Besides the sun, sand and beach, Hua Hin also endows other characteristics;
be it national parks, temples, or some historic places. All of its attractions
can guarantee the graceful charm of this Queen of Tranquility-Hua Hin.
Hua Hin Beach offers the beautiful bay and picturesque backdrop of
green hills, making this a great place to stay. It lies on the east side of Hua
Hin downtown. From here, you can get the pleasant scene of nature and also
people. In the morning, the beach offers an excellent sunrise and the pleasant
sight of groups of fishermen doing their trades at the pier. There is a wide
array of high-end accommodations rising along the beach. Activities are also
abounding to cater tourists, including jet skiing, banana boating, and
parasailing. Trekking on the beach on a horse-side is the pleasant experience.
Prachuab Bay: Situated close to downtown Prachuab Khiri Khan and 90
kilometers from Hua Hin, Ao Prachuab has a long lovely beach, completed with its
strange-shaped islands, enhancing its charming scenery. Accommodations run by
both provincial administration and local municipality are available.
Suan Son Pradipath or Sea Pine Tree Garden lies about 8 kilometers
south of Hua Hin. This beachside area belongs to the Army Welfare Office, which
intended this area to be a convalescent centre for the soldier wounded in
battle. Accommodations are available here. There are buses leaving every 20
minutes from Hua Hin to Suan Son.
Khao Tao stands about 13 kilometers south of Hua Hin. The hill can be
reached by road, the main Petch Ka Sem Road, and then go along a small country
road leading directly to the village at the foot of the hill. There are two
clean, beautiful, and secluded beaches which are good for relaxing, Sai Noi
Beach and Sai Yai Beach (Meaning “small” and “large” beach). At the top
of Khao Tao, there stands a large religious hall for Chinese Buddhists and
worshippers of the Chinese Goddess, “Guan Im”. Her statutes and other
Buddhist figures overlook the sea. Additionally, there is a large reservoir with
fresh water all the year round. It is known as the first Royal Development
Project of its kind; the King Rama IX, the present king initiated to build this
reservoir with his own money in order to provide water for the villagers in this
area who are in short of fresh water.
Khao Takiab or Chopsticks Hill is located on the southernmost tip of
Hua Hin Beach, about three kilometers from the town center. While approaching
the hill from the beach, you can see the majestic statue of the Buddha clinging
to the cliffs and overlooking the sea. On the hill locates a temple of the same
name as the hill. From the hill, you are offered the incredibly picturesque
panorama of Hua Hin coast and Hua Hin downtown. Khao Takiab also provides the
nearby beaches where upon several bungalows are available.
Khao Krilas lies only a short distance on the mainland behind Khao
Takiab. The hill is the siege of Khao Krilas Temple which boasts for a
beautifully elaborate chapel overlooking the mountains.
Khao Hin Lek Fai or Rock, Steel, Fire Hill is the outstanding
viewpoint of the town, providing a picturesque panorama of Hua Hin coast and
town especially in the early morning and crepuscular time. The island also
houses the statue of the King Rama VI.
It is situated approximately three kilometers from Hua Hin downtown.
Koh Singtoh or the Lion Island got its name because it resembles a
crouching lion, lying about a kilometer off Suan Son. The island is visited for
its natural rock formations and vegetations; it is also suitable for fishing and
rock climbing. A boat can be hired at Suan Son or Khao Tao to reach the island.
Talu Island is located within the area of Bang Saphan Noi District,
about 3 kilometers or 15-20 minutes from the provincial office. The Island is
visited for its sparkling white sands and abundant coral reefs. Popular
activities here include fishing, sailing, snorkeling and camping. A large group
of a kind of bat can be viewed in the forest nearby. To get there, boat taxis
are available for hire from Pak Klong village.
Phraya Nakorn Cave is located about 35 kilometers south of Hua Hin by
road. The name of the cave is derived from that one of the governors who was
believed to have taken a shelter here for several days during the rainstorms.
This is a spectacular cave which houses the elaborately beautiful pavilion in
the middle. The pavilion was constructed at the command of King Rama V who
visited the site around 1890. The pavilion also sheltered two other kings’
statues: King Rama VII and King Rama IX together with Her Majesty the Queen.
