Cha Am – THE INSIDE LNE

Is Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park the best in Thailand?

January 9, 2016April 13, 2017 James BaileyPlaces to visit

Now I'm fortunate enough that I am currently living within 1 hour of many spectacular Wats and shrines. Phra Nakhon Khiri is one said place, being a historical park in Phetchaburi, Thailand. Originally built by King Rama IV (King Mongkut), it is a testament to the wealth that has previously been seen in Thailand. It is located on a hill overlooking the city and can be seen from the highway if you are heading south towards Hua Hin. The name of Phra Nakhon Khiri translates to Holy City Hill, Thai locals know it better as Khao Wang, meaning hill with palace. Upon arriving at the temple, you will gain access to the top of the hill via a very modern looking cable car. You ascend quickly in the cable car up onto the 92m high hill. The entry price for a farang is 200thb, and on first inspection of the temple from the ground this looks like it is well over priced. It is not until you reach the top, that you are over whelmed by the amount of ground the palace actually takes up. There are many warning signs when you first get to the top indicating that you need to be very wary of the monkey's with the grounds. Take heed of this, as with most places that have a monkey colony. They can sometimes be aggressive, especially if provoked. The historical park consists of three structure groups, located on three separate peaks joined by manicured gardens and paved walking paths. The site itself was registered as a historical park in August 1979, with two of the palaces housing a branch of the Thai National Museum. On the peaks, you will find several Wats, the central peak houses a large chedi named Phra That Chom Phet, with the eastern peak housing Wat Phra Kaeo, the royal temple, built in similar fashion to the Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok.

Now I’m fortunate enough that I am currently living within 1 hour of many spectacular Wats and shrines. Phra Nakhon Khiri is one said place, being an historical park situated on a forested hillside at the edge of Phetchaburi, overlooking the city and […]