Sights of Hua Hin, Thailand: must-see attractions

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, Malaysia to the south, and Myanmar and the Andaman Sea to the west. The length of the coastline is more than 2600 kilometers. Coasts are flat. The largest islands are: Phuket in the Andaman Sea, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. And Hua Hin is a tourist city located on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 200 km south of Bangkok.

General information

Hua Hin boasts a beautiful 4 km beach. It is here that the best five-star hotels are located. Understanding what to see in Hua Hin, you should pay attention to the magnificent palaces, including Klai Kangwon, as well as the city station. "Hua Hin" means "big stone head" in translation, although it has much more in common with the many sandy beaches than with stones.

History

Finding out what to see in Hua Hin andsurroundings, it is worth taking into account the history of this settlement. This city was founded by peasants in the 19th century as a result of migration due to drought. This area became a resort only when King Rama VII built his summer residence and hotel here.

Location

The city stretches from the sea to the top of the Tanaosi mountain range, the highest point of which is the mountains of Myanmar, with Khao Luang peak (1494 m above sea level). The rivers Pran Buri and Klong Kui Buri flow down from the mountains, bringing water to fertile soils and caves (great for kayaking and canoeing). The undoubted attraction of this region is the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, created in 1966 to protect the heritage of the country's largest freshwater wetlands and mangrove forests. Picturesque caves are also protected on the territory of the park, of which, perhaps, the most famous, which, by the way, is a very remarkable and pleasant excursion, Phraya Nakhon Cave. In its vicinity is one of the main attractions of Hua Hin in Thailand - a pavilion erected by King Rama V.

The original symbol of the entire province is the rayan tree and flower, as well as the so-called iron tree, which is an extremely valuable seasoning in Asian countries. The cheapest way to travel around Thailand is by bus or boat, you can visit the beautiful sandy beaches of Ao Manao, the famous place in Hua Hin in Thailand. Here is the mythical footprint of the Buddha, as well as the Museum of the fight against the Japanese army duringtime of World War II. Another attraction of Hua Hin is the annual elephant festival.

Temperatures here never drop below 20 degrees Celsius, but rainfall is non-stop during the rainy season.

Nature

Explaining what to see in Hua Hin and its surroundings, tourists wrote in the reviews that this city is a place where you can truly relax. There are many hotels here and the prices are really varied. If someone likes to spend time on the beach, wake up and fall asleep, hearing the sound of the waves, and at the same time wants to live away from Bangkok, Hua Hin, according to tourists, is perfect for them!

Residences

You can always go sightseeing in this city (hotels often offer free travel during certain hours). In the town itself, it is worth going to the sea, in the area of the main entrance to the beach there are picturesque rocks, ideal for a photo shoot! Another interesting place is the recently created retro village - Mercado de Plervan, where you can have a nice meal, shop or spend the night.

Understanding what to see in Hua Hin with children, it is worth taking into account that there are also two summer residences of the King of Thailand in the city. One of them, in the town itself, can not be visited, because it is used by the monarch all the time, and you cannot go inside.

However, the second - Marigadaivan - is located a little north of the city itself and is open to the public. Worth seeing what traditional Thai houses look likeroyal family. Tea House seems especially heavenly, where you can drink traditional Thai tea and taste local sweets.

It is important to remember that there are no problems with renting a car in the city, even without prior booking it can be done (it costs about 800-1000 baht per day, or 1700-2090 rubles). It is worth getting to the palace by car, which can also be used to get to other interesting places.

Winery

And if you already have a car, then it's a sin not to go to one of the few wineries in this country. This is an important attraction of Hua Hin. The Thais do not have a developed tradition of winemaking, but they are learning all the time, and their wines, at least from here, are really good!

There are some very interesting sights in Monsoon Valey itself. Here you can taste wines, walk along the slopes full of grapes, or have a delicious lunch. Monsoon Valey is located in a very picturesque place, no one regrets visiting this Hua Hin attraction.

Temple in the cave

One of the places that are recommended for tourists staying in this city is the Phraya Nakhon cave temple. It can only be reached by boat. But this Hua Hin landmark is extremely beautiful.

