Hua hin city and its main attractions. Monkey Mountain Khao Takiab. The main attractions of Hua Hin
In this article, I have collected the most interesting sights of Hua Hin, because this city is very much underestimated, and it was in this region that all the kings of Thailand built their palaces since 1800! They prayed in the local caves and preserved the local nature.
I will immediately try to describe for you how everything works: there are very few attractions in Hua Hin itself, it’s rather simple small resort with good clean beaches, where the King of Thailand and half of Bangkok come to rest for the weekend.
When my wife and I came here for a week to consider it as a wintering city, we fled after 3 days. We were completely disappointed because we expected to see a "Piece of Europe in Asia", in fact, this review appeared. But I had to come back because I forgot my passport at the guesthouse =) I ended up driving around a bit and fell in love with this place! A week later, we came here for 8 months and even for them we could not go around everything we wanted!
Therefore, I will share for you the sights of Hua Hin by directions. The maximum range is 60 kilometers, so everywhere you can ride a bike in one day.
Hua Hin attractions of the city itself
There are very few attractions in Hua Hin itself, so I included everything within a radius of 5 kilometers from the city and the road there will cost you less than 100 baht in a taxi. In addition to those described here, there is also a very interesting Cicada night market, which is open only on weekends, but all the creative personalities of Hua Hin gather there - various craftsmen sell their handmade works, singers arrange concerts, and dancers light breakdance. There is also the Plearnwan shopping complex, which is stylized as an ancient village, but it is too dull and there is absolutely nothing to do there.
The Venezia Hua Hin
Awesome place. This is a large quarter, made in the style of Venice. A canal passes through it, in which a Thai in a vest rides tourists on a gondola. Each street is made in the style of one of the Italian cities (at least as Thais see them). In fact, there are 3 or 4 separate streets inside, in each house there are shops, restaurants, some are given entirely for children's playrooms. And of course, the whole area is just dotted with interesting places for photos! That's why I really respect the Thais: it doesn't matter how you relax, but you will definitely have amazing and vivid photos that are nice to review later.
On the territory there is a museum of 3D paintings. This is when you can interact with the picture and be part of it, as well as the upside down house.
What is especially pleasant is the opening hours: from 6.00 to 22.00. In fact, this is the only place where you can go in the evening on weekdays.
Railroad station
Royal railroad station 1911! She is active and easy to deal with. On the territory there is a museum of the king and a great coffee shop. The station is located in the very center of the city and is very beautifully illuminated at night. All official holidays and parades start from her.
Do you already feel how interesting it is in the city itself, if the railway station is presented here and in any guide to the sights of Hua Hin?
Viewpoint on the city
This is a mountain in the city center with 8 observation platforms. Only 3 of them are interesting, and only 2 are equipped. But I still recommend going there. The mountain offers a very beautiful view of the city, the sea and warships that guard the entrance to the harbor. On the mountain itself, it is cool and generally pleasant to walk along small paths.
On the way you will meet whole hordes of monkeys, there are a lot of them in every city of this province and they live around the mountains.
The current royal palace
On the territory of the city there is a real royal palace, where the king himself, or members of the royal family, often comes. When there are no distinguished guests, the territory of the palace is open to everyone. This is the most big park in Hua Hin and locals They love to go there in the evenings. It is for this attitude towards the inhabitants of the King in Thailand that they are very loved and revered. IN royal garden picnics, dog walks, or provocative behavior are not allowed. Rather, this is a place for romantic walks and sports.
floating market
Today, every tourist city in Thailand has its own floating market. Rather, they take small lake, break through a couple of channels from it and build a lot of tourist shops with souvenirs. There has never been anything exotic there - it was originally a tourist attraction. You buy the same souvenirs, only sitting in a boat and they take money from you for the entrance. The only more or less normal market is located in Bangkok and is called Damnoen Saduak, but it has already become completely touristic.
Monkey Mountain or Khao Takiab
Mountain near the sea. It separates the central Hua Hin beach from Khao Takib beach. It is famous for the fact that there are hotels along the central beach, and condominiums begin behind the mountain, where winterers with children like to settle. On the mountain itself there is a Buddhist temple and there are several pleasant observation platforms. By the way, as on any mountain in this province, there are a huge number of monkeys. It is better to climb on your own transport, because as always you will have to go without sidewalks and in the heat, but at the top you will find a pleasant sea breeze and good views of the city.
Night market in Hua Hin
Every evening from Friday to Sunday, the city center is blocked and a large night market is held. It stretches across several streets. But the most pleasant thing in this market is the gates. The whole huge stream tourists are coming along this one street, but there you can turn aside several times and find yourself on a quiet street where creative workshops and pleasant quiet places for relaxation, among this market bustle. Naturally, all the vendors in the area come here on weekends, so in other areas it can be difficult to find the usual street food these days.
Hua Hin attractions from the south side
To the south of Hua Hin, attractions created by nature are collected. You will need to drive along the federal highway, but with a fairly good shoulder and a small flow of trucks, so there should not be any special problems.
I would recommend going here for 2 days with an overnight stay in a national park with a cave. You will have the opportunity to swim and relax and see a lot of things. But here you need to understand what an overnight stay in a national park is - this is when life stops after sunset - even there is no light on the territory. And the sunset in Thailand is always at 18.30 =) Therefore, after this time, even eating can be difficult. We usually downloaded movies to the tablet and took sandwiches with us.
