Ancient City (Muang Boran): Thailand in miniature by bike

Updated on October 1, 2026

Ancient City, or Muang Boran ("the ancient city"), is an open-air museum of more than 800 rai (about 128 hectares) in Bang Pu, Samut Prakan province, south-east of Bangkok. Founded by the patron Lek Viriyaphant and his wife Praphai, it opened in 1972. More than a hundred temples, palaces, shrines and traditional villages are reconstructed here, full size or scaled down, and laid out following the map of the country: the North, the North-East, the Centre and the South each have their own sector. Some lost buildings, such as the palace of Ayutthaya, were rebuilt on the basis of historical research. The paths are long: you get around by bike or electric cart. Allow at least half a day.

Highlights

Sanphet Prasat Palace

This palace was the main throne hall of the early Ayutthaya period. Burnt down when the Burmese took the city in 1767, only its brick base survives today. Muang Boran rebuilt it from excavations, Thai and foreign written sources and the study of other monuments of the period.

Prasat Phra Wihan

The Khmer sanctuary of Preah Vihear, built around 1038 under King Suryavarman I, is reproduced on top of an artificial hill 54 metres high. The site is reduced to about one tenth of its real size, the towers to half. Once at the top, the view takes in the whole park and its lakes.

The floating market

Wooden stilt houses, landings and boats recall riverside life in the central plain. A food market is held here: it makes a good lunch stop halfway through the visit.

Mount Sumeru

This sculpted mountain illustrates Buddhist cosmology after the murals of Wat Yai Intharam in Chonburi: at the summit, the heavenly city of the god Indra; at its foot, the Himavanta forest and its mythical creatures.

Infos pratiques

Tips

The adult ticket for foreign visitors costs 800 baht, 400 baht for children aged 6 to 14 (prices checked in October 2026); foreigners living in Thailand pay the Thai rate on showing a work permit or a Thai driving licence. Ticket desks close at 6 pm: arrive by early afternoon at the latest to have time to see everything. Bikes are available near the entrance, lent at no extra cost according to several recent reports: check at the ticket desk. Electric carts are rented by the hour on site. The park has little shade: a hat, sunscreen and water are essential. The same founder created the [Erawan Museum](/fr/attractions/musee-erawan-elephant), on the same BTS line: the two visits combine easily in one day. To see the real ruins of the former capital, head to [Ayutthaya](/fr/attractions/ayutthaya).

How to get there

BTS Sukhumvit Line to the Kheha terminus (about 45 minutes from Siam). The entrance is about 4 km from the station: take songthaew (shared pick-up) no. 36, which passes the entrance in just under a quarter of an hour, or a taxi. By car, an entry fee of 400 baht per vehicle is added to the tickets. Address: 296/1 Moo 7, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan 10280.