Lopburi

Lopburi: Welcome to the Monkey Kingdom!

Hold onto your sunglasses! You're about to enter Lopburi, a city with a 1,000-year-old history... that has been completely, hilariously, and adorably taken over by thousands of mischievous long-tailed macaques.

This isn't a zoo. This is a city where monkeys swing from the power lines, snatch snacks from unsuspecting visitors, and use ancient Khmer temples as their personal jungle gym. Just a couple of hours north of Bangkok, Lopburi is a surreal, unforgettable day trip that’s part Indiana Jones, part Planet of the Apes.

What’s the Vibe?

In a word: Chaotic! 🐒

A low-angle, outdoor shot shows several macaques feasting on a table laden with fresh fruits, including grapes and watermelon, at the base of the ancient, towering stone ruins of Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi, Thailand, under a clear blue sky.

The Lopburi Bucket List: Temples, Palaces & (More) Monkeys

Get ready to explore the city's two sides: the historic and the... hairy.

Phra Prang Sam Yot (The Monkey Temple)

This is ground zero for the monkey takeover. This stunning, 13th-century Khmer temple with its three iconic towers is the official headquarters for the city's primate population. Hundreds of them scamper, sleep, and play all over these ancient stones. It's an incredible sight and the ultimate Lopburi photo op.

A VERY SERIOUS (BUT FUN) WARNING: These monkeys are professional thieves! They are fast, smart, and they want your stuff.

King Narai's Palace (Phra Narai Ratchaniwet)

Ready for a break from the furry chaos? Step into the grand, (mostly) monkey-free zone of King Narai's Palace. Built in the 17th century, this was the sprawling summer palace of the king who ruled Ayutthaya. It’s a fascinating mix of Thai and French architectural styles. You can wander through the vast ruins, audience halls, and the on-site museum for a glimpse of the city's grand "human" history.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Just across from the train station, this is another of Lopburi's major historical sites. This large complex features a very impressive central prang (tower) and countless crumbling chedis and Buddha statues. The best part? It's generally quiet and monkey-free, allowing you to explore the beautiful Ayutthaya- and Khmer-style ruins in peace.

BONUS: The Sunflower Fields (Seasonal)

If you're visiting between November and January, you're in for a treat! The fields surrounding Lopburi explode into a sea of endless yellow as massive sunflower fields bloom. You can rent a scooter or car and drive out to one of the many farms (like Khao Chin Lae) to walk through the giant flowers, which make for stunning photos. 🌻

How to Get There

Lopburi is an super easy day trip or overnighter from Bangkok.

By Train: This is the best and most scenic way! The train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue Grand Station takes about 2-2.5 hours and drops you right in the heart of the old town, a short walk from the temples.

By Bus/Van: Regular buses and minivans leave from Bangkok's Mo Chit Bus Terminal and take about 2-3 hours.

The Provinces of Central & Western Thailand...

Wat Muang is located in Hua Taphan sub-district, Wiset Chai Chan district. It is presumed that the temple was constructed in the late Ayutthaya Era

Ang Thong

View of the Chao Phraya River looking south from Bang Rak

Bangkok

A golden Buddha statue nestled on a hillside.

Chai Nat

An ancient temple.

Kamphaeng Phet

A serene, hazy view of the long, wooden Mon Bridge in Kanchanaburi, spanning a calm lake where a small boat is cruising. Layers of forest-covered mountains are visible in the background under a soft, warm light.

Kanchanaburi

A high-angle, scenic view looking along the crest of the massive Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand, with its reservoir on one side and a lush green valley and forested hills on the other, under a partly cloudy sky.

Nakhon Nayok

The magnificent golden stupa of Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, glows against a deep blue twilight sky, with a Buddhist monk in orange robes standing in the foreground courtyard.

Nakhon Pathom

A panoramic view from a high vantage point in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, looking out over a dramatic, forest-covered limestone peak and a vast plain of green and yellow patchwork agricultural fields stretching to the horizon under a blue, cloudy sky.

