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Day 1 Highlights
Rai Maneesorn (Sunflower Field)
Midwinter Green Khao Yai (Restaurant)
Day 2 Highlights
Khao Yai National Park (Important Information)
Khao Yai 30km. View Point (in Khao Yai National Park)
Dinner at ครัวหญ้าคาเขาใหญ่ (Thai Restaurant)
Day 3 Highlights
The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai
| Best time to visit Khao Yai: | End November to Early January |
| Recommended length of visit at Khao Yai: | ~ 3 nights (max. 4 nights at best, and really stretching it!) |
With the constant advertisements on the things to do beyond Bangkok city itself, we have places like Hua Hin (~ 2.5 hours from Bangkok) and Khao Yai (~ 3 hours from Bangkok) popping up every so often. Which reminds me, I should probably start working on my Hua Hin article soon huh. 😀
Khao Yai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khao Yai National Park is the third largest and probably the most visited! If you were to do a quick google image search on Khao Yai, you would probably see quaint-looking buildings that you would not believe they are actually located in Thailand. The buildings / hotels are designed to make you feel like you are in some European scene immersed in lush green calmness. Well, at least that was my impression of Khao Yai even before I went. Oh and also not to forget the amazing sunflower fields filling the entire vista!
There are so many luxurious themed hotels that will take your breath away and be just spoil for choices, so I will not delve into that. Let me bring you through my 4D3N stay at Khao Yai – things in my itinerary you can probably forgo and things that are must dos!
Day 1 Highlights: Rai Maneesorn (Sunflower Field)
| Operating Hours: | 07 00 – 18 00 daily |
| Entrance Fee: | Foreigner: 80 Baht / pax Local Adult: 40 Baht / pax Local Child: 20 Baht / pax (collection of fee happens at the carparking area; someone will signal you to wind down your window and pay up as you are parking your vehicle) |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 1 – 2 hours (depending on how intense you want your sunflower selfie game to be) |
| Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
We arrived at the sunflower field at about 16 30. Considering that the sun would be setting in about 1.5 hours’ time, there were not many visitors. The evening air was cooling and crisp! There was not much I could ask for. Everyone could find their own little spot around the big vast field to have plentiful of beautiful pictures with the sunflowers and not be obstructed. The distant sunset as the backdrop added an awesome texture to the whole peripheral vision I must say!
You will not be stopped by anyone when you step onto and between the rows of sunflowers on the planting field. Just make sure you are gracious enough to do not pluck, destroy or stomp on any sunflowers in the process! 😀
As there are not much shady areas to hide from the sultry afternoon sun, I suggest visiting the field in the morning or evening! I would prefer the evening.
This sunflower field is a must visit place when in Khao Yai. You have to make sure you do not miss it!
Day 1 Highlights: Midwinter Green Khao Yai (Restaurant)
| Operating Hours: | 10 00 – 22 00 daily |
| Personal Breakdown Rating: (out of 5) | Ambience 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Service 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Food Quality 🙂 🙂 |
| Overall Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
| Total Damage (per pax): | ~ 1150 Baht (This also depends on what exactly you are order. We had 2 mains and 2 sides.) |
The WOW factor of course came from the ambience. I have to say it is probably one of the most romantic dinner spots I have seen, especially the outdoor seating – which by the way, has people queuing for. We decided to take the indoor seating as it was a pretty cold night and I was already freezing my arse off just walking from the parking lot all the way to the restaurant.
The outdoor seating took my breath away with its dim lightings and candles on each table. There was also a stage outside with a live band. I would say it would make a perfect date night! However, being me, I could not appreciate it that much as I wonder how long would anyone’s bowl of cream of mushroom soup remain hot out in the cold? 15 seconds or less? Haha! 😀
The restaurant’s property is amazingly lit. Alas, food wise… … I would say for the price I paid for, it was definitely going to the ambience. I could get better food with such a price point elsewhere I reckon, but of course that is just my opinion.
Unless you just want to splurge and have a chill expensive dinner night out, I would think you can just give this restaurant a miss.
