Lop Buri Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Wat Sao Thong Thong

Situated on Rue de France, to the north of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, this western style viharn was believed to have originally been built by King Narai the Great as a church for Christian envoys. It was subsequently restored by King Narai the Great, who ordered the replacement of Thai windows with Western-style windows with Gothic-designs in the secondary chapel. Later on, the viharn was converted into a Buddhist temple. It contains a large seated Ayutthaya-style Buddha image.

In addition, assorted Lop-Buri style Buddha images can be found on the surrounding walls.

Wat Yang Na Rangsi (Lop Buri Boat Museum)

Located on the bank of the Lop Buri River, 9 kilometers south of the town center along the Lop Buri-Bang Pahan route is Wat Yang Na Rangsi. The temple is famous for its Buddha images which were made of sandstone and quartz. It is also notable for its wooden sala (a wooden teaching hall) which was built in 1927 in a typical central region style. The sala has been converted into the Lop Buri Boat Museum, where a large collection of local vessels, in particular a one-seat barge, are exhibited.

Bee Farm

Location: Soi 24 Sai Tri, Mo 9 Phatthana Nikhom District, Lop Buri 15220

The center distributes information and knowledge on Bee cultivation in Thailand. It is also a place where natural bees products including royal jelly, honey (from sunflower, natural honey extracts, etc.) and other honey-related products are on sale.

Wat Lai

Located on the bank of Maenam Bang Kham in Tha Wung District, approximately 24 kilometers from town, the Ayutthaya-period temple is famous for its chapel. Decorated with stucco in various designs showcasing Buddhas previous life and his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, the chapel illustrates extraordinary Thai craftsmanship which is truly exquisite. There is also the Phra Si Ari Buddha image which local people have worshipped for generations.

Wat San Paulo 

A Jesuit Church founded by the Portuguese during the reign of King Narai the Great, Wat San Paulo is situated approximately 3 kilometers east of town, off of Ramdaecho Road. The word San Paulo was probably dubbed by Thais especially when they pronounced Saint Paul or Saint Paulo in Thai style. Visible in the site are the remains of a brick wall and stucco tower, as well as an octagonal, 3-story, observatory.

Wat Nakhon Kosa 

Located north of the railway station near San Phra Kan is Wat Nakhon Kosa which may have originally been a Hindu Shrine as the temple was built in 1157 by the Khmers. Later on, U-Thong style cement Buddha images were added on the prangs.

Wat Mani Chonlakhan

Built during the reign of King Mongkut, the temple was originally called Wat Ko Kaew as it was located on a small island. Remains found in the compound include the Chedi Luang Pho Saeng, the ubosot, the viharn and a large Buddha image situated along the riverside.

Vichayen House

The Vichayen House was built at the royal command of King Narai the Great. It initially served as a residence of Chevalier de Chaumont, the first French ambassador to Thailand during the reign of King Louis XIV. Later on, it was occupied by the Greek, Constantine Phaulkon, who later became King Narais advisor and was granted the position of royal minister Chao Phraya Vichayen. Located just 300 meters from Prang Khaek, the compound has many interesting visible ruins including the Roman Catholic Chapel, a hall of residence for ambassador and mission members, brick water tanks and fountains. Admission fee is 30 bahts.

Prang Khaek 

Prang Khaek is the oldest monument of Lop Buri and the oldest Khmer-style Hindu Shrine to be found in Thailands central region. A fascinating small compound of Khmer remains, it consists of the three brick prangs constructed without adjoining corridors. Prang Khaek was restored by King Narai the Great in the 17th century. Recently restored by the Fine Arts Department, it is located on Vichayen Road, near the Narai Ratchaniwet Palace.

Oasis Agro-Farm 

Location: 85/2 Mu 13 Chong Sarika Sub-District, Phatthana Nikhom District, Lop Buri 15220

An agro-tourism farm covering an area of 50 rai, Oasis Agro-Farm was established in 2001 to raise imported ostriches from South Africa. The farm is divided into different zones including a butterfly farm, an ostrich ranch, a sunflower plantation, etc. Visitors can enjoy hand-feeding the ostriches and driving a mini-tractor along the sunflower plantation. Admission fee is 10 bahts/person. For more information, contact Mr. Somchat Singhapol at 01 7808928 or 01 9941256 or you can visit www.oasisfarm.net to get a glimpse of the farm.

