There are numerous sightseeing opportunities in and around Hua Hin and Cha-am. In addition to several wats, temples and palaces, there are natural attractions like caves, waterfalls, isolated beaches, mangrove swamps, mountain vistas and a variety of animal life. Although it is possible to use public transport to reach some of the attractions, those without a set of wheels often take one or more tours operated by one of the tour operators in the area.
Built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin's railway station and the adjacent Royal Waiting Room are attractive and brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design, but somehow manage to have a 'Victorian' feel. Even if you don't arrive at the resort by train, go and have a look.
Opened in 1923 as the Railway Hotel, this massive wooden structure is one of a handful of grand Victorian colonial style hotels that have survived the ravages of time. Located right on the beach, it sets the mood for all of Hua Hin. Meticulously restored and maintained by Sofitel, it is worth stopping in for a cocktail and a close-up look.
Chatchai day market, located in the centre of town adjacent to Dechanuchit Road, just west of Phetkasem Road, is always a great place to eat and shop with the locals. In the evening additional food vendors set up along Dechanuchit Road between Chatchai market and the Night Plaza, a market devoted primarily to tourist shops.
The combination of these three market areas, provides Hua Hin with one of Thailand's largest and most bustling night markets. There is something for everyone here, including handicrafts, traditional Thai food and numerous vendors several selling seafood for much less than you would find it in a standard restaurant. Another market worth visiting is the Pae Mae market. It appears only on Tuesdays and can be found near the driving range at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club. Here you can watch locals shop for anything that can be transported to a once a week marketplace. It's great fun and offers a slice of Thai life sometimes missed by visitors.
Like so much in Hua Hin this summer seaside palace was built in the early 1920's during the reign of King Rama VI. It was designed by an Italian architect with lots of verandas, latticework and covered boardwalks using golden teak from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace. Open daily from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, it is located 9km south of Cha-am at the Camp Rama VI military compound.
Located at the southern end of Hua Hin's main beach, this 227m rocky hill provides striking views of Hua Hin and nearby Singto (lion) Island. There is a temple and restaurant on the hill, which can now be reached by a newly constructed road. There is a 20m golden Buddha and several excellent restaurants at the base of the hill. Beware of the larcenous monkeys at the shrine near the Buddha; they have been known to run off with people's cameras.
Khao Hin Lek Fai
This hill is found 1.5km to the west of Hua Hin. A trip up the steep road to the top provides a scenic view of the town, beach, Gulf of Thailand and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. There is a small park on the hilltop with trails leading to the various viewpoints.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Although it is 60km south of Hua Hin and 40km south of Pranburi, many visitors to the region spend time at this interesting national marine park. The name means three hundred mountain peaks, a reference to its numerous limestone peaks between which there are marshes and mangrove swamps. The mountains and wetlands contain an abundance of wildlife, including barking deer, crab eating macaque and serow, an Asian goat-antelope. The park is also home to more than 300 resident and migratory birds. One of the park's most popular attractions is Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave with a hole in its roof that allows a shaft of light to shine upon a Thai-style pavilion built for King Rama V.
Panee Butterfly Farm
Located opposite Klai Kangwon Palace, Panee Butterfly farm is home to loads of butterflies and birds. There are also lots of orchids and local plants. This place is a good change of pace from the beach and educational experience for the kids. Open daily from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)
There are two places in Hua Hin to watch Thai boxing, a sport that involves 'punching' with elbows, knees and feet as much as with the hands. Matches are held at the Grand Arena in front of the Grand Hotel on Thursday and Sunday nights and at Mr. Chop Rawee's Thai Boxing Garden near the City Beach Hotel on Tuesday and Friday. The matches at both venues begin at 9.00 PM and finish up a little before midnight.
Klai Kangwon Palace
King Rama VII built this palace located on the beach just north of central Hua Hin as a summer home for his Queen. Designed in a European-style with a Spanish flare it was completed in 1929 and is still used by the Royal Family as a residence. In addition to extremely attractive buildings and furnishings, there are carefully manicured gardens and a fascinating shell museum When the Palace isn't being used, it is open to the public each day between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM.
Kaeng Krachan National Park
With an area of 3000-sq-km, this is Thailand's largest national park. Located primarily in the mountains adjacent to Myanmar, and only 40km from Hua Hin, it has lots of rain and an abundance of rainforests and some grassland areas. Animal life includes deer, tigers, gibbons, bears, hornbills, wild elephants and dusky langurs. One of the park's most popular attractions is the eleven-tiered Pa-La-U Yai and Pa-La-U Noi waterfall. This park is difficult to access so the falls are best visited on an organized tour. Several companies is Hua Hin provide tours to the falls and other areas of the park.
