Khao Samo Khon

Wat Khao Samo Khon sits on a limestone ridge in Tha Wung district, Lop Buri, rising out of otherwise flat rice-growing plains. The temple dates to the Ayutthaya period and combines a Ceylonese-style twelve-cornered chedi with several caves built into the ridge — Tham Phra Non holds a large reclining Buddha image roughly 10 metres long, and smaller chambers nearby are used as shrine spaces. A statue of Hanuman carrying a mountain stands among the rice fields at the base, referencing the Ramayana episode said to be the hill’s namesake legend.

The caves and chedi are the main reason to stop, more than the hill itself as a hiking destination — paths connect the temple buildings, cave entrances, and a couple of viewpoints over the surrounding paddies, but this isn’t a serious climb. Entry is free, and there’s no fixed visiting schedule beyond normal temple hours. Lopburi province is nicknamed the “City of Monkeys” for the large macaque troops living around Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan in Lopburi town — but that’s a different, much better-documented site about 15 km away. We found no reliable source confirming a comparable resident monkey population at Khao Samo Khon itself, so don’t plan around seeing them here.

Insider Tip: Bring a torch for the cave interiors — lighting inside Tham Phra Non is limited, and the reclining Buddha and stalactite formations are easier to make out with your own light.

Watch out: Cave floors can be uneven and damp in places, so wear shoes with good grip rather than sandals.

The site works well as a quieter stop away from Lop Buri town’s better-known — and busier — landmarks, such as Phra Narai Ratchaniwet or the King Narai National Museum, both around 20 minutes’ drive away in Mueang Lop Buri district.