Wat Tham Khao Tao
An interesting temple located by the lake with walking paths. It is interesting because it is located around the mountain, i.e. he wraps her around and different levels there are statues, it turns out you go through labyrinths and through artificial caves, and at each level you stumble upon something interesting.
mangrove forests
This is a small national park with mangrove forests, which is under the patronage of the Queen of Thailand. And everything that has been done with the participation of Queen Sirikit is worthy of attention, because she attracts the best craftsmen and European specialists. For those who do not know, Mangrove forests grow in water and have huge branched roots, among such forests it is very common to arrange a kayak trip. Well, here there is little water and high-quality wooden paths are laid through the forest at a height of about 1.5 meters. You walk along the flooring, and it boils under you local life- a hundred crabs are running somewhere, unknown fish are sitting in small puddles, something unknown is digging out of the mud and digging in. In general, this is not the forest we are used to and it is definitely worth a visit. I liked the observation deck above the forests most of all, when you get out of the thicket and climb to a height - it is very, very beautiful there.
It is located right on the seashore, there are also houses for those wishing to stay overnight and a cafe with inexpensive Thai food. The visit is free.
Viewpoint with a crocodile
In fact, this is a temple on a mountain with an amazing view and a large crocodile monument. There is nothing else interesting here, I just really like beautiful views and coolness. And after a few hours in the heat, being on the top of a mountain where a cool breeze blows and sitting down to relax in silence is a real pleasure. I advise you to come here only on weekdays, because there are a lot of people on weekends and the whole effect is lost.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
Phraya Nakhon Cave in Hua Hin is Thailand's number one attraction. This is a magnificent cave with a temple, which can be seen in any guide to Thailand. It is located about 60 kilometers from Hua Hin in the national khao park Sam Roi Yot. Almost any traveler will tell you that this is his favorite attraction in Thailand and it really is amazing. But getting there is not so easy, because on all sides it is surrounded by mountains and you need to either go through them or rent a boat. The sheltered bay will also have overnight accommodations and a gorgeous beach.
The cave temple was built at the end of the 19th century. Another interesting thing is that on the walls of the cave there are personal signatures of the two kings Rama 5 and Rama 7. We advise you to visit the cave in the morning, when the sun shines with a bright beam directly on the temple. This creates a special atmosphere.
Birdwatching at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
There are many interesting things in this national park. Yes, and the area itself is very beautiful, but we visited a place for bird watching. At the very foot of the mountain there is a large beautiful lake. The Thais made wooden decks over it and set up pavilions for relaxation. You don’t need to make a special trip here, if only “on the road”. The whole walk takes about 40 minutes, you can see storks, herons and other birds that walk below. It's just that the picture itself is very beautiful - white Asian gazebos at the foot of the mountain rise above a large lake.
Hua Hin attractions to the north (toward Bangkok)
If we talk about this direction and describe the sights of Hua Hin, then there are 3 big centers of attraction: Cha Am city 30 kilometers away, The accumulation of all kinds of attractions 40 km. from Hua Hin: there is a huge sheep farm Swiss Sheep Farm, and the famous Santorini Park water park, and the Camel Republic entertainment complex and much, much more, several of these huge amusement parks open every year, because they are located on the Bangkok-Hua Hin highway and every weekend a lot of tourists travel through them, and special tours from both of these cities are also organized here. I will not describe any of them, because they are more entertainment than sights, and there is enough space if you write about them all. The city of Phetchaburi town, which you simply must visit, it is located 80 km from Hua Hin and there are at least 2 places that are included in the TOP 10 attractions of Thailand. But I will recommend a few more interesting places.
Maruekhathayawan Palace
Maruekhathayawan Palace is a non-functioning royal palace that operates as a museum. More precisely, it was originally a gift to the king, but he never lived in it, so now it has been converted into a museum. The photos are very spectacular - large, beautiful palace on stilts, by the sea. But there is nothing to do there at all, because all the rooms are empty. Those. just an empty house, without windows and doors on the seashore, and even the entrance is paid. In general, there is nothing to do here.
Open daily from 08.30 to 16.00 (as they say on the official website, but it seems they have a day off on Thursday)
Cha Am Forest Park
Small park near Cha Am town, it's free and has 1 circular road which runs in 30 minutes. But the biggest feature of this park is the gibbons. A whole family of gibbons lives here and now I think that these are the coolest monkeys in the world, at least they are much better than the macaques that live near other attractions. Gibbons are very kind, they move very funny on the ground and love to study people, or rather just observe from a distance, if you bring some fruit, then there is a chance to get to know each other better. Seriously - they are very cool, we came several times just for them.
Bat Cave
Natural landmark of Hua Hin, every day, half an hour before sunset (approximately at 18.00 - 18.30), bats come out of the cave in the mountain to hunt. There is a famous cave where they live by the thousands. The stream of mice looks like a huge live snake that flies out of the mountain and for 10-15 minutes there is a constant and endless stream. I really liked it, the photos do not convey even part of the emotions received, so I highly recommend going there on your own.
The locals even set up something like an observation deck, there are dilapidated chairs at the top, admission is free, and most likely there will be no one there.
Phra nakhon khiri historical park
Refers to the sights of Hua Hin from the category "Must visit". This is a palace built on rocks. I will try to convey my delight to you in two words. The castle was built on a 100-meter cliff, there are battle towers in the corners, a royal palace with a beautiful observation platform rises in the center, Buddhist temples rise on the neighboring hills, and narrow paths are laid between all the peaks, and all this is buried in the jungle, you walk along the vines, and hundreds of monkeys are running around you. You feel like a real Indiana Jones.
The whole point is that tourists stop there for an hour, on the way from Bangkok to Hua Hin, so their time is limited and they usually only see the palace, but you have the opportunity to walk along this hill only with your company! And these are amazing emotions, especially if you step aside with hiking trail- there will be ancient barracks, baths, warehouses. All this among vines and monkeys. But be careful, because the monkeys consider this territory theirs and often take away food and water from tourists.
Opening hours: daily from 8.30 to 16.30, entrance 150 baht including lift. There are 2 entrances: from the side of the highway - there is a lift directly to the palace, and there is from the side of the city, there the entrance is 50 baht, there are a lot of monkeys in the parking lot and you will have to go alone through those very non-tourist trails.
