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City in Thailand
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Lopburi (ลพบุรี), also Lop Buri or Lob Buri is a historic city 3 hours north of Bangkok in the Chao Phraya Basin region of Thailand. Lopburi has a mountain called Khao Chan Daeng.
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A Khmer-style temple known for its three linked towers.
Phra Kahn Shrine
The site of a small shrine, the remains of a Khmer prang, a few stalls and lots of monkeys. The stalls sell offerings to be dedicated at the shrine, and food and drink. The monkeys eat the food, drink, offerings and anything else going. Good for a few photos. There are signs warning of purse-grabbing by the monkeys, but they appear docile if not provoked.
Built in the 13th century, this is one of the town's most important monasteries; visitors can view a bas relief illustrating the Buddha's life on the central prang. No monkeys.
King Narai's Palace
Built in 1677 by French, Italian, and Portuguese engineers, the palace was used by King Narai to host receptions for foreign envoys. Restored in 1856 by King Mongkut, it was converted into a museum in 1924. The palace grounds consists of the remains of various buildings in an enclosed park, with the central palace serving as the Somdet Phra Narai Museum, which houses prehistoric exhibits, along with Buddha images of Dvaravati, Lopburi and Khmer styles; and King Mongkut's bedroom.
The remains of Constantine Phaulkon's residence, built in the reign of King Narai the Great. Only the outer walls of the three main buildings remain, in a small grassy area.
A viharn in the compound of a working wat, also has a small amulet market in the grounds. Previously used as a Christian chapel and a mosque, it has now been restored and features a large Buddha figure, with several smaller Lopburi-era Buddhas in wall niches.
วัดถ้ำตะโก พุทธโสภา
A Buddhist temple carved into a small cave. A popular attractions amongst locals.
เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าซับลังกา
The last remaining forest in Lopburi in the province's northeastern tip. The forest is home to elephants and wild boars. There are hiking trails, waterfalls and caves in the area.
น้ำตกวังก้านเหลือง
Turquoise-colored waterfall with water all year round. A very popular attraction amongst the locals especially during the hot season.
ทุ่งดอกทานตะวัน
Lopburi is one of the largest growers of sunflowers. This combined with the scenic hilly backdrop makes these fields a great place for photography especially between November and December. Most fields are located around Pa Sak Jonlasit Dam.
นิวซีแลนท์เมืองไทย ลพบุรี
An attraction right on the banks of Pasak Jonlasit Dam. Great place for camping with many sheep and other farm animals (bought in to attract tourists), thus the name "New Zealand of Thailand".
เขาพระยาเดินธง
Great place to catch a both the sunrise and sunset in Lopburi and Pasak Jonlasit Dam. There is a road that leads all the way to the top of the mountain, so no physical hiking is needed. There are camping spots available and a few food vendors come up here during the day.
อ่างซับเหล็ก
A natural reservoir close to the main town. Great hangout spot for locals to cool down. Many vendors present around the area. A great place to view the sunset. The walk takes around 10-15 minutes.
วัดเขาวงพระจันทร์
The hike takes around 2-3 hours via a very steep set of stairs, reaching the temple around 650 m above sea level. Although the temple is open all year round, the lights usually go off early in the evening. Every year there is a temple festival, with many food vendors along the 3,790 step pilgrimage. During that time, the lights stay on 24/7.
งานวัดเขาวงพระจันทร์
An annual 15-day festival that takes place at Khao Wong Prachan Temple. The date changes every year depending on the Buddhist calendar. While the temple is open 24/7, the festival includes numerous food stalls at the bottom and the lights turn on for the whole evening along the 3,790 step trek to the highest point of the province (normally the lights turn off by 7-8 PM).
งานแผ่นดินสมเด็จพระนารายณ์มหาราช
An annual 10-day cultural celebration held every February. It commemorates the reign of King Narai the Great (1656–1688), who transformed Lopburi into the kingdom’s second capital. Locals would wear traditional Thai attires with many activities including retro markets, light shows and other cultural activities.
จีนแล
At Jiin Lay Mountain.
An elevated railway across the man-made Pasak Jonsalsit Dam as part of the Northern Railway route. The train goes across the body of water, giving the passengers a view of the dam. Occasionally, the State Railway of Thailand has special trains departing from Bangkok that will stop on these elevated sections, allowing passengers to walk along the railway.
Cash only.
A great restaurant owned by a Belgian. A great change if you are looking for something a little different from Thai food.
Good English cuisine. Run by Barry and Noi, an Englishman and his Thai wife. The prices are higher than typical Thai food, but the steaks are huge, the Shepherd's pie is excellent, and sometimes has tacos.
Romantic Western architecture with a beautiful yard and second floor, offers good food. Crab meat fried rice and red curry is very good. The owner, Mr Piak, speaks English and will tell you everything you need to know, even if you don't dine there.
Nice little street side bar with beer, whisky and food. Gung and Steve are great hosts and the bar stays open until there is no one remaining. There are usually a few Westerners hanging around.
Probably the best of the hotels within the monkey area, and enclosed in a big "cage" that keeps the monkeys out, so you can open the windows. All rooms are air-con.
The least likable hotel in the monkey area. It's not enclosed in a "cage", so opening the windows isn't a good idea. However, it does have the best view of the monkey area and the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. Rooms have Thai-style bathrooms with squat toilets.
Enclosed in a big "cage" that keeps the monkeys out, so you can open the windows. The rooms are neat and clean, but don't expect more.
Rooms are low to medium standard.
Good location, with a small food market in front, and no monkeys running around. Rooms range from medium standard to a decent standard.
Has fan rooms, also offers motorcycle rentals and rock climbing, and is close to an Internet café. Serves English breakfast 08:00-11:30.
Has only two good points: location and price.
Holds a dinner party each November for the monkeys. The hotel has a shuttle and may be willing to pick you up from the train station.
The only hotel in town with a swimming pool.
Clean and spacious rooms. Seventy-five superior rooms and four deluxe rooms. Each room has a private balcony. It is about eight kilometres to Somdet Phra Narai National Museum and Phra Prang Sam Yot Khmer sanctuary. Room price includes a (modest) breakfast for two. Free Wi-Fi.
By minibus
From Bangkok, air conditioned minivans leave from the main Mo Chit (northern) bus station, take about 2 hours and cost 110 baht.
By train
Trains from/to Bangkok's main Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal station take about 3 hours.
By car
The blue local bus (8 baht) circles constantly between the bus station about 2 km from the town centre, passing Phra Kahn Shrine, going south on Sorasak Rd, and ending up in front of the TAT office on Phraya Kamuad Rd.
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