Kachornvit Mushroom Farm

It is Located at 71/1 Mu 6 Nikhom Sang Toneng Sub-District, Mueang District. Since its establishment in 1981, the Mushroom Farm has developed its technology to grow high-quality organic mushrooms using EM microbe. Visitors can take a short tour of the farm or sample several kinds of preserved mushrooms which are also available for sale. Farm-stay accommodations are available but reservations must be made in advance. Call 036 652442 or 07 0710683 for more details.

Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Kut Ta Phet Sub-district, Sap langka Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 155 square kilometers or 96,875 rai of land. A flatland amidst a valley, the Sanctuary is 140-846 meters above sea level. This virgin and fertile jungle is where Maenam Lam Sonthi originates and where the nearly-extinct animals dwell.
There are two natural trekking trails which are easy to follow. The first is from Haui Prik to Tham (cave) Pha Pheung (a 3,200-meter trip with a total travel time of approximately 2.5 hours). The second is Haui Pradu trail which starts with a rafting trip to the 1,500-meter trail along Tham Samui Kui and Tham Phra Nok.

(total travel time is approximately 1.5 hours)

Places of interest along both trails include Namtok Pha Phueng, where water gushes down the high cliff all year round. The steep trail winds through the side of the mountain to another part of the waterfall. Nearby is the huge Pha Pheung Cave which is the home of thousand bats. Stalagmites and stalactites are found in the cave which ends at the high cliff. Other attractions include Pha Nam Yoi and Namtok Sam Sai.

To get there by car, use Highway No. 205 from Chai Badan to Lam Sonthi. Drive for 31 kilometers, turn to Kudtapetch Sub-district and proceed for another 37 kilometers.

Please note that visitors are admitted only to certain areas. Contact the Sanctuary Headquarters for more details on 02 562 0760 or visit www.dnp.go.th

Wat Khao Somphot 

This temple is located 38 kilometers from Chai Badan District. There are 19 caves naturally decorated with stalactites and stalagmites in the environs of the mountainous temple. Recommended caves to visit include Tham Yai, Tham Chedi, Tham Phet, Tham Ram Wong, Tham Singto, and etc.

Wat Khao Wongkhot (Bat Cave) 

Covering an area of 30 rai, Wat Khao Wongkhot is situated approximately 4 kilometers from Ban Mi city. The temple is built in the middle of three mountains with the Reclining Buddha enshrined at the foot of Sanam Daeng Mountain. Visitors are encouraged to stop at a pavilion which keeps the un-deteriorated body of Charoen Ditsawanno venerable Bhikku, former abbot of Wat Khao Wongkot who passed away in 1963.

Within the compound of Wat Khao Wongkhot is a bat cave which is considered to be the largest in Lop Buri. With millions of bats inhabiting the cave, the temple receives substantial revenues from the sale of bat dung. The bats will fly out of the cave at 6 p.m. to seek food. It takes up to 2 hours to empty the cave.

Sunflower Field 
 
The largest sunflower field in Thailand is located in Tambon Chong Sarika, Phatthana Nikom District. The panoramic sunflower field has become Lop Buri's major tourist attraction especially during November to January when they are in full bloom. To travel from Bangkok, drive along the Lop Buri-Saraburi Road for approximately 30 kilometers, then turn left into Highway No. 21 and proceed for another 15 kilometers. Traveling from Lop Buri town center, the sunflower field is located approximately 45 kilometers from the town.

Wat Thammikaram 

The canal side temple located on the west bank of Bang Kham canal, Wat Thammikaram was formerly known as Wat Khang Khao (Bat Temple). This was due to the fact that many thousands of bats used to live there. Visitors to this temple usually marvel at its notable murals which can be dated from the mid 1800s.

Ban Kluai 

The village is well known for its carefully woven Mat Mi. The art of weaving Mat Mi has been handed down over generations for more than 135 years. The distinct features of Ban Kluais Mat Mi are its unique pattern and supreme quality.

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