Khao Luang Cave
Hua Hin Cave, which is included in the TOP-10 of the best attractions in Thailand. I did not expect what I saw, so I was completely delighted. The cave is located inside a hill in Phetchaburi town. Inside a large number of Buddha statues, including a large reclining Buddha. But she is famous for her beam of light. There is a natural opening in the ceiling through which a powerful beam of light hits right into the center of a huge cave. The king of Thailand himself liked to pray in this cave (the one who built the castle on the hills) and now it is a place of attraction for tourists and pilgrims.
Come by 12.00 - at this time the beam is especially bright.
Wat Khao Ban Dai It
From myself, I also note the observation deck next to the Wat Khao Ban Dai It temple. It is located directly opposite the palace on the hills and was still under construction in 2015. But from there the view opens up to the rice fields and it is very beautiful. I searched for it for a very long time, circled around the hill a lot, driving into all the small turns: I found several hermits (these are caves in which monks live and they often even board up the entrance to keep out strangers). As a result, the entrance turned out to be completely terrible road with abandoned houses, but it was worth it.
I was there on the weekend, so there were not even builders. I recommend this point only experienced travelers and only on weekends.
West of Hua Hin
The easiest direction for independent travel sightseeing in Hua Hin, because everything is within 40 km and you don’t need to go to federal highway. Therefore, the direction is also suitable for inexperienced bike drivers and cyclists most often choose it. Plus, the landscape itself is very beautiful, because. you are driving towards the mountains. And small rural roads with endless rice fields against the backdrop of mountains - this is what you can love Asia for. On the way there are a large number of European cafes with normal coffee, you also come across a couple of 7/11, but it is better to stock up on water in advance.
I will describe only the most interesting things to see, otherwise there will simply not be enough space: You will pass 2 floating markets (which I do not recommend), Hua Hin Artist Village (a large store where every artist can exhibit their work, if there is time - then you can stop by to see), an elephant farm (elephants are everywhere in Thailand, so we did not stop by).
Wat Huay Mongkol or Big Seated Monk
On weekends, a lot of pilgrims gather here, because this is a functioning Buddhist temple and all major religious events are held here.
I like this place in and of itself. Around a very beautiful park with a lake and monitor lizards, where no one ever goes. You can safely take a walk, sit on the benches, look at the artificial fountains on the lake. In general, if you find yourself at the temple, you will not regret it.
As a bonus, I'll tell you a story: this is a statue of the legendary Thai monk Luang Phor Thuad, who lived in the 1500s. He is revered by Buddhists all over the world, medallions are printed with him and many believe that he brings good luck. I found only one plausible legend: at that time there was a big competition between Buddhists from Thailand and from Sri Lanka, then the king of Sri Lanka said that he would give the Thais a task and if they solved it, he would give them ships full of gold. The best minds from the then capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, fought over the tasks, but all failed. And only the young monk Luang Phor Thuad solved it, which brought him fame!
Opening hours: every day from 5.00 to 22.00
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard
Vineyards of Hua Hin. In fact, I marked them here, because tours there are sold in every travel agency, and taxi drivers insistently offer to visit this beautiful attraction. In fact, these are ordinary vineyards at the foot of the mountain, i.e. this is a typical winery. There is nothing for the entertainment of tourists, such as. But it's quite beautiful and they sell good wine.
Open daily from 10.00 to 18.00
Pala-U Waterfall in Hua Hin
The Pala-U waterfall in Hua Hin is another Thai trick, there is no normal waterfall there, but only small rapids 1-2 meters high. It's about the same as . There are few impressions from him, and it is too far to go after them, so I would not recommend coming here.
Although there is an interesting point: The road is divided into 2 parts: the usual city is about 40 kilometers and the road through the national park is about 20 km. Here you are driving through the national park with local flavor, because elephant excrement is often found on the highway, and everywhere there are signs that if you see an elephant, then turn around and leave as soon as possible, because it can attack you.
At the entrance, you may be charged, as for visiting a national park - about 200 baht per person, or they may not be charged.
Dam
Dam at the lake. Just a pretty nice place to drop in if you happen to be nearby. This huge reservoir among the mountains with good views. If you travel around, you can find a temple with a good observation deck. We were there on the weekend and I didn't meet a single person in the temple itself, we just walked around and sat with my wife in the shade of the trees overlooking the lake. In general, the impressions are very pleasant, but I recommend it only if you have already traveled all around and you don’t want to sit in the city at all. This is more of a place to unwind than a tourist attraction.
Conclusion
As you can see, this region really has something to see, it is not inferior to either Pattaya or Phuket. The roads in the region are very good and always have mountains in the background, so driving is pleasant and easy. I have not yet told about the resort towns around which I am simply delighted and will definitely write about them separately - this is Cha Am with 4-seater bicycles, and Phetchaburi town with fountains along the streets, and a small town with five-star hotels, but without a beach .
But the most important thing is that during the trip, do not repeat my mistakes and do not wear T-shirts. This is how I looked after every ride
Hua Hin, a small provincial town located on the west coast Gulf of Thailand two hundred kilometers south of , well falls under the definition "Potemkin village". The fact is that he was chosen as the place of the summer residence of the royal family. Therefore, an exemplary Siamese province is cultivated in it - such as the king himself would like to see it. Many Hua Hin attractions designed specifically for tourists. For example, . However, sightseeing tours of Hua Hin are quite an interesting and educational way to spend time.
