-museums and sculpture gardens inside it, the museum mainly features replicas of some of Thailand's most important historical sites. The Ancient City's map here is a replica of the Thai map, divided into four sections in the same way as Thailand.
The divisions include the Northern, Northeastern, Central, and Southern regions. The replicas of the essential places in Thailand include –from the different empires that existed here, like Lanna, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin have been recreated here. Muang Boran has more than 115 buildings and monuments. The replicas of ancient sites include the Old Market Town, The Wihan at Wat Phrao, The Thai Hamlet from the Central Plains, and The Northern Thai Village. In addition to beautiful ponds and charming streams, the ruins of such significant sites as The Wihan at Wat Phra Si Sanphet (Ayutthaya), The Garden of Sacred Stupa, and the Ancient Theatrical Pavilion are also worth visiting.
Must Know Before You Visit Ancient City
Transportation for Rent Inside the Park : Bicycles: THB 150
Electric bikes: THB 250 for 3 hours, THB 100 extra for every hour after that
Cars: THB 400
Golf carts (4-wheelers): THB 300 for one hour, THB 100 for every hour after that
Golf carts (6-wheelers): THB 500 for one hour, THB 200 for every hour after that
Electric tuk-tuks: Free (Leaves at 09:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 01:00 PM, 02:30 PM, and 04:00 PM)
Ancient City Highlights
1. Pavilion of the Enlightened
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Things to Do at Muangboran
Once you enter from the southern part of the park, you can see a replica of a small rural village showcasing traditional ancestral life. The traditional houses here are real and were taken from an older district of Bangkok called Yan Nawa.
2. Revisit History in the Central part of the Ancient City
This section of the museum is dedicated to the Rattanakosin era; where replicas of places like - Dusit Maha Prasat Palace (the Grand Palace in Bangkok) and Sanphet Prasat Palace are preserved. It is believed that the Sanphet Prasat Palace was destroyed by the Burmese while conquering Ayutthaya in 1767. You will also find replicas of famous temples like the Wihan of Wat Phra Si Sanphet from Ayutthaya and the Prang Sam Yot from Lopburi.
3. Marvel the Sukhothai architecture in the Northern part of the Ancient City:
Admire the architectural beauty of replicas like the Noen Prasat, and the Grand Wall of Wat Mahathat from the Sukhothai era which is found in the Northern part of the museum. Other architectural gems like the Wat Chong Kham in Lampang can also be found here.
4. Be transported to ancient times at the floating market
The floating market in the Northern section of the Ancient City gives one a good idea of how daily life how used to be around the waterways called Khlongs, in ancient times. It is also a great place to eat some noodles or buy fresh fruits.
5. Rediscover ruins in the Northeast part of the Ancient City:
Replicas of the ruins of the Khmer empire can be found in the northeastern part of this park/museum, and you can learn much about them here. These include Phimai historical park in Nakhon Ratchasima and the Phanom Rung historical park in Buriram, both are similar in style to the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
You can delve into history through interactive activities in real historical settings of ancient Thailand. It's a good way for kids to both learn and have fun.
7. Other Activities
You could also take a walk by the various ancient park of Muangboran. With 300 acres of open space means there are many scenic picnic spots in this museum. Pick a picturesque place and lounge around with your family. With so many replicas of historical sites, the museum is a great photo opportunity as well.
Muangboran History
Thai millionaire Khun Lek Viriyaphant created the Ancient City at Muang Boran, who has also created other architectural wonders like the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan.
2. Highlights
The Erawan Museum is famous for the hand-carved giant three-headed elephant art sculpture on its exterior. It is said to be the largest in the world. The Sanctuary of Truth temple in Pattaya is another such structure. It is rumoured to have been built entirely of wood, without using a single nail. Lek Viriyaphant built the Ancient City at Muang Boran to preserve Thai national heritage and to give outsiders a glimpse of the vibrant Thai history and culture.
3. Lek Viriyaphant
Although Lek Viriyaphant was always interested in art, he intended to build a golf course in the shape of Thailand. The plan was to host miniatures of important national ancient sites. Thus, creating a fun tourist attraction. But as he started researching to create the Ancient City, he found that many ancient sites in Thailand had been left in decay. So he changed his concept of the Ancient City and decided to make it into an open-air museum for educating the masses and reviving interest in their national heritage, instead of just catering to tourists.
Visitor Tips
- Once inside the Ancient City, you have to walk a lot, as it is enormous. We suggest you wear a comfortable pair of shoes so that your feet don't hurt later.
- As it is an open-air museum, you will have to be out in the sun. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid getting hassled by the heat.
- Remember to put lots of sun-block and wear sunglasses, as you will be outdoors most of the time.
- Since the Ancient City is so massive, it is impossible to explore the entire museum on foot. An Open Tram follows a predetermined route through the Ancient City at scheduled times. This is a very comfortable option for exploring the museum.
- If you want to explore the museum on your own, without following a predetermined itinerary, you can rent a golf cart. These are available for THB150 per hour for a two-seat cart, THB 300 per hour for a four-seat cart and THB 450 for a six-seat cart. You need an International drivers license to drive these carts.
- Bicycles are also available for free at the entrance, and this option is perfect for those who don't mind a bit of exercise.
How to Reach Muangboran
As the Ancient City is quite outside the city of Bangkok, taking a Skytrain or BTS is the fastest way to reach there. It takes 45 minutes to reach from BTS Siam in Bangkok to BTS Kheha, which is the nearest Skytrain station from the Ancient City Museum. Once you get out of the station, you have to take a cab.
On Saturday and Sunday, there is a free shuttle service between BTS Kheha and the Ancient City at Muang Boran.
You can also take a BTS and get out at Bearing Station and take a cab to the museum.
2. By Cab
The other option is to take a cab from Bangkok, but this is expensive.
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