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This
section you will find ideas on places to visit in and around
hotel arranged in geographical direction from the town. These
visits can normally be completed in a day. You may prefer to
organize your own itinery using combinations on any of the different
points of interest indicated in this section ; the possibilities
are many.
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Ko Loi Srimaharaja (10
minutes from hotel)
It used to be a meditation spot for monks who crossed the channel
in paddle boats until King Chulalongkorn's consort ordered the construction
of a temple to protect the town and a rock causeway for easy access
to the temple (now a paved road). The temple is built at the top with
statues of no particular aesthetic interest, but the view is great.
Northwards you look towards Bang Saen, directly across the water is
Ko Si Chang and southward is Sriracha.
 Nong
Mon Market (15 minutes from hotel)
Famous for its seafood products such as salted fish and squid,
fish sauce, dried shrimps, etc... and their sticky rice cooked in
bamboo.
Sriracha Tiger Farm (20 minutes from hotel)
Attractive new zoo and tiger farm with lots of crocodiles, also
tigers, camels, deer, etc.
Mini Siam (25 minutes from
hotel)
This miniature city offer replicas of 80 sacred places and important
historical sites around thailand at scale of 1 to 25. Some examples
are the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Wat Phra Srisanpeth. Anantasamakom
Throne Hill, Phra Puttha-yodfah Bridge over the River Khwae, the golden
Stupa and Phimai Khmer Sanctuary.
 Marine
science Museum (30 minutes from hotel)
Burapa University. It is an institute studying the marine life
in the Gulf of Thailand. It is divided into 3 parts; the museum, the
laboratories and the aquarium.
Aug Sila (40 minutes from hotel)
All along the road you will see masons fashion popular mortars
and pestles from local granite. They do beautiful stone sculpture.
You can stop at any of them and watch them at work. You can buy or
have anything sculptured for you. You need to bargain a lot, the prices
tend to be dearer on a special order.
 Khao
Kheow Open Zoo-Sriracha (45 minutes from hotel)
Animals include bears, elephants, buffalos, monkeys, snakes, barking
deer, etc. The key attraction is the huge aviary. This structure cover
over 200 acres and houses more than 100 different kinds of birds.
Walk through it; it is wonderful for bird lovers
Nong Nooch Village (50 minutes from
hotel)
The village is set on a 600 acres beautifully landscaped park.
It features orchid nurseries, a cactus garden and a man made lake.
There have daily cultural shows that include numerous folk dances,
traditional ceremonies, sword fighting, cock fighting, and Thai boxing
demonstrations. And of course, there is an elephant show.
Wat Luang Prumurat (60 minutes from hotel)
Bats hang from the trees to the night. These foot-long bats are
fierce looking and make piercing noises in their constant fighting.
Crocodile Farm (60 minutes from hotel)
The farm includes a stone park, Bonsai garden, a wide variety
of animals like
tigers and antelopes and, of course, crocodiles! They have daily shows.
Wat Yansangwararam (80 minutes from
hotel)
You will enter through a temple gate. It is built under the present
King's patronage and it's unique for it's modern Thai architecture.
Interesting Chinese Museum in the grounds.
Chinese
Temple
The temple is much revered by the Chinese who visit the shrine
in great numbers at Chinese New Year. From the pier, walk 5 minutes
up the low hill until you reach the temple staircase. Be ready for
a very steep climb!! It leads you to the top of the shrine where
there is another replica of the Buddha's foot print. The view down
over the island interior and surrounding coastline is wonderful.
From the foot of the temple, walk another 10 minutes. It
will bring you to the north of the island and to Hin Khom (known
as round stone beach). A kilometer further on follow the sign to
Tampang Beach. This is the best beach on the island.
The next attraction on the main road is the ruins of the King's
palace. This was the summer palace of King Chulalongkorn. The construction
began in 1889 after Rama V's physician recommended Ko Si Chang as
a place for rest with a better climate for his royal consort and
her son. The final visit of King Chulalongkorn was in 1893.
Afterwards, the French gunships attacked the Thai Navy (in a territorial
dispute) and occupied the island from 1893 until 1907. Little now
remains of the extensive palace structure. The main palace building
is now located in Bangkok. Climbing the staircase which once led
up to it, you will find on the left, Wat Asdang Nimitr with a chapel
and a pagoda in European architectural style and a "bell rock"
wrapped in cloth. It overlooks the small, shallow Tauvang Beach,
a popular Thai picnic spot. |