Train Station
This attraction of Hua Hin is protocol, and for Thais it is sacred, almost sacred. Like everything related to the name of the deceased king. Built in 1911, it became a symbol of the fact that the monarch honored the city with his attention and chose it as his residence, after which it flourished and turned into a resort. Now it carefully preserves the waiting room, specially built in 1920 for the king and members of his family. And this is despite the fact that crowned persons in recent years have not sought to travel by rail. All official guidebooks in Thailand indicate that this is the most beautiful railway platform in the country. Read more about and how to travel between certain provinces.
Cicada Market
If you have no idea, what to see in Hua Hin on a weekend evening, head to Cicada Market, located on Khao Takiab Street in the southern part of the city. This is his main party place where not only tourists but also locals gather. Artists open open-air galleries there, theater shows are arranged, live music sounds. There are souvenir shops where you can buy crafts inspired by the hand of the master, and not standard consumer goods. There you can go shopping and alternate it with relaxation to the music of local bards. Interestingly, various snacks are sold there not for cash, but for coupons for which you will exchange baht at the entrance. All sorts of goodies European, Thai or Chinese food you can try sitting at a free table.
night market
Another one attractions in Hua Hin which is visited after sunset. The market at Soi 72 starts at 17:00. In general, for Thailand, the revival of life after the heat of the day subsides is quite common. There are such night fairs and food courts on other streets. The range of goods is quite standard: souvenirs, clothes, shoes... malls cafes and macarons work. Many dishes, including seafood and huge, two-kilogram lobsters, are cooked in front of customers using open fires. Be sure to know in order to save a few extra baht.
Temple Wat Ampharam
Temple Wat Ampharam, which, pardon the pun, has nothing remarkable. In Thailand, there are more beautiful places of worship. The whole thing, again, is in the proximity of the royal family. This is a functioning complex consisting of a monastery, a temple and a columbarium.
Monkey Mountain - Khao Takiab
Khao Takiab is a mountain, the visual dominant of the city, which gave the name to the street and the whole area. Its height is 272 meters. Do not expect to see "herds" there. Several elderly monkeys live out their lives on its top, there is also a temple Wat Khao Lat, whose architecture combines Chinese and Siamese styles. On a semi-mountain, facing the city, there is a statue of Buddha 20 meters high. There are several viewing platforms.
Sam Roi Yot National Park
This attraction of Hua Hin is the largest, because its area is 98 square meters. kilometers. It would be more correct to call it "The Kingdom of Siam in miniature." natural landscape, where there are mountains, and beaches, and virgin rainforests full of outlandish animals, is decorated with temples. The park was created in 1966. It is worth allocating two or three days to visit it, and travel around the territory in a rented car.
Pala-U Waterfall
Sixty kilometers west of Hua Hin, almost on the border with Myanmar, is the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Its decoration is the Palau waterfall (Pa La-U, Pala-U), the highest in Thailand. It consists of sixteen steps. If you manage to climb to its top, then enjoy the view of Central Thailand and neighboring Myanmar. The border jungle is almost untouched and full of exotic animals. On the way from Hua Hin to the waterfall you can meet free roamers.
Shopping complex Venezia
Shopping and entertainment complex "Venice" is located twenty kilometers north of Hua Hin, on the way to Bangkok. Something similar, but french style in Pattaya (). Two Italian-style streets, a canal along which visitors ride on gondolas. There are several shops and a restaurant. There is an interactive zoo (sheep only). Very interesting exhibition of 3D paintings. You can “embed” in each of them and take an original photo as a keepsake.
Baan Silapin - Artists' Village
Baan Silapin Artists Village is sure to please fans visual arts. It is located four kilometers west of the city center, in a shady grove. This artistic village was founded in 1989 by artist Tawee Kesa-ngam, who left busy Bangkok for inspiration in the provinces. The commune of free artists organized around him is close to the hippie subculture in terms of lifestyle and worldview. You can chat with masters working in different genres, as well as buy unique works in your own way. For example, wooden etchings of the Buddha, terracotta figurines, landscapes.
Temple complex Wat Huay Mongkol
A real Buddhist shrine, to which people from all over the world go to bow. Its spiritual center is a huge statue of the monk Luang Phor Tuad, revered in Thailand and beyond. Because of the color, the sculpture is called the Black Monk. Around the complex there is a park with traditional Thai canals, bridges and ponds with goldfish. Physical hunger can be satisfied in a cafe where the food is quite tasty.
Vineyards
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard vineyards are located thirty kilometers west of the city. They are included in the list of official sightseeing tours of Hua Hin. From half past nine in the morning until half past seven in the evening, you can walk there and even taste the growing grapes. Juice or wine is sold at a nearby restaurant. Among other things, this place is also a wonderful observation platform.
Royal Palace
Mrigadayavan Palace - attractions in Hua Hin, to which this city owes its actual birth. Built in 1923, it has turned the fishing village into a royal resort. The residence of Rama IV is a must-have item in. Entrance to it is paid, but this is not all the conditions for visitors. They must take off their shoes and behave as befits a royal audience.
Temple ship Wat Ta Nod Luang
Buddhism is a religion that is tolerant of almost everything. Therefore, among places of worship one can meet quite. For example, Wat Ta Nod Luang is a temple ship located near the village of Bang Kao, a few kilometers from the coast. Its appearance combines attributes traditional for Buddhism and elements of ship equipment. Elephant, ubiquitous in the temples of Thailand, holds the steering wheel on its head, and the central panel of the temple depicts scenes of a shipwreck. Its roof is decorated with thousands of small bells jingling in the wind. The temple was built recently, mainly to attract tourists. However, there is a really old monastery nearby, which has a sculpture of the revered monk Luang Phor Thong Suk.
Turtle Temple Wat Khao Tao
Fifteen kilometers south of Hua Hin there is a very beautiful Sai Noi beach. It is also notable for the fact that Wat Khao Tao, the Turtle Temple, was built nearby. It can be considered a Buddhist park as the landscape is decorated man-made caves, picturesque paths, ladders, stones of an unusual shape. Like a cherry on a cake, all this romantic splendor crowns the temple. In it, you can perform a rite of attracting good luck. As a thank you, leave an offering of 100 baht.
