10 tips for Hua Hin – what are interesting sights?
Hua Hin is not only very popular with tourists, but also with the Thai population. Most Thai people especially appreciate Hua Hin as a romantic and fashionable holiday destination.
Hua Hin got this image about 100 years ago. The Royal family and well-to-do Thai people, mainly from Bangkok, brought them there holiday Through. It is even the oldest seaside resort in the world Thailand and as a result has plenty of beautiful seaside homes, villas and some lovely vintage summer palaces.
Hua Hin is such a popular destination because it is relatively easy and quick to reach from the capital. On weekends, pay attention to the number plates of the cars, you will see many Thai tourists from Bangkok, who are there for a weekend or a short holiday. Hua Hin attracts visitors from home and abroad by the appearance of a lovely and charming town by the sea. That impression already starts when you arrive at the picturesque and historic station.
Hua Hin does not have a great diversity of sights. And maybe that's a good thing. This seaside resort has therefore largely retained its authenticity. The friendly atmosphere that has made Thailand so popular can still be found here.
We have listed the 10 most important sights in Hua Hin and the surrounding area for you.
1. Hua Hin Railway Station
The beautiful Hua Hin Railway Station was built under the reign of King Rama VI. It is just a short distance from the city center. The adjoining Royal waiting room is also worth a visit, unfortunately you are not allowed to enter. The brightly colored wooden buildings have an authentic Thai concept and design. Yet it also conveys a kind of Victorian feel. Even if you don't travel to Hua Hin by train, you should really take a look. Hua Hin station is the most photographed landmark in Hua Hin.
2. The Maruekhathaiyawan Palace – Cha-Am
Like many historic buildings in Hua Hin, this seaside summer palace was built in the early 1920s under the reign of King Rama VI. It was designed by an Italian architect. It features many verandas, lattices and covered walkways with gold studded teak, from the previously demolished Hat Chao Samran palace. The beautiful passages to the sea are one of the many special features of the complex.
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3. Hua hin night market
The market is located in the city center, between Petchkasem Road and the railway line. It covers a long street and starts at 18:30 PM. The vendors place their stalls along this street and offer various native products. You will generally find what you would expect from a Thai market. When you walk along the stalls you will also come across a variety of excellent seafood restaurants.
4. Wat Huay Mongkol – Khao Takiab
This Buddhist temple is home to a huge statue commissioned by Queen Sirikit. The image of Luang Phor Thuad is even the largest statue in the world. It is located in the middle of a kind of park. Many visitors come to it every weekend. Luang Phor Thuad is a legendary Thai monk. He was revered for his enlightenment and his ability to perform miracles. Many believe that the amulets with his image guarantee safety and prosperity in times of need.
Khao Takiab
5. The Klai Kangwon Palace – Hua Hin
King Rama VII built this palace as a summer home for his queen. It depends beach, north of downtown Hua Hin. It is designed in a European style with a distinct Spanish flair. The palace was completed in 1929. Today it is still used by the royal family as a summer palace, but due to the ill health of the King, they are rarely there. The palace was later expanded by order of the previous king, His Majesty King Bhumibol (Rama IX). Immediately after his marriage in 1950, this summer palace in Hua Hin was the destination of his honeymoon.
6. The Monkey Mountain Khao Takiab – Khao Takiab
Khao Takiab is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The translation of Khoa Takiab is 'Chopstick Mountain'. It may also be referred to as 'Monkey Mountain'. This is due to the many monkeys that live on the mountain. The mountain is also home to the temple on top of the hill. It offers sensational views of Hua Hin. The beginning of the ascent to the temple is marked by a large bell and a staircase leading to the main shrine. This shrine has a structure similar to a pagoda.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
7. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and Tham Phraya Nakhon Pranburi
Many visitors to the region take the time to visit these interesting national parks. The mountains and wetlands surrounding Hua Hin are home to an abundance of wildlife. You can encounter barking deer, crab-eating macaques and chamois, a kind of Asian cross between a goat and an antelope, among others. One of the main attractions is Tham Phraya Nakhon. This is a cave with an opening in the roof. This allows light to shine on a Thai-style pavilion built for King Rama V.
8. Plearn Wan – Hua Hin
Plearn Wan is a themed shopping mall not far from Klai Kang Won Palace. The unique brown wood building features many shops and cafes. There are also some rooms decorated in a 1960s Thai style. Shops and dining options open daily from approximately 10:00 AM. Plearn Wan is known for its 'nang klang plaeng' (open air movies), live music and temple fair festival. This festival is held every Friday through Sunday evening.