Khao Yai National Park (Important Information)
| Address: | There are 2 entrances into Khao Yai National Park. Khao Yai National Park Southern Fee Entrance Station Noen Hom, Mueang Prachinburi District, Prachin Buri 25230, Thailand Khao Yai National Park Northern Fee Entrance Station Lam Takhong Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand I would reckon most of us would be coming in from the Northern entrance as most accommodations are located there. |
| Operating Hours of Khao Yai National Park: | 06 00 – 18 00 daily |
| Entrance Fee: (one-time payment into the park will allow you to see all the sights within the park) | Adult Foreigner: 400 Baht / pax Child Foreigner: 200 Baht / pax Local Adult: 40 Baht / pax Local Child: 20 Baht / pax NOTE: Entrance ticket is only valid for 1 day. If you are setting up camp or staying in some bungalows in the National Park, then the ticket is valid for 3 days! |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 6 – 8 hours |
| Overall Personal Rating of National Park: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 (a brush of fresh air in the outskirts) |
Day 2 Highlights: Haew Suwat Waterfall (in Khao Yai National Park)
| Operating Hours: | follow that of Khao Yai National Park |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 1 hour |
| Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
We were there at about 09 00 and there were already quite a handful of people. From the parking lot, we had to walk 200 m on uneven ground and down a series of flight of stairs. Definitely wearing firm gripping shoes is much needed.
You need to navigate through loose rocks underfoot and boulders before having the waterfall directly right in front of you.
To get a more artistic angle of the waterfall, venture further towards a mini cave-like indent on the right. Not much people would manoeuvre their way there, so you have quite a bit of personal space to enjoy the waterfall!
This sight was definitely a nice way to start the cold morning!
Day 2 Highlights: Haew Narok Waterfall (in Khao Yai National Park)
| Operating Hours: | follow that of Khao Yai National Park |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 1 hour |
| Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
We were there at about noon, and oh boy the crowd was man insane. By this time, the weather was not very forgiving. The humidity, together with the mosquitoes, were starting to get to our skin.
We started with a gentle descend on concrete ground for about 10 minutes followed by crossing a wooden bridge. There was a rest point and a viewing area of the river before a flight of steps up.
Thereafter, we had to make our way down a series of incredibly narrow steep steps to the viewing deck of the waterfall. Good thing there were handle bars on each side for people to have an additional grip, as it can be proven a challenge for some visitors.
There is no rush, so just take your time to make your way there!
Comparing Haew Suwat Waterfall and this waterfall, I would prefer the earlier. I guess the part of manoeuvring through the boulders and getting into the little cave-like indent still gets to me instead of just mere viewing the waterfall from the top deck down.
On a side note, not related to this waterfall… …We settled for a simple lunch at Noen Homme Café (just outside Khao Yai National Park, exiting the Khao Yai National Park Southern Fee Entrance Station), about 15 minutes’ drive from the waterfall.
Oh I have to say, their sliced cake was so so good. I am not sure if it was because I was so hungry, but it was really good. Haha! 😀
Day 2 Highlights: Khao Yai 30km. View Point (in Khao Yai National Park)
| Operating Hours: | follow that of Khao Yai National Park |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 20 minutes |
| Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
After speaking with Noen Homme Café owner, we took a longer respite and decided to forgo the other attractions that was planned. She recommended that we headed back as the sun was setting and the drive to the Khao Yai National Park Northern Fee Entrance Station was a distance away. She mentioned that wild animals tend to start roaming at dusk and can be a little dangerous.
Hence, we decided to just take our time to drive back to our accommodation up North now that we had quite a bit of time to spare having forgo an attraction or two!
This viewing point was unplanned. There were many cars parked on the side, and that caught our attention. We decided to follow suit and did not regret it! The view was amazingly calming! You can see the distant hills and the valley just below. It was evening and the cool breeze now envelopes the surroundings. A nice way to end of a day trip in Khao Yai National Park!