Cave Temple Khao Luang Cave
Cave Temple, Hua Hin attraction, which must be visited despite its considerable remoteness. It is located near the city of Phetchaburi, a walk through the streets of which will be a good addition to the tour.
Kaeng Krachan National Park
The national park is the largest in Thailand. Located on the border with Myanmar. closest to him settlements- This Hua city Khin, Phetchaburi, Cha-Am. An array of almost untouched mountainous rainforest teeming with exotic animals and plants. Numerous rivers, waterfalls, caves add to its picturesqueness. Eat hot spring. It is located sixty kilometers west of Hua Hin. The road itself can be an unforgettable adventure. On it you can meet with wild elephants.
Hin Lek Fai Viewpoint
Rather, it is a whole complex of observation platforms located on the slope of Khao Hin Lek Fai mountain, 162 meters high. Six places with breathtaking views of the surroundings of Hua Hin and the coast of the Gulf of Thailand are connected by picturesque paths and bridges. Around them there is a park where orchids and other exotic plants grow.
mangrove forest
Attraction in Hua Hin, which is part of more large park Forest Park, where you can stroll through a very common landscape in Southeast Asia - the mangrove forest without risk to your life. Tourists walk on suspension bridges that are closed to each other. It is impossible to get lost there, at every turn there is a map of the park and an exit sign. The main "chip" of the place is the hordes of mangrove crabs teeming among the clusters of aerial roots. The coastal part of Forest Park is interesting to visit not because there are many curiosities, but because of the possibility of relaxation. Under the canopy of trees there are benches and tables. Before entering the park sand beach Pran Kiri is a wild, unequipped coast.
Black woman
Near the city of Cha-Am there is a beach Pak Tien. He is known for a statue that does not have official name, and therefore simply called the "Black Woman". It depicts a female sea demon reaching out towards a young Siamese prince sitting on a small island. At low tide, you can walk to the very woman, whose height is six meters. Due to constant contact with the sea element, the cyclopean structure is gradually being destroyed.
There are many myths about Hua Hin, so I did an overview of the city and an analysis of these main myths. In this article, you will learn what the city really looks like, what you can do here, and who it is best for.
Myth #1: Hua Hin is a small Europe
Many blogs have similar descriptions. And based on this, many choose Hua Hin as a place for wintering. And we drove with a reliable find Small European town in Asia. Find a city in Asia with large sidewalks, a city where it is pleasant to walk in parks, where there are a huge number of family cafes with excellent coffee. A city where there are more Europeans than Thais and everyone speaks English. They drove and they arrived.
Yes, it's downtown. Well, we thought, this is the center of any resort town, let's go out of here - we went through 2 streets and .... left the city. We went in the other direction and ... again left the city. And here, let's take a closer look.
What does Hua Hin look like? the whole city is about 1 kilometer wide and 2 long. I'm not kidding, but all the splendor that you see in the photographs are hotels that stretch for several more kilometers. 90% of the beach consists of: Beach, hotel, highway, 1 row of shops.
The city itself is typical, Asian: Any place where there are tourists has been turned into a market, the main street is a traffic jam, there are sidewalks only on the main streets.
This is such a terrible picture that opened up to us on the first day of visiting Hua Hin. The disappointment was complete and I wanted to leave right away, but we stayed to look for "Little Europe in Asia"
Myth #2: Hua Hin is a very expensive city. Or what are the prices for groceries in Hua Hin
Here it is worth explaining that in Hua Hin, some cheap options are not available as a class, so it seems more expensive. For example, you can’t rent a condo with a sea view for 8,000 baht ($ 270) per month (as in Pattaya). Almost everyone here lives in houses from 15,000 ($ 500), but in Pattaya, a house of this level will cost the same 15,000 baht ($500). In the cafe, prices vary greatly, we ate spaghetti in two neighboring cafes for 250 baht ($ 8) and for 120 baht ($ 4). And for 120 it was many times tastier and more. In Hua Hin, there are the same markets with the usual prices for products (and in any market, including the very center). Shakes - 20 baht each ($ 0.6), soups 30-40 ($ 1). For the first time I even saw a watermelon shake in the central market for 10 baht (0.3$), but it was not tasty at all.
The only thing was not noticed cozy Thai ones, if in Pattaya in whatever area you settled, there will definitely be such a cafe within a radius of 500 meters, then I didn’t notice it at all. We ate either in a macaroni by the road, where it is cheap and tasty, but uncomfortable. Or in the family cafes of guesthouses - where it is comfortable, tasty, but a little expensive (400 baht for two).
I will also tell you about the prices for family hotels (guesthouses). The owners are very spoiled by the large flow of tourists from Bangkok, we walked around the entire center on Saturday in the morning - we saw a large number of offers from 300 baht, but almost everywhere was full and the price started from 700 baht per night ($ 23), and this Hua Hine guesthouse price in low season! Therefore, either book in advance, or get ready to walk and search a lot.
A similar hotel costs 2,000 baht ($65) per night 
Myth #3: Hua Hin has bad roads.
We are launching this myth and here we need to explain it. The roads in Hua Hin are not that bad, they are rather mean. Who traveled around Thailand knows that you can safely drive 70-80 km / h and look at the beauty around you in a relaxed way. It's not possible here! On secondary roads, speed bumps in the color of asphalt are very often found, and they are not visible at all and, crashing at high speed, the steering wheel breaks out of your hands. There are also imperceptible dips on the road, it’s just that somewhere the road has become lower by 5-10 centimeters and the asphalt leaves from under your wheels at speed, fly and land as it will. Therefore, the maximum safe speed is 40 km/h. It's very stressful when you drive around, you drive calmly on a perfect road, you relax, just start enjoying the views, and then BOOM! And then everything is in a circle: tensed, focused, relaxed, BOOM! Therefore, I advise you to move along the highway - it is many times faster and there are really good roads.