Kaeng Krachan National Park
9. Kaeng Krachan National Park – Petchaburi
Kaeng Krachan is considered one of the largest national parks in the Thai kingdom. The nature reserve is 2915 square kilometers in size. The park features many natural attractions such as waterfalls, caves and a reservoir. You can take many walks. Kaeng Krachan is home to many wild animals. It is the best place in Thailand to spot special birds. You will find various camping spots and simple accommodations.
10. Cha Am
If you want to spend a relaxing day amidst an exceptionally beautiful landscape, the Cha-Am forest park is definitely worth a visit. It is located on Phetkasem Road. From the beach, it is easily accessible through Narathip intersection. You can see monkeys, peacocks and interesting birds. Many Thai families and couples in love come here to relax and have a picnic.
We have now been to Hua Hin twice. Love it there.
We are outside the center but within walking distance of the daily night market and for us also walking to the center but you can easily take the local transport there.
We stayed in guesthouse Nilawan both times. Room incl. breakfast 1200 bath per night but there is always negotiable. Ask for Mr. Ford.
Success!
Regards, Tjítske
Forgot: Nilawan is a 50-meter walk from a beautiful wide beach. You can always find a nice quiet spot there and the sea is not deep in the beginning. So also great for children.
But to pick up on Tham Phraya Nakhon, which is a beautiful temple and cave to visit, but as a resident, in the vicinity of there, I must mention that if you want to visit this, you have to pay an entrance fee. If you arrive by boat, you don't have to make much effort to visit the cave… yes, you have to go up the “mountain” to go back down to the cave later. But if you go overland you have to climb another mountain to get back to the same place where you can also get to by boat. The annoying thing is that if you go over land, there is no mention of an entrance fee at the start. And if you don't want to pay that price, you have to make the same scramble again to get back again. If I remember correctly you pay 200 bath as an entrance fee.
The black mountain water park is great fun if you are traveling with children. From Hua Hin you can drive there with your scooter, also a nice trip.
In the overview of sights I still miss the turtle temple of Khao Tao (5 km south of Hua Hin). It is interesting to know that most sights (even the Pala-U waterfalls of Kaeng Krachan National Park, 60 km away) can be visited from Hua Hin with songthaews (cheap collective taxis with 2 seats) that are stationed near the train station.
From Hua Hin you can also make interesting excursions to the palaces and temples of the ancient city of Phetchaburi
Wat Huay Mongkol is not located in Khao takiap the temple is towards Pa-la u Waterfall.
1. You also have a beautiful viewpoint Lek Fai is the name.
2. You have Forest Park then see the Manggroves and it is on the road after Pranburi
3. You have the Temple Khao Tao which is also on the road after Pranburi
4. you even have a Floating Market 2
At numbers 2 and 3 you have to turn left towards Pranburi look after the signs first comes Khao Tao and then Forest Park
mzzl Pakasu
Another nice trip and even free are the two caves Tam Kai Kon and the smaller Tam Lap Le (the latter is very small according to my wife, the first I have been in myself). A very steep 200-step staircase leads to the entrance of a beautiful cave and there is also a lookout point on which a terrace has been built, a container of water to cool you down a bit and a toilet, which, when I visited, looked neat. The cave has a display in the center, which is illuminated by the sun when it is noon.
I thought it was worth it. You just have to be really fit to go up the steep stairs.
By the way, the cave is already signposted from Hua Hin (at least from Soi 112). It is further than Wat Huay Mongkol, so you can combine both in one trip.
And I miss the Cicada market!
There is also an 'Elephant village'. The fishing village at the foot of the monkey mountain is also nice. I once had a few visitors and didn't have time to deal with them all the time and drove to the Entrance of the local beach where there is a Tuk-Tuk station and a driver explained what they wanted to see and if he had any suggestions. He also taped photos of landmarks to his vehicle. It is the ideal transport that would fill a whole day in a fun way. Then you can see a lot for a very reasonable price and spend as much time as you want, the rider will wait. By the way, there are 8 Golf Courses that are worth a visit even without playing Golf due to their location and landscapes.
Plearn Wan no longer exists. Closed just before the epidemic and now closed.
Huay Mongkol is not located in Takiab but about 15 to 20 km outside the center of HH.
The Rajabhakti park is also nice to visit.
Very extensive park with huge statues of former Thai warlords.