Top places to visit in Lumbini

• Maya Devi Temple

  buddhist_temple · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The sanctum marking the exact birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, enclosing the marker stone and the Nativity relief; the sacred pond and Ashoka Pillar stand alongside. UNESCO World Heritage core.

• Ashoka Pillar & Sacred Garden

  archaeological_site · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, whose inscription confirms Lumbini as the Buddha's birthplace, standing amid the Sacred Garden ruins and the Puskarini pond.

• World Peace Pagoda (Lumbini)

  buddhist_stupa · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A tall white Japanese-built peace stupa at the northern end of the Lumbini monastic zone, with golden Buddha statues at each cardinal point and a reflecting approach.

• Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery

  buddhist_monastery · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  An elegant white marble wat in classic Thai style, one of the most photographed monasteries in Lumbini's international monastic zone.

• Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery

  buddhist_monastery · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A grand Chinese-style monastery of tiled roofs, courtyards and dragon motifs modelled on the imperial temples of China, in the western monastic zone.

• Dae Sung Suk Ga Sa (Korean Temple)

  buddhist_monastery · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A large Korean Buddhist monastery in Lumbini offering accommodation to pilgrims, with a striking main hall and serene courtyards.

• Myanmar Golden Temple

  buddhist_monastery · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the oldest monasteries in Lumbini, crowned by the gilded Lokamani Pula Pagoda in Burmese style modelled on Yangon's Shwedagon.

• Great Lotus Stupa (German Monastery)

  buddhist_stupa · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The German Tara Foundation's ornate stupa in Lumbini, richly decorated inside with Tibetan Buddhist murals and a lotus-form exterior.

• Lumbini Museum

  archaeology_museum · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A museum near the monastic zone tracing Buddhist history and the archaeology of Lumbini, with coins, manuscripts, sculptures and models of the sacred sites.

• Tilaurakot (Ancient Kapilvastu)

  archaeological_site · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The excavated ruins of Kapilvastu, the palace-city where Prince Siddhartha grew up, with brick foundations, gateways and a moat set in quiet countryside west of Lumbini.

Things to do

• Lumbini Monastic Zone Cycle Tour Cultural · 4 h · from NPR 1,800 per person
• Sacred Garden & Maya Devi Guided Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from NPR 1,500 per person
• Guided Meditation Session Wellness · 1.5 h · from NPR 1,000 per person
• Tilaurakot (Kapilvastu) Excursion Cultural · 4 h · from NPR 2,500 per person

Day trips and tours

• Lumbini Monastic Zone & Tilaurakot Day Tour 7 h · from NPR 3,500

Where to stay in Lumbini

• Lumbini Bazaar about NPR 4,500 per night

  The practical base for Lumbini with the widest choice of hotels and eateries, a short ride or cycle from the sacred garden.

• Sacred Garden & Monastic Zone about NPR 2,000 per night

  The tranquil heart of Lumbini around the Maya Devi temple and international monasteries — some monasteries offer pilgrim lodging.

Hotels

• Buddha Maya Garden Hotel 4-star · NPR 8,000 to NPR 15,000 per night
• Hotel Nirvana 3-star · NPR 4,500 to NPR 9,000 per night
• Lumbini Village Lodge 2-star · NPR 1,500 to NPR 3,500 per night
• Zambala Hotel & Resort 3-star · NPR 4,000 to NPR 8,000 per night

Where to eat

• Lumbini Garden Restaurant Nepali, Indian · about NPR 500 per person
• Om Restaurant Lumbini Indian, Nepali, South Indian · about NPR 450 per person
• Nirvana Restaurant Nepali, Indian, Continental · about NPR 900 per person

Getting to Lumbini

Airport: Lumbini (Gautam Buddha Intl) (BWA)

How visitors arrive in Lumbini

• Bus or taxi from Sunauli border By road from Sunauli · common

  Buses and taxis run from the Sunauli border crossing to Lumbini; this is the main overland route. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Shared jeep and bus via Bhairahawa By road from Bhairahawa · common

  Travellers reach Bhairahawa then take a bus to Lumbini. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly to Bhairahawa airport By air from Kathmandu · common

  Bhairahawa airport is the nearest, with flights from Kathmandu. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Road from Gorakhpur, India By road from Gorakhpur · possible

  Gorakhpur in India is the nearest large rail and bus hub, with onward road travel. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Bhairahawa to Lumbini bus unconfirmed

  The nearest airport serves Bhairahawa, with flights from Kathmandu. From town, buses run to Lumbini; the last bus back leaves in the afternoon. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Sights are spread out; bicycles and cycle rickshaws are practical, and bikes can be rented near the main gate. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Bus from Sunauli border unconfirmed

  From the Sunauli border, take a bus to Bhairahawa and change to a local bus for Lumbini Bazaar. Many long-distance buses drop at Buddha Chowk rather than the main gate, so confirm your stop. Source: thelongestwayhome.com

• Taxi from Sunauli or Butwal

  Taxis from the Sunauli border are described as a good option. Agree the fare before departing. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Sights are spread out; bicycles and cycle rickshaws are practical, and bikes can be rented near the main gate. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle

  Bicycles can be rented from hotels and from a spot near the main gate, beside the cycle rickshaw stand.

• Cycle Rickshaw useful for some trips

  Cycle rickshaws are a practical way to cover the spread-out sights, with a stand near the main gate.

• Taxi useful for some trips

  Taxis are one way to reach Lumbini from the Sunauli border crossing, and the fare should be agreed beforehand.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Donation-book pressure at monasteries

  Monastic Zone

  Individuals with official-looking donation ledgers pressure visitors into large "temple donations".

  How to avoid it: Give only at official donation boxes; a donation is never compulsory to enter.

Best time to visit Lumbini

• Jan 24°C
• Feb 28°C
• Mar 34°C
• Apr 39°C
• May 41°C
• Jun 39°C
• Jul 34°C
• Aug 33°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 31°C
• Nov 28°C
• Dec 24°C

More in Nepal

• Kathmandu
• Pokhara
• Bhaktapur
• Patan (Lalitpur)
• Sauraha (Chitwan)
• Nagarkot

Frequently asked questions about Lumbini

How many days do you need in Lumbini?

A typical trip to Lumbini is 1-2 days.

What are the main places to visit in Lumbini?

Places covered in our Lumbini guide include Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar & Sacred Garden, World Peace Pagoda (Lumbini), Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery, Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery.

Where should I stay in Lumbini?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Lumbini: Lumbini Bazaar, Sacred Garden & Monastic Zone.

How do I get around Lumbini?

Ways to get around Lumbini covered in our guide: Bicycle, Cycle rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Lumbini?

Scams reported to us for Lumbini include Donation-book pressure at monasteries. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Lumbini?

Average daytime highs in Lumbini run from 24°C in Jan to 41°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Lumbini?

The nearest airport to Lumbini has the code BWA.