Myth #4: Hua Hin is boring!
The fact that there is nothing to do in Hua Hin is, of course, a myth. You just need to understand how to spend time in this city and what the city can give you. For example, it is stupid to go to Volgograd to see skyscrapers, because they are not there! But there are magnificent historical museums, Motherland and much more. Same with Hua Hin! There are plenty of entertainment within a radius of 20 km. from the city (tuk-tuks go to everyone): There is a magnificent Venetian island, there is an artists' fair with live music, there is a royal palace, there are excellent restaurants, there is an observation deck with paths, there are several national parks with the most famous sights of Thailand, there are 2 floating markets (not fiction, like in Pattaya, but really big and famous ones), there are mangrove forests, there is a water park, there is a safari, there is a bat cave, there is the famous Santorini Park - and this is just a small list where you can go! The only problem is that all attractions in Hua Hin are open until 18.00.
There are, of course, bars with women, and a great night market, and restaurants until midnight. And this is enough for tourists for a couple of days, but winterers really have nowhere to go in the evening. With all the abundance of places - in the evening there is nothing to do. Fabulous the beach is not lit up at night. It's just dark! There is no footpath - nothing.
And there are only three suggestions how to spend the evening:
- let's go for a walk to the night market,
- Let's go for a walk around the mall
- Let's go for a walk along the road. (it's beautiful and the sidewalk is good)
As you can see, the choice is not rich, so how best to spend time: You need to get up at 7 am and go to bed at 22.00. If this mode suits you, then Hua Hin is the perfect place for you!
Is it still worth choosing Hua Hin for wintering?
All my description is not made to show how bad Hua Hin is, but so that you understand what to expect and do not expect too much (like us). Nevertheless, Hua Hin is an amazing place to spend the winter or live. As I wrote above, you need a special approach there (to get up early and go to bed early), then you will simply fall in love with this city! After all, on an equal footing with the entertainment that is here - you have Bangkok at your side with all the drive of the world and cheap tickets throughout Asia.
I’ll even say this: I didn’t like Hua Hin itself, but I just fell in love with its surroundings! Traveling there is not very comfortable (because of bad little roads), but it is incredibly beautiful and interesting! 
What else can you do in Hua Hin, when almost all the sights have already been visited, and a beach holiday is boring? In fact, there are many more ways to free time in our wonderful city so that you have wonderful memories of your vacation.
Kiteboarding and windsurfing. If you want to learn how to steer a kite, get on your board and enjoy the thrill of sky-high jumps, then Hua Hin is the best place in Thailand to learn it. Currently, there are about a dozen kite schools and surfing clubs on the city beach, instructors from which will be happy to take on your training. Or, if you already have certain skills, you can simply rent the necessary equipment from any of the schools. In KBA (Kiteboarding Asia) schools during the high season, you can often find a Russian-speaking instructor. If the language is not a problem for you, then we recommend you the Thai school Surfspot (located on soi 75/1) or the European North Kiteboarding (located on the beach opposite the Market Village). So that you are not misled, to be honest, to really learn how to ride, a few days or a week are not enough, as instructors on the coast can promise you. In a week of classes, you can get only basic knowledge and an understanding of what you need to do. Everything else is achieved as a result of your own experience, trial and error, which you will constantly make. It is advisable, of course, to do this under the supervision of more advanced surfers and not be afraid to ask for advice. Kiters are very friendly people and are always happy to tell you and help you at the right time. Also in some schools you can rent a windsurfer or a sailing catamaran (available at Surfspot). It is worth mentioning that the annual Kitesurfing World Cup began to be held on the coast of Hua Hin in March.
There are two seasons of the main winds in Hua Hin, the first in November-December, when a cold continental wind blows from the north, and in February-April - southern warm winds. January is also very windy, but the winds are not constant. Best time for training it is February-March, because. there are practically no waves in the sea, the width of the beach during low tides is impressive and the water warms up to comfortable temperatures.
For those who do not want to depend on the wind, there is always an alternative - this is Wakeboarding. There are three options here, rent a jet ski on the beach and take necessary equipment to ride in one of the kite schools, or go straight to one of the two specialized wake parks. The first top-level wake park is located near Black Mountain Water Park, the second is at the entrance to Pak Nam Pran beach. Learning to ride a board in a wake park is much easier than learning to ride a jet ski, and in a couple of hours, almost anyone can begin to enjoy sliding on the water.
Golf. Maybe someone does not know, but Hua Hin is one of the capitals of all Asian golf. At your service a huge number of golf courses and top-level golf clubs, training ranges and shops with equipment. Many European tourists come to Hua Hin solely for golf, and every early morning on the streets of the city you can see dozens of minibuses carrying players around the golf courses to different parts of the city. The two most famous golf clubs are Banyan Golf Club (voted Best New Golf Club in Asia in 2009) and Balck Mountain Golf Club (host of the King's Cup and the Asian Grand Prix of Golf). Also in Hua Hin is the oldest golf club in Tiland, Royal Hua Hin Gold Course, opened in 1924. The popularity of this sport is also growing among the Russian-speaking part of the population of Hua Hin, so you can always find partners to play if you are fond of this sport.
