Why Bangkok again?
Cause there will always be more of new things and places to discover and explore in this City of Angels. But when I went Bangkok for the third times with my friends, I suggested that we should include Hua Hin for our 5D4N Bangkok trip. And so we did.
Hua Hin is a beach resort city that offer number of attractions and a variety of entertainments to the local as well with foreigners. From sunworshipping at the beach, fun thrilling at the themed parks or to shop till you drop at their outlet malls and even night markets. So many things to do, so many things to see, hence it's impossible for you to opt a day trip from Bangkok to Hua Hin. I would advise to spend at least 2 or 3 nights in Hua Hin to discover all these excitement.
How To Get To Hua Hin
So far, there is no direct international flight to Hua Hin and the nearest city to fly in is Bangkok. Bear in mind, there are two international airports serving Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport. As my friends and I flew with AirAsia, hence we arrived at the latter airport.
Hua Hin can be accessible either by train or road but of course, in terms of the most economical way is by taking minivan. From airport, we took taxi to Victory Monument where the minivans are stationed at and these minivans run every half an hour from 4am until 7pm. It cost 180 bath per person and the journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the driver's speed and traffic.
UPDATED: Starting from 25 October 2016, all interprovicial passenger vans operating from Victory Monument being relocated to Chatuchak (Mochit 2), Ekkamai and Southern Bus Terminal.
The minivan stopped somewhere nearby Hua Hin Night Market. The distance also not very far away from the hotel we booked. (Will blog more details in the upcoming post)
Cut the story short, let me share with you where my friends and I went when we're in Hua Hin for 3 days and 2 nights:
The first tourist spot we went straight after we left our luggages in the hotel room. We even went again on the second night as well. That's explain why I love to book most of my hotels nearby the night market. Simply because I do love strolling and venturing around night markets, especially those in Thailand.
Although Hua Hin Night Market is not relatively large as those night markets in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but still I found this market is charming and fascinating with numerous of stalls selling various apparel, handicrafts, arts and street food - generally what you might expect from a Thai market.
Hua Hin also offers superb selection of seafood restaurants that line the road that hosts the night market, drawing a lot of attention from visitor eager to feast on the quality dishes on offer. The seafood restaurants here are incredibly well-known for its chic atmosphere, freshness quality and Thai-style low prices.
Location: Intersection between Petchkasem Road and Decha Nuchit Road
Opening Hours: 6pm to 11pm (Best time to go after 7pm)
Hua Hin Railway Station
Besides being one of the oldest station, Hua Hin Railway Station is crowned to be one of the country's most beautiful and enchanting train stations marked for its meticulous details in architecture. If case you are taking train from Bangkok, this is where the train stop here in Hua Hin.
Painted boldly in red and yellow, this Victorian-styled wooden building has become one of the popular and famous tourist attractions and instantly draws numerous of visitors to come here especially for phototaking. Hence, it is advisable to come early to avoid the crowd. We're lucky by the time when we visited this railway station, a train approached but barely remember where it originated from.
Location: Western end of Damnernkasem Road
Opening Hours: 7am to 11pm
Admission Fee: Free of charge
Plearn Wan Shopping Village
Well, a vintage lover? Then Plearn Wan Shopping Village is your kind of thing. From the main street, Plern Wan's curious looking entrance - a giant structure fashioned from reclaimed wooden planks is so hard to be missed by anyone. Once we stepped through the small opening, suddenly we felt like we're transported back to the 1950's. We found out that this themed open-aired mall is entirely decorated everything with vintage concept.
This two-storey courtyard style building houses a community of period-style shops selling all kind of things, from liquor, inexpensive plastic-and-tin toys, snacks as well as a beauty salon, photo studio, outdoor cinema screen and 20-room guesthouse can be seen here.
Location: Phatkasem Road (Between Hua Hin Sois 38 and 40), close to Klai Kang Won Palace
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm (Mon-Thu). Vary for Fri to Sun
Admission Fee: Free of charge
Santorini Park Cha-Am
Inspired by the architecture and design of Santorini, this themed park brings a slice of the picture-perfect Greek Island to Cha-Am. It's got all the details right, from the classic whitewashed buildings with blue-painted windows down to stone-paved paths and domed towers. This photogenic outdoor entertainment outlet is beautifully designed at each and every corner making a great opportunity for phototaking. Therefore, dont' forget to dress up yourself beautifully when visiting Santorini Park so you can instantly upload your photos in Facebook, Instagram and other social media networks.
