Get to know Lopburi, the city of monkeys! Did you know that in this city the monkeys walk quietly through the streets and temples? We tell you what to see in Lopburi and what to do to enjoy the best experiences Lopburi, in Thailand, is a city 150 kilometers north of the capital, Bangkok. This city is full of ruined Khmer temples – it was formerly part of the kingdom of Angkor Wat and the kingdom of Ayutthaya. It is in these temples, and also in the streets, where you can see thousands of monkeys living in perfect harmony with the locals. Hence, it has earned the nickname of the city of monkeys. We tell you what to see in Lopburi: which are the temples and palaces that you cannot miss, as well as giving you some ideas of things to do in Lopburi. Everything for you to decide whether to include Lopburi in the route of your trips to Thailand.
Do you want to have a more general view of Thailand? We recommend our article What to see and what to do in Thailand.
What to see in Lop Buri
Next, we review the temples and monuments to see in Lopburi, a city known precisely for its ruined buildings.
Phra Prang Sam Yot
Phra Prang Sam Yot Temple, popularly known as the Lopburi Monkey Temple, is one of the most renowned temples in the area. It was built over 800 years ago in the Khmer style. This temple is made up of three towers that symbolize the gods Vishnu, Siva and Brahma (the Hindu trinity). The most curious thing about Phra Prang Sam Yot is that you can see hundreds of monkeys inhabiting the temple. In any case, and although they are very used to living with people, the guards have a stick to scare them away if necessary. But, as we told you, you should not worry, monkeys are usually very nice! Although the temple is in ruins, you can go inside where, in addition to the monkeys, it is also common to see some bats that inhabit it.
Practical Data
- Price : 50 baht (approximately €1.50)
- Hours : from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location : Tha Hin, Mueang Lop Buri District
San Phra Khan
The San Phra Kan temple is a small complex made up of stupas of different styles. This temple consists of two structures: a Khmer shrine from the 11th century and a pavilion from the 20th century, where there is a statue of the god Vishnu. As in the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple you can also see many monkeys around the temple. In the northern area of the San Phra Kan there is an area to feed them.
Practical Data
- Price : free
- Hours : all day
- Location : Amphoe Mueang
Wat Phra Sri Mahathat
The Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, or Old Royal Palace, is a complex made up of several Khmer-style prangs (or shrines). The oldest of the prangs is about 800 years old. In this complex you can see both Buddhist and Hindu constructions with sculptures dedicated to deities of both religions. Some of these constructions are from the time of the Ayutthaya reign. Do not miss Wat Phra Sri Mahathat during your visit , it is one of the essentials that should not be missing from your list of things to see in Lopburi! It is also located in the heart of the city, near the Wat Phra Sri Mahathat train station, so it will be very easy for you to get there.
Practical Data
- Price : 50 baht (approximately €1.50)
- Hours : 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday
- Location : Tha Hin
Wat Nakhon Kosa
The Wat Nakhon Kosa temple is also located near the Lopburi railway station. It is a Buddhist temple where today you can see an image of Buddha. Some other ancient Buddha images found there were transferred to the Somdet Phra Narai National Museum. This temple was originally built by the Khmer Hindus and later, during the Ayutthaya reign period, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple.
Practical Data
- Price : free
- Hours : from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Location : 215 Narai Maharach Rd, Tambon Tha Hin
Things to do in Lop Buri
Now that you know what to see, do you want to know what to do in Lopburi? We recommend some activities to make the most of your time in the city of monkeys.
Attend the Monkey Festival
The Monkey Festival takes place the last week of November and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Lopburi. In this festival the monkeys are the protagonists. He gives them fruit. In fact, you will see large columns of fruit or street stalls for the monkeys to feed on. You can also enjoy parades with music and people dressed as monkeys. A true festival to celebrate the locals’ love for monkeys!
Visit Nearby Cities
Lopburi is close to Bangkok but also to other destinations such as Ayutthaya . When you are in Lopburi we also recommend that you take a look at the cities that are nearby. One of these excursions is a bicycle route between Lopburi and Ayutthaya. The route is not very difficult, since there are not too many slopes or difficult sections. Even so, keep in mind that the route is approximately 68 kilometers. The tour will allow you to get to know in depth the surroundings of Lopburi and the most rural part of the country. Ayutthaya, a perfect excursion from Lopburi
Observe the sunflower fields
The Lopburi area is famous for its vast fields of sunflowers . It is here where you will find the largest fields in the country and you can see gigantic yellow fields decorating the landscape. The best area to observe the fields is in Phatthana Nikhom. The best time to see the blooming sunflower fields is from November to January.
How to get to Lopburi?
Lopburi is ideal for a day trip. Its small size will mean that in a short time you can visit the main tourist places. If you are wondering how to get to Lopburi, we will give you a summary so that you know how to get to the city from other nearby points:
- From Bangkok: the best means of transport is the train, which takes approximately two hours.
- From Ayutthaya: As we have seen, one of the ways to connect the two cities can be by bicycle. Even so, the fastest and most comfortable way is by train, on a 40-minute journey.
Now that you know what to see in Lopburi and what experiences are most worthwhile, do you want to start preparing your trip? Discover our itineraries to Thailand, some of which include a visit to Lopburi.