🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Lopburi is about two and a half hours by car from Bangkok, and once winter arrives it has a seasonal draw: sunflower fields planted across Phatthana Nikhom district, Nikhom Sang Ton Eng subdistrict, and the foot of Khao Jeen Lae. The biggest field is at Khao Jeen Lae, around 355 rai, with Khao Jeen Lae, Khao Kradueng, and Khao Nok Wua ranged behind it — which gives the photos more depth than your average field. We've laid this out as a 2-day, 1-night plan in case you want to stay over for the morning light.
When the flowers actually bloom
The sunflowers around Lopburi don't all bloom at once across the province — farmers plant them plot by plot in staggered batches. The stretch with the most flowers in bloom is late November through mid-January, and the first plots of the year usually open at Khao Jeen Lae. Each plot stays in bloom for roughly 7–10 days, so before you set off, check the Facebook page of the field you're heading to — in some weeks one plot has already faded while another is just opening up.
Timing it for the light
Sunflowers turn to follow the sun. From about 8–10 a.m. the flowers face east, so you get nice backlit shots, the air is still cool, and the crowds are thin. Go in the afternoon and the sun gets harsh while the flowers start to close up. Set your alarm so you reach the field before 9.
Book the activities in your Lopburi trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 1 — Khao Jeen Lae fields + Pa Sak Dam
Fields in the morning, dam at dusk
Day 2 — floating train + a fresh plot + cafes
Floating train and a second round of fields
Cafes and roadside spots around Phatthana Nikhom
Between the fields and the dam, a handful of new garden cafes have opened — leafy, easygoing places that work well for ducking out of the midday sun. These are the ones locals bring up most often.
Baan Kluay & Khai Cafe
A farm cafe near Pa Sak Dam, with a giant yellow banana statue and an oversized egg as photo spots. Savory dishes too — steak, chicken rice, fried banana. Garden entry 40 THB. Open 07:00–20:00.
Taem Suk Coffee & Folk
A cafe set in a grove of teak trees, plenty of space, with bead-stringing and painting activities to keep you busy. Coffee from 50 THB a cup. On Soi 21, Phatthana Nikhom. Open daily 08:00–19:00.
Croft Cafe and Craft
Right off the road but with a woodsy feel inside, and lots of photo corners. Open Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed Wednesdays.
Before you go
- Check the field's page before setting off — call or look up each field's Facebook page to see which plot is blooming, since they bloom on different phases and in some weeks the whole field has already faded.
- Go early to dodge the sun — the flowers face the morning light, the air is cool, and the crowds are thin, so it's better for photos than the afternoon.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen — there's no shade in the middle of a field and the sun gets strong fast.
- Carry cash — plot entry, the tram, and the local stalls mostly take cash, and signal can be weak in spots.
- Mind the narrow lanes when driving — some field entrances are tight paddy-bund roads that are hard to pass on, and arriving late morning can mean a queue at the field gate.
Straight talk
Sunflower fields are a winter thing that really does ride on the weather. Some years late-season rain makes the flowers bloom late or damages them. If one plot isn't looking great when you get there, don't lose heart — ask the locals which plot is peaking right now, and there's usually another one in bloom nearby.
Want a different Lopburi itinerary? See the city guide for every route.
See the Lopburi travel guide →