An impressive lineup of shops, restaurants and an amusement park promises good time for everyone. Besides photo opportunity, shopping is another favourite pastime for visitors to Santorini Park. The collection of one-off souvenirs, fashion accessories, clothing brands like Nike, Adidas, Timberland, Billabong can be found here. Even if you leave without buying anything, it makes for quite a pleasurable look around.
Even the toilet in Santorini Park is impressive enough and I just can't leave without taking photo itself.
Location: Phetkasem Road, Cha Am
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm (Mon-Thu). Vary for Fri to Sun
Admission Fee: 150 baht per person
Swiss Sheep Farm
Located just opposite of Santorini Park, the Swiss Sheep Farm is an European style countryside farm. It offers adults and children an opportunity to encounter and get up close with various tamed animals. Around the farm, you can find animals like sheeps, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits and even alpaca too. Visitors are allowed to feed these animals by using the coupon attached to the entrance ticket.
Well of course if you are visiting this farm with small children, definitely this is an ideal place for them. Small children will enjoy feeding the sheep, petting the rabbits and horse riding. As for the adult like us, we took this chance for another photo opportunity as this farm is creatively designed with multi dimensional paintings.
Location: Petchburi Road, Cha Am
Opening Hours: 10am to 7pm (Mon-Fri). 9am to 7pm (Sat & Sun)
Admission Fee: 120 baht for adult and 80 baht for child
Not all the nights market in Thailand opens daily. Similar to Cicada Night Market, it only opens on weekend, from Friday to Sunday. We're lucky enough to plan well our trip and grabbing our chance to visit Cicada before leaving Hua Hin on the next day.
Unlike any typical night markets, Cicada Night Market is a platform for local art groups of people to express and showcase their talent and creativity. Here, you will find a wide collection of handmade accessories, decorative items, creative knick knacks and souvenirs.
Besides the craft markets, there is an open-air food court where it offers all kinds of savoury snacks, local and international cuisines. So in case you are in Hua Hin during the weekend, don't forget to spare some time to visit this interesting and colourful night market.
All in all, Cicada Market reflects Hua Hin's laid-back yet vibrant personality. It's not just another outdoor night market but a place where you can chill out, appreciate art and even join in the fun.
Location: Suan Sri, Khao Takiab (on Phetkasem Road)
Opening Hours: 4pm to 11pm (Fri & Sat), 4pm to 10pm (Sun)
How To Get To Cicada Market: By taking songthaew and the charge is around 150-200 baht from Hua Hin town.
How Do We Get Around Hua Hin
We didn't pre-book any tour in advanced but we just randomly hired a taxi driver who we came across somewhere nearby the Hua Hin Night Market. There, you can find plenty of taxi drivers offering tour services to visitors. Our day tour around Hua Hin cost 1,800 baht covering from Hua Hin Railway Market, Plearn Wan Shopping Village, Santorini Park Cha Am, Swiss Sheep Farm to our last stop at Cicada Night Market. We bidded goodbye to our driver and then, we took songthaew back to our hotel. One day tour takes 8 hours, at least.
As for the hotel we stayed, we booked My Place @ Hua Hin Hotel. Check out my full post of this hotel here.
As for the hotel we stayed, we booked My Place @ Hua Hin Hotel. Check out my full post of this hotel here.
Wow artsy fartsy place <3. OMG that Greece looking place. Okay, I'll add this to my bucket list. Need the right group to go with though. I usually like these kinda place. So far, I've only been to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Nice read.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new place known as Khao Yai, also three hours from Bangkok. You can consider going there too
DeleteHua Hin looks very vibrant and exciting with night markets, beach and so much to explore. I have not visited this place yet.
ReplyDeleteMay I know how did you travel around Hua Hin? By taxi or public transport? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi there! My friends and I just randomly hired a taxi driver who we came across somewhere nearby the Hua Hin Night Market. There, you can find plenty of taxi drivers offering tour services to visitors.
DeleteExcellent post :)
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