Lopburi City Bicycle Track 1

This bicycle tour has been designed to bring you around the most important sites of the city of Lopburi. Lopburi was an important ancient city initially known as Lavo. The Yonok Chronicles stated that Phra Chao Kalvanadith (King Kalavarnadish) from Taxila founded the City of Lavo in 648 AD in the territory of the Mon Dvaravati Kingdom. During the reign of King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, the area in the Menam Basin centered on Lopburi came under the Khmer Empire. The Khmer outpost became a powerful centre. Witnesses of this period are Phra Prang Sam Yot, the Phra Kan shrine, Wat Nakhon Kosa and Prang Khaek. The Khmer Empire though started to wane at the end of the 12th century and with it, its centre in the Meanam basin also weakened. In the middle of the 13th century, the region gained its independence. Lopburi - for a long time been associated with the Angkorian civilization - was the major regional centre of Theravada Buddhist learning at that time. With the founding of the city of Ayutthaya in 1351 by Uthong, Lopburi lost its prominence. During the reign of King Narai (r. 1656-1688) it became back again a royal capital. Most of the architecture of that time reflects the mixture of Thai and Western styles. Remnants of this period are the Narai Ratchaniwet Palace, the Vichayen House, Wat Phra Si Rattana Maha That, the Chai Chana Songkram Fortress and the Phra Thinang Yen.

The bicycle track is 7 Km long and is paved all the way.

If you are interested in viewing photographs of the temples in advance or would like additional historic information about these ruins, visit our website at www.ayutthaya-history.com.

Tips and Warnings

Bicycles can be rented in different locations on Soi 2 Naresuan Rd, which is the starting point of this tour. Bike rental costs 40-50 Baht (about $1.5) per day on average, which makes bike touring an inexpensive way to see the city. Ayutthaya’s terrain is mostly flat and easy to ride, but many streets and side roads are poorly marked, so use the map to simplify navigation.

Be cautious as traffic in and around Ayutthaya is sometimes chaotic and dangerous. Motor vehicles often fail to see cyclists and pedestrians, so you must closely watch out for them. Motorcycles are a particularly hazardous cause of local accidents. Dogs and potholes can also be dangerous, especially in remote areas. Weather can be very hot, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids and wear sun block. It is inadvisable to drive at night due to the lack of lighting and occasional recklessness of motor traffic.

The theft of bicycles is uncommon in Ayutthaya, but backpacks and cameras have been stolen on rare occasions. It is best to keep valuables with you when visiting the historic sites on route.

Who are we?

Ayutthaya Biking Adventure [ABA] is a sporting branch of Ayutthaya Historical Research. ABA’s objective is to promote bicycle tourism in Ayutthaya. Bicycling is the perfect outdoor recreation to explore Ayutthaya's city island and its surroundings. More information can be found at: http://aybiad.yolasite.com/

In case of emergency or accident:

Contact the Lopburi Tourist Police Station: (036) 424515 or 1155.

Disclaimer

ABA will not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever regarding the suggested tracks. It is the responsibility of the user to take the necessary precautions to avoid any physical injury, traffic incident, animal attack, theft, and damage to equipment. Any reliance on the ABA's information is therefore strictly at own risk. Read our full disclaimer at website http://aybiad.yolasite.com

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