Water parks. There are currently two in the city, but by the end of 2014, another new water park should open, which will be located in the south of Hua Hin next to the new Tesco Lotus. The first water park in the city was built in 2011 on the territory of the Balck Mountain complex (about 20 km from the city center), while the second one opened at the end of 2013 on the territory of Santorini Park near Cha Am (about 40 km from the center of Hua Hin). Both water parks are first-class facilities for the local entertainment industry and will help you enjoy a full day spent on their territory. It should be noted that the park in Santorini is slightly larger than the park in Balck Mountain, and Santorini also has more slides and pools aimed at young children. But we recommend that you visit both parks, some of the water slides are guaranteed to leave memories for both adults and children.
Katahine on elephants. Sooner or later, every tourist who constantly visits Thailand must ride an elephant. Communication with these amazing animals will leave pleasant memories for you and your children. In Hua Hin, where you can do this, there are two main places - Hua Hin Elephant Village and Hua Hin Safari & Adventure Park.
Also very popular horseback riding along the city beach and Takiyab beach. If elephants and horses are not for you, then you can always ride through the jungle on a quad bike, fording streams and climbing hills. Quad tours you can also find Hua Hin Safari Park and Cha Am ATV Park. In Cha Am, on the territory of the ATV park, you can also learn Shoot with a sporting bow, and if you have a big company, then fight in Paintball. If toy guns are not for you, then visit one of the two shooting ranges in Hua Hin where you can Shoot with firearms different caliber. And in Magic Balloon Park you can fly over Hua Hin in a hot air balloon.
For lovers of weightlifting or just wanting to keep their body in good physical shape in Hua Hin there are several gyms. @Letic's largest good level gym (gym and group classes) is located on soi 88, gyms at the Hilton and Sport Villa are also popular, a sports complex has recently opened at Lotus Well Resort. The city also has several halls for yoga enthusiasts, as well as yoga classes at many 5 star hotels. Almost all large hotels are equipped with tennis courts, which are rented to everyone. In some places, like the Hilton, you can play tennis with an instructor. Also at the Hilton squash rooms and table tennis. It is known to be very popular in Asia badminton, Hua Hin is no exception in this regard, the city has several specialized badminton halls equipped with a net. Volleyball most popular on the beach, there are net stands in some places on the city beach. Our compatriots recently organize volleyball games on the beach opposite the Market Village in the early morning. 
Separately, it is worth highlighting football in Hua Hin, which is very loved and revered in Asia. After Colin Devonshire opened the first specialized football field with artificial turf on 10 soybeans, such fields began to appear in all areas of the city and now it is safe to say that football in Hua Hin is the number one sport and is not inferior in popularity to golf or kitesurfing. The Xplode football arena on the 10th soybean has been hosting a local
TOURIST ANSWERS:
Hua Hin is perhaps the oldest seaside resort in Thailand. It is located about 200 km from Bangkok. Maybe not the oldest, but since the 20s of the twentieth century, this town has been the official summer residence royal family of Thailand, after this place was "discovered" by the great Rama VI. At least once a year, members of the royal family come to rest in Hua Hin (Klai Kangwon Palace). 
Hua Hin is a very picturesque place, with its tropical thickets (some of which belong to the reserve), five kilometers of white sandy beach and magnificent views. Interestingly, the name of the city is translated as "stone head", this is because in the coastal waters of the city you can see protruding stones. Such stone heads. It's that simple! 
The sea in this part is quite calm, there are almost no strong surfs. In Hua Hin you can see many English-style houses, excellent hotels, small bungalows. It's great to come here to go diving, fishing, or just lie on the beach on the western coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
The city is noisy, lively, almost 85 thousand people live here, and quite a lot of tourists. In the narrow lanes of the city - shops, shops, restaurants and eateries. Getting to the city is quite simple, by bus, for example, but there is also small airport from which you can fly around the country. 
It can be noted that the city has many attractions.
Huay Mongkol Temple (Wat Huay Mongkol) 
This Buddhist temple in Prachuap Kiri Kan is a 20-minute drive from downtown Hua Hin to the west. By the way, this province is considered the gateway to southern Thailand, so this wat was built here. In honor of the highly revered monk Luang Po Tuada, who worked perfect miracles during his lifetime. The statue of a monk rises on a pedestal in the center of a beautiful park. This statue is huge, you can see it from afar! Next to the statue is a pavilion. It seems to be dedicated to the spirits of teak trees. In addition, in this temple you can see smaller statues that depict an elephant, no less impressive - its body is decorated with bas-reliefs, and garlands of flowers are hung on its fangs during the holidays. Next to the figure of a monk is a platform where religious holidays are sometimes held. 
In general, this huge dark-colored statue shakes to the core.
Kaeng Krachan National Park 
One of the largest parks in Thailand, located next to Hua Hin. It seems that they even wanted to add it to the UNESCO lists, but the application is still being considered. Officially, these forests have been considered a reserve since the 81st year of the last century. And by the way, at that time it became the 28th national park in Thailand. The park occupies enough large area and borders the cities of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. In this park on the elephants of the Tenasserim mountains (from the very high point 1200 meters) grow tropical forests, oaks, chestnuts, maples, palm trees. And 57 species of mammals live here, for example, gibbons, tigers and deer, and a huge number of birds (400 species at least). 
Two rivers run through the territory of the park, which merge into a lake with an area of about 46 sq. km. Once upon a time, wild elephants rushed through the park, however, now there are much fewer of them. Hua Hin is about two hours east.
Train Station
- also an old historical building of the city. It is located in the city center. And the gem of the station Royal Hall expectations, rebuilt to meet the royal family and other high-ranking citizens. 
When this elite hall was built, I do not know, but the construction of the Bangkok - Hua Hin line was completed in 1911, and after that wealthy citizens began to come to Hua Hin more often.
Visit Mrigadayavan Palace(among our compatriots known as Teak Palace). 
