Exploring Hua Hin Beyond the Shoreline, Discovering Its Hidden Treasures – A Deep Dive into Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a coastal destination, but some of the best things to do here are found beyond its shoreline. Here’s a guide to this delightful Thai city and discovering its hidden gems and treasures.
Where Is It?
Hua Hin is a city in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province of Thailand. It’s about 200 kilometres from Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand. You can easily get here by road or train from Bangkok. It’s a popular destination with both domestic and international travellers.
Best Time to Visit
Thailand is a year-round destination, and the same holds true for its city, Hua Hin. However, most travellers prefer to visit during the dry season when the rainfall is minimal. The dry season spans from November to April, bringing you plenty of sunshine.
December to February is the peak tourist season, so expect crowds and high prices. If you wish to find a balance between good weather and prices, visit between March to April.
Places to Stay
Your vacation is as good as the resort or hotel you choose. This is because accommodation plays a major role any vacation. Find a hotel in Hua Hin close to tourist attractions in the city, and you’ll save yourself time and money. If you have a liking for all things luxury, find a place with suites, swimming pools, restaurants, spas, and kids’ clubs. More importantly, the place should have a central location – Avani+ Hua Hin Resort, for instance, is located close to popular attractions in the city.
Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin Beach deserves a mention in every Hua Hin travel guide. It’s an 8-kilometre long stretch of sand facing eastward, making it a popular spot for watching the sunset. Visit during the day, and you’ll find a setting ideal for both relaxation and adventure. Beach volleyball, banana boat riding, and jet skiing are some of the best things to do here. The water is pleasantly warm for a midday swim, but be aware of jelly fish; they take shelter in the shallow waters during the low season.
Hua Hin Railway Station
Venturing beyond the shore, you’ll find Hua Hin Railway Station. Its history traces back to 1911. The station sits next to the royal waiting room, another popular landmark in Hua Hin. The architecture is undeniably Thai, but the station also exudes a Victorian feel. Hua Hin was initially established as a getaway for the royals. Back then, boat travel was the most common method of transportation, and trains were new. But royals wanted to use trains to get to Hua Hin, and so the station was built.
Cicada Market
Indulge in some street-style shopping at Cicada Market. It’s a great place to soak up the local ambience and purchase handmade items and artworks. The market has several sections dedicated to entertainment, art, and fashion. Art a la Mode is a section dedicated to fashion. On the other hand, Art Indoors is where you find the majority of paintings and other similar artworks.
Cicada is a weekend market, so get here on a Saturday or a Sunday, and you’ll bring home with you a hoard of local treasures.
Hua Hin Night Market
A traditional marketplace in Hua Hin, the Hua Hin Night Market is a must-visit for a complete experience. It’s one long street lined by local vendors selling all sorts of things. Get here after 6.30 PM for an unforgettable shopping experience. Here, you find everything typical of a Thai street market. You can also try a variety of dishes at seafood restaurants dotting the market. Prices are low, there’s so much variety, and the food is incredibly fresh.
Black Mountain Water Park
If you’ve brought your kids with you, you must take them to Black Mountain Water Park. Located just 10 kilometres from Hua Hin, the park sits amidst mountains facing an artificial lake. There are 9 slides in total, along with a lazy river, a beach pool, and a wave pool. The park is one of the most popular family attractions in Hua Hin. Plus, there’s a golf course nearby.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
Not everyone puts the effort into visiting Phraya Nakhon Cave, but those who do are in for a treat! Its location is not easily reachable, and the cave is all the more mystical and intriguing for it. The cave sits within the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Getting here involves a 45 minute drive from Hua Hin to Bang Pu. From there, you need to take a boat to Laem Sala beach. If you’re up to it, you can trek for 30 minutes to get to the beach.
