Facts
- Elevation: 644 m (2,113 ft)
- Prominence: 568 m
- Peak category:
Spesial - Region:
Central Thailand - Coordinates: 14.9617, 100.7105
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Khao Wong Prachan (aka Khao Wong Phrachan) is the highest peak in Lopburi Province and crowned by the mountain temple Wat Khao Wong Prachan. It is famed locally as the “Heaven Mountain” with 3,790 stepped stairs leading to the summit shrine, making it a strenuous yet popular spiritual climb rather than a remote wilderness trek.
The ascent via thousands of uniformly spaced steps is lined with resting pavilions every few hundred steps, with vendors for refreshments, and signage counting progress by stairs. The climb typically takes 2–3 hours up, 1 hour down. Visitors ascend to worship the Sacred Buddha’s Footprint (4th Buddha footprint) and enjoy panoramic views over Lopburi’s hills and reservoir. Many locals believe people who complete the climb will have prayers answered.
Practicalities
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- Getting there: The temple is located near Khok Samrong District, approximately 28 km from Lopburi town via local roads. The walk up starts near the temple base; public transport isn’t available, so visitors typically drive or arrange private transport to the base of the staircases.
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- Permits: There is no admission fee to visit Wat Khao Wong Prachan or climb Khao Wong Prachan. Access is available year-round, though during the annual festival (e.g. late January to February) the site is open 24 hours and foot traffic intensifies.
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- Water sources: Several rest shelters along the stairways have small vendor stalls offering bottled drinks and snacks (prices rise steeply the higher you climb). There are no natural water sources on the mountain so climbers should carry sufficient water.
Local Average Monthly Rainfall (in Ayutthaya) 
Location
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Origins and Meaning
The name “Khao Wong Prachan” (เขาวงพระจันทร์) translates as “Moon-Girdled Hill”, derived from a local legend of Thao Kok Khanak and Nang Prachan linked to the Ramakien (Ramayana) epic. Local folklore says the mountain once served as a resting place for Nang Prachan caring for her wounded father, Thao Kok Khanak. Later renamed by an enlightened monk for its surrounding ‘ring’ effect and holy nature, the mountain now holds the temple and the Buddha’s footprint relic.