Inhabited since the sixth century, Lop Buri, Thailand, has an 11th-century Hindu temple and excellent 12th-century Khmer architecture. One of the oldest cities in Thailand, Lop Buri was once an important part of the Khmer empire before later becoming Ayutthaya's second capital under the reign of King Narai the Great. The town itself is pleasant and only 95 mi/155 km north of Bangkok. Stop by the market to see the temple.
Aside from the ruins, the town is known for its monkeys. Thousands of them swarm all over the town, so much so that an annual festival is held to feed them. Everything can be seen in a few hours, so if you're traveling by train, try to arrange it so you don't need to stay overnight. The train station and most attractions are located in the old town, which is connected to the newer part of the city by bus.
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