This beautiful building is located on the coast of Bang Kra, between Cha-am and Hua Hin, in the province of Petchaburi (address - 1281, Phetkasame Road, Tambon Chaam, Amphoe Chaam, Phetchaburi, 15 minutes drive from the center of Hua Hin to the north along the coast) . This palace was built by order of King Rama VI in 1923 as a summer palace. The palace is open to the public and is located in the middle of a beautiful park. 
The entire palace is made of teak wood. It consists of 16 pavilions. Interestingly, the name of the palace is translated from Thai as “Palace of Love and Hope”: the palace was built when the queen was pregnant, and King Vachiravudh built the palace for the future heir. But this was not destined to happen, as the queen had a miscarriage. However, later the royal couple had a daughter. Official ceremonies, theatrical performances, and receptions were held in these pavilions. These structures are interconnected by a veranda with a large number of pillars (more than a thousand). There is also a residence for the relatives of the kings, a dining pavilion and other premises in the palace. Today this palace has become historical museum where you can admire royal artifacts and old photographs. 
By the way, you can only walk around the premises barefoot, and the floor is varnished. Photography is not allowed inside the pavilions.
climb on Khao Takiab Hill. 
The name of the hill translates as ... "Chopsticks". So it goes! The hill is luxurious, surrounded by beaches - a great place to relax and admire the beauties of the city and the sea. He is located a little south of the center cities, by the sea. Near the mountain you can see a giant golden Buddha statue. 
A ladder leads to the statue, but on the way to the Buddha you will see shops with souvenirs. Further along the ascent you will come to the monkey temple “Wat Khao Lad”. There are, of course, a whole sea of monkeys here - be careful with your things and do not try to leave them on the ground - the monkeys will quickly steal everything. 
Then we follow and see a beautiful Buddhist temple. 
If you look on the other side of the hill, you will see a fishing village at the foot of the mountain - you can go down there to dine in a fish restaurant. 
And even further - a two-kilometer beach with black sand and small shells, which smoothly flows into the famous golf courses of the resort. 
Next to this hill you can see another hill (Khao Krailat), however, it is much lower. But on it you can visit the current temple, which was built by decree of Rama IV. And yet, climbing the steep stairs of the hill, you can see abandoned small cotton wool. 
Helpful answer?
Hua Hin is one of the oldest resorts in Thailand. This place has long been chosen by the royal family, a summer residence - a palace was built here. Low prices and a small number of people compared to other popular resorts in Thailand, cleanliness and affordable housing - all this has made Hua Hin attractive for many European tourists, including our compatriots. Many argue that here is an ideal place to wait out the Russian winter cold.
Hua Hin - respectable resort, capable of offering a wide variety of entertainment and excursions. Location - the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, offers many options for recreation on the water. Kayaking, surfing, sailing, amazing fishing, kiting - the most common pastimes. Amazing beaches will appeal to everyone who likes to soak up the sun, and excellent golf courses will allow both beginners and experienced golfers to enjoy.
But how mistaken is the one who, having arrived in Hua Hin, is limited only water activities, trips to Spa centers and beach doing nothing. After all, the resort, in addition to domestic attractions, also has rich surroundings, the study of which will bring pleasure to both an adult tourist and a child.
Communication with animals is a joy that cannot leave anyone indifferent. And elephants are these huge, smart and kind giants, adored by everyone. You can see, stroke, feed small and large elephants on the farm - "Hutsadin Elephant Foundation" (176 Moo 7 Nongplub Rd | Prachaupkhirikhun).
Elephants are truly taken care of here. Animals are clean and cheerful, performing various tricks with great pleasure. Elephants throw darts, draw with paints and even play the harmonica. And football with an elephant deserves special admiration. Riding these revered animals in Thailand is absolutely safe, but when traveling with a child, you should not lose vigilance. The only thing that can overshadow your stay on the farm is the drovers, they often set an inflated price, to avoid this, buy tickets at the official box office. Ticket price for an adult is 800 baht, for a child 600. The price includes one hour of skiing and a visit to the elephant show.
Monkey Mountain - "Chopstick Hill" in its own way an unforgettable attraction of the resort. And to a lesser extent, tourists go there to see the two temples and for the magnificent photographs that can be taken from the observation deck. It's all about monkeys, literally attacking all bipeds without exception. This is a real mafia, begging, extorting and snatching anything out of their hands.
And if you came to this kingdom of monkeys with bananas, be prepared for such pressure that you have hardly ever experienced. Be sure to keep an eye on the children, as some especially arrogant and aggressive animals can frighten the baby.
The nature of Thailand is amazing! Most likely, the Thais themselves do not notice the beauty of the landscapes surrounding them. For them, evergreen spreading shrubs, banana trees and palm trees are a common thing. And nature acts charmingly on tourists. One of the most beautiful places in the vicinity of the resort is "Pala U Waterfall" (Kaeng Krachan National Park) located in the national reserve.
There is no infrastructure with cafes and guest houses, and that is why it was possible to keep this place in almost pristine condition. You are in the middle of the rainforest, there are creepers and fluttering butterflies around, you hear its rumble, but you don’t see it yet. And now, turning around the corner, he appears before you. Surprisingly, there are always very few people here, making this an ideal place for meditation and just relaxing.
The temples of Thailand are a special attraction. Regardless of your religion, you are guaranteed a comfortable state in a Buddhist temple. Temple Wat Khao Krailas- a real work of architecture. A multi-level building, located on a hill among blooming lotuses, lakes and gardens, immerses you in a relaxed state.
There is no need to think about something here, just contemplate and a sense of harmony is provided to you. It is strange, but the temple is not very popular with tourists and walking here, you can not meet a single person in a few hours.
Hua Hin is an unusual Thailand. This is a not crowded resort and it may seem to someone that it is very dull and boring here.
But if, after noisy Phuket and sleepless Pattaya, you want peace and tranquility, remember Hua Hin and, perhaps, you will reconsider your view of many things in your life.