During the day time, the royal pavilion manifests its impressive scene by being
lit up by the sunray penetrating through some holes on the cave roof. This
pavilion later became the emblem of Prachuab Khiri Khan Province.
Pa La U waterfall is situated in the densely verdant forest in the
area of Kaengkrajan National Park. The surrounding area is teemed with various
kinds of vegetations, and wild animals can be found here. The fall itself
consists of eleven tiers through which the pure white waters run down; there are
pools big enough for swimming in. The proper time for visiting the fall is from
November to April when the fall is at its most beautiful.
Klai Kangwon Palace (Summer Palace) is one of the most attractive
sites in Hua Hin. This palace was erected at the command of King Rama VII in
1926 to be his summer palace. The building was built in
Spanish-style-architecture with a façade overlooking the sea. Its name
means “Far from Worries”. This palace involved in historic event during the
time of change of the country’s regime in 1932. While the King Rama VII was
staying in Klai Kangwon Palace, the People’s Party, which was demanding that
the country’s government be changed from absolute monarchy to democracy, sent
three battle ships to the palace to deliver the message from the People’s
Party to the King. The message informed that the Party had taken over the
administration of the country, but had no desire to make a seizure of the royal
possessions; their main aim was to have a constitutional monarchy, and they
invited the King to return to the capital to reign as King under the new regime.
In order to avoid any confrontation or bloodshed and as the King himself had
already considered such a change, he accepted the demand and returned to
Bangkok. The King Rama VII was then the last monarch under the absolute
monarchy, an then onwards Thailand is under the constitutional monarchy regime.
Until today, the palace is still the favorite summer retreat for the present
king, H.M.King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his royal family. The king used the palace
as the head office during his stay in 1950 to initiate his development projects
in Hua Hin as well as the surrounding districts before expanding to the whole
country. The palace is open to public so long as the Royal family is not in
residence.
Maruekkhathayawan Palace in one of the oldest and most attractive
royal palaces in Thailand, located 14 kilometers from Hua Hin. The palace was
constructed at the command of King Rama VI in 1923 to be his holiday residence.
It was entirely made of teak and was fashioned in Thai-Victorian style. The
palace is open to the public without entrance fee. Open daily from 08.00-16.00.
Hua Hin Railway Station used to be the most beautiful of its kind in
Thailand. It was built in the reign of King Rama VI in order to welcome the King
and his entourage. The outstanding feature of the station is the pavilion
constructed in the reign of King Rama VI; it was originally named as “Plub Pla
Sanamchan”, and it was initially situated at Sanamchan Palace in Nakorn Pathom
Province. This train station is the attractive site in Hua Hin that you should
never miss. Behind the Railway Station to the west stands the Royal Hua Hin Golf
Course, the first ever in Thailand.
Hua Hin Arts and Crafts Center is an old typical house on Naepkhehat
Rd. It houses a collection and exhibition of several contemporary works of Thai
artists: paintings, sculptures and local handicrafts. In the area of the Center,
there is also the botanical garden.
Thanarat Army Base Camp is located on Petchkasem Road, 237 kilometers
from Bangkok. In the Camp, there is a museum displaying the army weapons in each
period. In the west of the camp is the recreational garden, full of flowers and
trees. You can experience the adventurous activities like tower-jumping, rock
climbing, shooting, fishing and camping.
Chat Chai Market is an old famous market among tourists and Thais in
Hua Hin, located on the edge of Petchkasem Road. It was built at the command of
King Rama VII with concrete structure under the seven-curved-roof which
symbolizes King Rama VII. Nowadays, it is the trading place of products as well
as fresh and dried foods.
Hua Hin night market is really a color of nightlife in Hua Hin and a
hub of a wide range of foods: Thai food, sea food, dessert or even typical food
of southern Thailand. Apart from those things, souvenirs are also sold here.
This market represents well a Thai style of life.
Fisherman’s Pier is another place where you can appreciate the
lifestyle of local people. Here, in the evening, many fishermen unload their
catch at the pier. Additionally, you can get a picturesque view of the sea with
boats coming in or going out after unloading.
This article is authored and copyrighted
by Royal Exclusive Travel Co., Ltd.
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