On foot, those who wish to visit it will have to overcome about 500 meters, but this is a path along stone steps along a steep staircase, and shortness of breath is guaranteed. Along the way, there will be stops at several viewing platforms that perfectly compensate for such a load. After about half an hourintense walk man gets to the goal.

In the reviews, tourists are advised not to forget to take water with them, and more, especially on hot days. Thus, those who visited the temple said that one group of 10 people had only one small bottle of water for everyone. It’s good that there was a nurse nearby - she provided first aid to the unconscious person, and due to the fact that others had bottles of water, and someone had ice water in a thermo mug, the person did not end his life in this place. After half an hour of resuscitation, the arrived rescuers of the national park, together with the ambulance staff, took the tourist to the hospital. Apparently he had heart problems. However, this "climbing" is not recommended for people with heart conditions.

The cave was discovered more than 200 years ago by the then ruler of the area, who, in search of shelter before the storm, hid in its depths. The name comes just from his name.

The huge cave consists of three grottoes. In two of them, the limestone vaults, subject to erosion, have collapsed, forming holes through which sunlight and rain enter here. Therefore, lush bushes and trees have grown here.

There are two holes in the vault of the first cave, and the bridge between them is the so-called Dead Bridge (Dead Bridge, sometimes it is called even more menacingly - “Death Bridge”).

In a large cave is a red and gold building, something like a small temple. It was built by order of King Rama V after his visit here in 1890. The pavilion itselfimpressive, but from the outside, the rays of the sun penetrate here and, falling on the pavilion, create indescribable visual effects, and beautiful stalactites and a grove growing in the cave add magic. According to tourists, no photos or videos will convey its power and beauty. You have to see it with your own eyes.

Palace

Maruehathayawan Palace near Hua Hin was built by King Rama VI in 1923 as a seaside summer residence.

He ordered teak wood to be used for the construction. A new palace was erected overlooking the sea in the Cha-Am area. The location was convenient because Cha-Am was by then connected to Bangkok by rail, and the area proved to be beneficial to he alth due to the presence of forests and fresh sea air.

Full teakwood

The palace is built of teak wood and has a very attractive architectural style that completely distinguishes the building from other Thai palaces. The overall design was developed by the king himself, and the palace became a very comfortable place with excellent ventilation and magnificent niches. Ercole Manfredi, an Italian architect, was hired to complete the project. King Rama VI used the palace as a summer residence for himself and other members of the royal family until his death in 1925.

Love and Hope

The house, which is also called "the house of love and hope", consists of three sections connected by long paths. Two long covered corridors connect the palace to the beach, one from the king's private living quarters and one from the women's quarters.parts. King Vajiravudh, who ruled from 1920 to 1925, was a great poet and wrote from his office overlooking the sea during his stay in Maruehathayawan.

His consort, Queen Indrasakdi Sachi, lived in the Samundra Biman section, which consisted of a series of rooms including a living room, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom, as well as a corridor leading to a bathing pavilion on the beach.

The Sevakamart section was used for official receptions, there were offices and a theater where performances were staged. When the royal family came to Maruehathayawan for the summer, furniture was transported there from Bangkok.

After the death of the king in 1925, the palace remained deserted. Today it has been completely restored and tourists can still see some of the furniture from the king's chambers, his desk with pencils and paper, sofa and bed. A walk through the palace provides a unique insight into how the Thai royal family lived almost a hundred years ago. After visiting the complex, you can take a walk along the nature trail in the mangrove forest.

Maruehetahayawan is located almost halfway between Cha Am and Hua Hin in Phetchaburi Province, about 10 kilometers south of Cha Am and 15 kilometers north of Hua Hin.

From anywhere you can easily and quickly get here by taxi. There is an orange local bus between Cha Am and Hua Hin that stops on request.

You can't take pictures inside the premises. It is important to dress appropriately, which means no short pants or short skirts,sleeveless shirts. Guests can rent a bike to explore the mangrove forest.