Hua Hin may have begun as a peaceful beach village, but it has since developed into a bustling port city. This charming beach, dining, and shopping destination are located on the Gulf of Thailand, two and a half hours south of Bangkok. It was once a tiny village that has become a popular tourist attraction (and another world away). Before it became a tourist hotspot, this 60,000-person town was best known for housing Klaikangwon Palace, which served as one of Thailand’s former monarchs’ summer palaces in the 1920s. Today, it is the ideal retreat to some of the nation’s best national parks and most tranquil beaches.If you’re considering dropping by on your trip to Thailand, use our list of these best places to see and things to do in Hua Hin to enjoy more.
Maruekhathaiyawan Palace
The 1920s saw the construction of the all-teak Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, built for King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) as a summer resort. The palace’s innovative architecture, which includes numerous sections connected by long covered hallways and sits on pillars, provides for ideal air circulation and keeps the space cool during the hot and muggy Thai afternoons. A hallway also leads directly to the beach and the former bathing pavilion of the Queen.
Hua Hin Beach
The beach is the main reason visitors to this tranquil hamlet come here. Hua Hin is a much more sedate location where you can lie down on the beach for hours of pleasant sun worshipping, in contrast to other beach towns in Thailand that are all about the nightlife. Despite not being the longest or whitest beach in Thailand, Hua Hin’s four-kilometre stretch of sand makes up for it by being excellent for swimming and providing a wealth of family-friendly activities (kitesurfing and banana boat rides included),
Khao Takiab Hill and Beach
From the top of Khao Takiab hill, you can access a peaceful beach and enjoy stunning views of Hua Hin. This region is home to some of Hua Hin’s top seafood eateries and the city’s most vibrant Buddhist temples.
Hundreds of wild macaques reside at Khao Takiab temple, often known as “Monkey Mountain” by locals. This is a fun experience, but be sure to hold on to your bags and phone as they have developed a skill for stealing goods from tourists.
Cicada Market
Cicada is a well-liked arts and crafts-focused open-air weekend market that attracts both Thai and foreign visitors. It comes alive after sunset. The market is separated into four areas: a home goods and clothing market, an art gallery, a sizable outdoor food court, and live music and entertainment area with bands, dancing troupes, inventive pantomime acts, and live DJs.
Black Mountain Water Park
Even if the water park in Hua Hin is close to the beach, travellers shouldn’t forgo going there while they’re there. Black Mountain offers something for everyone with its nine slides (including a spectacular 17-meter-high vertical slide tower with a heart-stopping straight double-drop) and six pools. The largest wave pool in Thailand, the giant pool designed specifically for water games, or simply relaxing in the lazy river are all options. Afterwards, grab a snack or a beach chair for some shaded relaxation.
Pranburi Mangrove Forest
The largest mangrove forest in Thailand is found in Pranburi Forest Park, which can be reached by car or songtaew (an open, multi-passenger truck taxi) and is located 20 kilometres from Hua Hin. The two elevated wooden boardwalks that wind through dense mangrove growths, across the Pranburi River, and to the ocean—offering glimpses of wildlife and even a small fishing village—are the site’s highlight.
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