The 6 Best Places to Visit in Lumbini, Nepal
Looking for the best places to visit in Lumbini?
You’ve come to the right place as I loved my visit to Lumbini. It was very hot when I visited but I was happy to finally see the Maya Devi Temple and explore Lumbini!
Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal and it is said to be the birthplace of Buddha.
Lumbini is a small town and it is possible to discover all the attractions in one day. The town is not as well developed to cater to tourists like Pokhara or Chitwan – there are not really any western type of restaurants or bars where you can chill.
As it is possible to explore everything in 1 day, Lumbini can be visited in a short timeframe. Check out below the best things to do and places to visit in Lumbini.
Best Time to Visit Lumbini, Nepal
The best time to visit Lumbini is from Mid-September to November and Mid-February to April. During this time, the weather is not too hot so it makes it more enjoyable to explore the sites.
Lumbini is located in the southern, Tarai region of Nepal, which gets very hot during the monsoon season (June-August) and cold during the winter (December-January). In the winter, it gets so foggy that usually there is no sunlight for days on end.
May: Although the temperature is very hot during May, Buddha’s birthday usually falls in May so it can be an interesting time to visit Lumbini then.
☀️ Prepare for the heat and get your sunscreen here!
How to Get from Kathmandu to Lumbini
By bus: The tourist buses go from the Gongabu Bus Park (Kathmandu) to Bhairawara. Then once you get to Bhairawara, change to a local bus to Lumbini.
The bus ticket usually includes the fare from Bhairawara to Lumbini, so when you have to change buses, you will not have to pay for a new fare between Bhairawara to Lumbini. Tourist bus ticket prices start from Rs. 1,300.
🚗 For more information, check out how to travel to Lumbini here!
Best Places to Visit in Lumbini, Nepal
1. Visit the Maya Devi Temple
- Entry fee: Rs. 500
The Maya Devi Temple is a major attraction and is one of the most famous places to visit in Lumbini. The temple is within the Sacred Garden, which is such a peaceful, quiet garden.
The birthplace of Buddha is said to be inside the Maya Devi Temple and it is marked by the Marker Stone. You can go inside the temple and you will see the Marker Stone too.
Within the Sacred Garden, there is also the Sacred Pond, Bodhi Tree and the Ashoka Pillar. The Ashoka Pillar was built to commemorate the birthplace of Buddha by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC.
2. See the Eternal Peace Flame of Lumbini
The Eternal Peace Flame is a little bit of walk away from the Sacred Garden.
There is a path leading here from the Maya Devi Temple although make sure that you have a plenty of water with you, as it can be a heavy walk if the weather is hot.
3. Visit the Lumbini Monastic Site
The Lumbini Monastic Site is over a pretty big area and is divided into the East and West Monastic Zones.
In the West Zone, there are 18 monasteries and 2 meditations centres, including the Great Lotus Stupa and the Chinese Monastery.
The East Zone is slightly smaller than the West Zone but still includes 9 monasteries. The impressive Myanmar Golden Temple and the Thai Royal Monastery are located in the East Zone. Most of the monasteries are open to the public and you can visit the public areas.
The Monastic Zone is across a big area, so it is best to hire a tuktuk to take you around the monasteries. There are also bicycles for hire in Lumbini, if you prefer to cycle around the Monastic Site.
4. Visit the World Peace Pagoda
The World Peace Pagoda was built by Japanese Buddhists, designed to inspire peace and unite humanity.
It is on the far end of Lumbini but if you hire a tuktuk or bicycle, it is not far from the Monastic Site.
5. Hire a Bicycle and Discover Lumbini on Bike
One way to discover the town and the Monastic Site is by bicycle. As the Monastic Site is across a large area, you can rent a bike and see the different temples at your own pace.
6. Check Out the Lumbini Museum
Although I did not visit the museum, it is a great stop to learn more about Buddhism and see artefacts related to the development of Buddhism.
The building of the museum is very unique, and I will be sure to visit it next time I am in Lumbini.
FAQ: Best Places to Visit in Lumbini, Nepal
What is Lumbini famous for?
Lumbini is famous as it is said to be the birthplace of Buddha.
A famous temple in Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple which has the Marker Stone inside. The Marker Stone signifies the place where Buddha was said to be born.
What is the famous temple in Lumbini, Nepal?
The most famous temple in Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple. It has the Marker Stone inside which marks the birthplace of Buddha.
What is the best time to visit Lumbini, Nepal?
The best time to visit Lumbini is from Mid-September to November and Mid-February to April. The weather is the most pleasant during this time.
On the one hand, Lumbini gets extremely hot and humid during the monsoon season (June-August). On the other hand, Lumbini gets very cold during the winter.
Is Lumbini worth visiting?
I would say that Lumbini is worth visiting if you are curious to see the Maya Devi Temple and the place that is said to mark the birthplace of Buddha.
Apart from the Maya Devi Temple, there are a few other tourist attractions in Lumbini such as the Monastic Zone, World Peace Pagoda, Eternal Peace Flame and the Lumbini Museum.
How many days do you need to see Lumbini, Nepal?
Lumbini is a small town and you can explore everything in one day. Once you explore the main attractions, there is not much else to do in Lumbini.
The town is not yet as developed for tourists such as Pokhara or Sauraha (Chitwan), so there is not any place to chill.
With that in mind, you can probably visit Lumbini as a 1 day/2 nights trip.
What are the best things to do in Lumbini, Nepal?
The best things to do in Lumbini include visiting the Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini Monastic Zone, World Peace Pagoda, Eternal Peace Flame and the Lumbini Museum.
What are the major Lumbini tourist attractions?
The Lumbini tourist attractions include the Maya Devi Temple, which is said to be the birthplace of Buddha. Apart from the Maya Devi Temple, other attractions include the World Peace Pagoda, Eternal Peace Flame, Lumbini Monastic Zone and the Lumbini Museum.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lumbini is worth visiting if you are curious to see the Maya Devi Temple, which is said to be the birthplace of Buddha.
Apart from the Maya Devi Temple some other places to visit include the Lumbini Monastic Zone, Eternal Peace Flame, World Peace Pagoda and the Lumbini Museum.
The best time to visit Lumbini is from Mid-September to November and Mid-February to April. The weather is the most pleasant during this time as it is not too hot and not too cold either.
Nepal Trip Planning
Book your flight to Nepal: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Nepal: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Nepal: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Nepal: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.