Nakhon Sawan

A modern cable-stayed bridge with a distinctive pylon topped by a golden, traditional Thai spire, spanning a wide river in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The foreground is filled with green water hyacinths under a clear blue sky.

Nonthaburi

A traditional Thai temple with an orange-tiled roof sits in the middle of a tranquil pond in Pathum Thani, Thailand. A large, ornate Naga serpent statue encircles the structure, its body forming a walkway leading to the entrance. The building and a blue sky are reflected in the water, and the scene is framed by dark green leaves in the foreground.

Pathum Thani

A scenic view of the Wat Pha Sorn Kaew temple complex in the mountains of Phetchabun, Thailand. A massive, white seated Buddha statue and an ornate, golden pagoda are nestled in the lush green hills, with layers of distant mountains visible in the background.

Phetchabun

A white pickup truck with a boat trailer parked on the dirt shore of a large, calm lake in Phetchaburi, Thailand. In the distance, mountains line the horizon under an overcast sky, with dramatic sunbeams breaking through the clouds and shining onto the water.

Phetchaburi

The ancient brick ruins of a temple in Phichit, Thailand, are illuminated by the warm, golden light of sunset, with surrounding trees and a clear sky.

Phichit

A scenic, high-angle view of the patchwork rice paddies in Phitsanulok province, Thailand. The fields, some flooded with water and others a vibrant green, stretch towards a line of dense trees with rolling hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

Phitsanulok

The red brick ruins of the ancient temples at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand, with crumbling walls in the foreground and several towering prangs against a blue sky with clouds.

Pra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

An elevated, panoramic view of Prachuap Khiri Khan province in Thailand at sunset. A red-roofed temple is nestled in the foreground, overlooking a vast landscape of winding rivers, aquaculture farms, and a small town, with dramatic limestone mountains rising in the hazy, golden-lit background.

Prachuap Khiri Khan

A long-exposure photograph of a river with milky, flowing water cascading over smooth, dark boulders, surrounded by the lush green trees of a forest in Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Ratchaburi

A riverside view of Phra Samut Chedi in Samut Prakan, Thailand, at sunset. The chedi is brightly illuminated in pink and white, reflecting on the calm water next to a traditional temple and docked boats under a colourful sky.

Samut Prakan

A large, golden statue of a mythical bird stands before an ornate Thai temple in Samut Sakhon, featuring a multi-tiered red and gold roof, all set against a clear blue sky.

Samut Sakhon

A red and yellow train approaches on a track running directly through the center of a bustling market in Samut Songkhram, Thailand. Crowds of tourists stand inches from the track, holding up their phones to photograph the train as it passes the colourful market stalls.

Samut Songkhram

A wide stone staircase with ornate Naga serpent railings leads up to the magnificent golden Mondop of Wat Phra Phutthabat temple in Saraburi, Thailand, under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Saraburi

A white Thai temple in Sing Buri with an ornate, multi-tiered red and gold roof. In the foreground, on a manicured green lawn, are several colourful and whimsical statues, including two large pink rabbits, a rooster, and a black elephant.

Sing Buri

An aerial view of the sprawling temple ruins at Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand, showing numerous ancient brick stupas and pillars set amongst green lawns, trees, and ponds, with mountains visible in the distance under a warm, hazy sky.

Sukothai

A massive, golden dragon statue at the Dragon Descendants Museum in Suphan Buri, Thailand. The dragon is coiled over stylized clouds with its mouth wide open, spouting a cascade of water onto a structure below. Visitors walk on the paved plaza in front of the immense statue under a clear blue sky.

Suphan Buri

An aerial view of the Bhumibol Dam in Tak province, Thailand, a large, curved concrete structure surrounded by lush green mountains and a vast reservoir under a cloudy sky.

Tak

An ornate, multi-tiered golden temple in Uthai Thani, Thailand, featuring intricate gables and numerous pointed spires set against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. In the foreground is a manicured garden with red flowers and green hedges.

Uthai Thani