Hua Hin was formerly a small sleepy fishing village before the royal family started to visit and built a holiday home there, which was the first resort in Thailand. Today, it is still popular with the Thai people to visit because of the link with the royal family, and foreign tourists love it as well. If you are planning on a trip to Hua Hin and you are not sure what to do when you get there, here are some of the highlights.
Hua Hin Beach
There are many hotels in Hua Hin beach area, and the beach stretches for around 8 km, which is one of the reasons it is so popular with visitors. You will see many water sports in this area, including snorkelling, swimming, paragliding, and kite surfing. Still, you do need to be careful of the jellyfish which are usually present during the rainy season. You can relax on the beach and soak up the sun, enjoy some food or a refreshing drink, and even have a massage.
Black Mountain Water Park
If you are looking for something a bit more exciting than what you find on Hua Hin beach, then you may wish to consider a trip to Black Mountain Water Park, which is a short drive away from Hua Hin beach. There are many different water slides you can enjoy, as well as a wave pool and a river that you can enjoy floating along. A visit here is the perfect way to cool down on those hot sunny days, just remember to take your sun block.
Cicada Market
Somewhere that is popular with locals and tourists is Cicada Market, which is a craft market packed full of handmade goods and art. The market is split into four different sections;
- Art a la Mode
- Art Indoors
- Art of Act
- Art of Eating
There is a wide variety of handicrafts and handmade goods for sale, as well as art, and you can also enjoy different kinds of live performances, and a host of delicious foods.
Maruekhathaiyawan Palace
The Maruekhathaiyawan Palace was built in the 1920s for King Rama VI and today sees many tourists visiting the summer seaside retreat for the royal family. Not used by the modern royal family today, it has been preserved and opened up to the public o allow them to explore. There is a network of walkways and verandas to help keep the sun off, and you can also hire a bike and explore the grounds at your own pace.
Hutsadin Elephant Foundation
If you are visiting Thailand, you need to see the elephants, and the Hutsadin Elephant Foundation is popular with many visitors and is an attraction that treats the animals ethically. Spend a day at the park and learn about these beautiful animals and you can enjoy feeding them, as well as bathing them.