Day 2 Highlights: Dinner at ครัวหญ้าคาเขาใหญ่ (Thai Restaurant)
| Address: | 101/3 หมู่5 ตำบลหมูสี ปากช่อง Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand |
| Operating Hours: | 10 00 – 20 00 daily |
| Personal Breakdown Rating: (out of 5) | Ambience 🙂 🙂 🙂 Service 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Food Quality 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
| Overall Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
| Total Damage (per pax): | ~ 425 Baht (this also depends on what exactly you are order) |
It was a random Google searched restaurant just 5 minutes’ drive from our accommodation. We wanted to eat something local. For the price range and quality of Thai dishes, I would imperatively say I would go back again. Really not a bad Thai restaurant! Yum yum! Ah how I miss Thai food!
Day 3 Highlights: Palio Khao Yai
| Operating Hours: | Sunday – Thursday (08 30 – 21 00) Saturday & Public Holiday (08 30 – 22 00) |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 1.5 – 2 hour |
| Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
We started the day by ambling through a shopping complex that is Tuscan village-themed. I would say there are probably only 3 reasons for you to decide on heading to Palio Khao Yai.
Uno: You are into little handmade trinkets and quirky-looking items for gifts and souvenirs.
Dos: You want a nice place to relax and have a cuppa; soaking up the chill Sunday vibes.
Tres: You want to have an Instagram-worthy shot or shots.
If you want none of the above, I would say just give this a miss. You are not really missing out. Haha! I would not go back to this place again. Not because it is not nice, but I guess themed places maybe isn’t my cuppa, if you know what I mean. Of course, if you are referring to themed parks then that’s totally different! 😀
But I must say this place would definitely score you some insta-worthy shots! That’s for sure!
Day 3 Highlights: The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai
| Operating Hours: | 09 30 – 21 30 daily |
| Overall Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 |
| Total Damage (per pax): | Approx. typical pricing in a café. |
Aye… … I do not know how to put this gently, so just ‘no’ would suffice. That is basically all I can say. Unless you want to buy chocolates home as gifts or even just for yourself, I would not come here. I do not know if the chocolates are nice, because they do not give out samples, but J did bought like a couple back.
Her review and direct quote? ‘It’s not a must buy. Just buy for fun… …to show your support and presence there (Khao Yai).’
Well… ok my darlings, if you want to show your support for local products, then I guess, go right ahead.
We did not dine at the restaurant, just at the café, and had ordered 2 items off their menu. I suggested ordering a third item afterward, not because they were good, but because I wanted to wash down the previously 2 items ordered. It was just not to our taste.
I would say if you love After You Dessert Café in Bangkok, then just stick with that. You can skip this.
Day 3 Highlights: PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
| Operating Hours: | Sunday – Thursday (08 00 – 20 00) Friday & Saturday (08 00 – 22 00) |
| Recommended length of visit: | ~ 1.5 – 2 hour (if you are dining at the restaurant, then of course it would be longer) |
| Personal Rating: (out of 5) | 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
Other than the sunflower field which I was excited for, visit to this winery was also one of the top things I was looking forward to! I have never been on a vineyard, so I guess new experiences are always refreshing!
PB Valley Estate is the largest vineyard in Khao Yai. The Estate has wine tasting tours that includes a professional guided tour around the vineyard and the explanation about the various wines and grapes.
Guided tours are conducted 6 times daily, and it is about 70 minutes. For more details and booking, click here.
We took the latest tour slot. I would suggest for that as it is much cooling in the evening and fewer people as well. You could also end off your tour with dinner at the restaurant!
TIPS?!
| 1 | If you want to visit the sunflower field, then December is the golden month for you. We went during the first week of December. The flowers bloomed perfectly and plentiful! As we were driving around Khao Yai, we saw many other smaller sunflower patches, so it was not only at Rai Maneesorn. |
| 2 | We did not fully explore Khao Yai National Park, as it is pretty huge. However, there is one sight I thought it would be nice if we had gone to. Khao Chiew Viewpoint (Pha Diew Dai Cliff). Maybe you can check that out and see it for yourself! 😀 |
IGTV
I would say this mini road trip to Khao Yai was quite an all rounded one; covering some waterfall attractions, a sunflower field and a vineyard. If you are looking for a sweet escape from Bangkok’s city buzz, then Khao Yai is definitely a scene for you!
So let’s believe that there’s just so much more out there in this world. Believe that there’s so much beauty in this world and Travel Whenever!
For now, let’s just stay home until it is safe.
Dee