Built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin's railway station and the adjacent Royal Waiting Room are attractive and brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design, but somehow manage to have a 'Victorian' feel. Even if you don't arrive at the resort by train, go and have a look.
Opened in 1923 as the Railway Hotel, this massive wooden structure is one of a handful of grand Victorian colonial style hotels that have survived the ravages of time. Located right on the beach, it sets the mood for all of Hua Hin. Meticulously restored and maintained by Sofitel, it is worth stopping in for a cocktail and a close-up look.
Chatchai day market, located in the centre of town adjacent to Dechanuchit Road, just west of Phetkasem Road, is always a great place to eat and shop with the locals. In the evening additional food vendors set up along Dechanuchit Road between Chatchai market and the Night Plaza, a market devoted primarily to tourist shops.
The combination of these three market areas, provides Hua Hin with one of Thailand's largest and most bustling night markets. There is something for everyone here, including handicrafts, traditional Thai food and numerous vendors several selling seafood for much less than you would find it in a standard restaurant. Another market worth visiting is the Pae Mae market. It appears only on Tuesdays and can be found near the driving range at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club. Here you can watch locals shop for anything that can be transported to a once a week marketplace. It's great fun and offers a slice of Thai life sometimes missed by visitors.
Like so much in Hua Hin this summer seaside palace was built in the early 1920's during the reign of King Rama VI. It was designed by an Italian architect with lots of verandas, latticework and covered boardwalks using golden teak from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace. Open daily from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, it is located 9km south of Cha-am at the Camp Rama VI military compound.
Located at the southern end of Hua Hin's main beach, this 227m rocky hill provides striking views of Hua Hin and nearby Singto (lion) Island. There is a temple and restaurant on the hill, which can now be reached by a newly constructed road. There is a 20m golden Buddha and several excellent restaurants at the base of the hill. Beware of the larcenous monkeys at the shrine near the Buddha; they have been known to run off with people's cameras.
Khao Hin Lek Fai
This hill is found 1.5km to the west of Hua Hin. A trip up the steep road to the top provides a scenic view of the town, beach, Gulf of Thailand and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. There is a small park on the hilltop with trails leading to the various viewpoints.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Although it is 60km south of Hua Hin and 40km south of Pranburi, many visitors to the region spend time at this interesting national marine park. The name means three hundred mountain peaks, a reference to its numerous limestone peaks between which there are marshes and mangrove swamps. The mountains and wetlands contain an abundance of wildlife, including barking deer, crab eating macaque and serow, an Asian goat-antelope. The park is also home to more than 300 resident and migratory birds. One of the park's most popular attractions is Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave with a hole in its roof that allows a shaft of light to shine upon a Thai-style pavilion built for King Rama V.
Panee Butterfly Farm
Located opposite Klai Kangwon Palace, Panee Butterfly farm is home to loads of butterflies and birds. There are also lots of orchids and local plants. This place is a good change of pace from the beach and educational experience for the kids. Open daily from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)
There are two places in Hua Hin to watch Thai boxing, a sport that involves 'punching' with elbows, knees and feet as much as with the hands. Matches are held at the Grand Arena in front of the Grand Hotel on Thursday and Sunday nights and at Mr. Chop Rawee's Thai Boxing Garden near the City Beach Hotel on Tuesday and Friday. The matches at both venues begin at 9.00 PM and finish up a little before midnight.
Klai Kangwon Palace
King Rama VII built this palace located on the beach just north of central Hua Hin as a summer home for his Queen. Designed in a European-style with a Spanish flare it was completed in 1929 and is still used by the Royal Family as a residence. In addition to extremely attractive buildings and furnishings, there are carefully manicured gardens and a fascinating shell museum When the Palace isn't being used, it is open to the public each day between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM.
Kaeng Krachan National Park
With an area of 3000-sq-km, this is Thailand's largest national park. Located primarily in the mountains adjacent to Myanmar, and only 40km from Hua Hin, it has lots of rain and an abundance of rainforests and some grassland areas. Animal life includes deer, tigers, gibbons, bears, hornbills, wild elephants and dusky langurs. One of the park's most popular attractions is the eleven-tiered Pa-La-U Yai and Pa-La-U Noi waterfall. This park is difficult to access so the falls are best visited on an organized tour. Several companies is Hua Hin provide tours to the falls and other areas of the park.
