What to see in Lopburi, other than the sunflowers?

Many visitors come to Lopburi on daytrip from Bangkok; take the 7am train, arrive there almost 3 hours later, negotiate with the drivers at the train station and ride their mini lorries to the sunflower fields, take lots and lots of photos, return to the train station, have lunch and go back to Bangkok (3 hours train ride again!).

Many might think is it worth to travel to Lopburi just for the sunflowers?

Well... that's why I joined the Lopburi Eco Marathon hahahaha.

Ok la.. actually there's other things to see in Lopburi.


Lopburi attractions

You will definitely see monkeys in Lopburi ;p The city is best known for the hundreds of crab-eating macaques. They're everywhere and mind you, they're not afraid of humans. So they will steal whatever items or food they can find from unwary visitors.

Just across the train station is Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat. It was once a royal temple where King Narai and regional governors would have come to perform official religious ceremonies. No one knows exactly when it was built, but an unusual blend of art and architecture indicate that it also played a prominent role when the Khmer ruled the area in the 13th century.

Like the remains of temples with similar names in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Lopburi's Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat covers a large area that's a pleasure to wander around.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Across Na Phrakan Rd from the train station, Lopburi

Opening hours: 7am ~ 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: 50 baht

In the 1660s, King Narai of Ayutthaya hired French and Italian architects to collaborate with Thai artists on a new palace, briefly turning Lopburi into the kingdom's second capital.

Today the Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace complex includes several ruins along with a section that was rebuilt in 1850s and now houses the exceptional Somdet Phra Narai National Museum. The museum, with thousands of exhibits from prehistory to the eras of Narai and Mongkut are very well curated, with comprehensive English/Thai information. 

Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace

Address: Surasongkhram Rd, Lopburi

Access: The gate to Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace is located to the east off Sorasak Road, a 10-minutes walk northeast of the train station (look for the big white walls).

Opening hours: Wed ~ Sun 8.30am ~ 4.30pm

Entrance Fee: 150 baht 

Another ancient site nearby the train station is Phra Prang Sam Yot. If you're after a photo of monkeys traipsing on ancient ruins, this three Khmer-style towers is your place. Dozens of monkeys snooze on the stone blocks or climb around the Buddha image and prangs.

*pix from google

Phra Prang Sam Yot

Prang Sam Yot Rd, just west of San Phra Kan shrine, Lopburi

Opening hours: 7am ~ 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: 50 baht

There are other ancient sites to see but I was too lazy to go because it was so hot that day. My sister and I returned to our guesthouse and just chilled at nearby restaurant (they played good music!) hahaha.

Lopburi is very laidback. So if you want to chill, it is a good place to escape busy Bangkok.