Khao Tao

Hua Hin


The next headland after Khao Takiab is Khao Tao (Turtle Mountain). It protects an idyllic little cove where Hat Sai Noi beach drops off quickly into the sea, providing a rare opportunity for deep-water swimming.

Wat Tham Khao Tao, on the north side of the hill, has quite a bit of Buddhist and other statuary in a concrete 'cave' in front of a small real cave. Keep walking further back to see even more colourful shrines and climb the stairs up to the Buddha on the hill. If you're walking or on a motorcycle, just follow the base of the hill from the beach to the temple; if you're driving a car, you need to go the long way around the reservoir.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hua Hin attractions

1. Hat Sai Noi

0.24 MILES

A small resort and a couple of restaurants operate here. Weekends bring the expected crowds, but it's fairly quiet on weekdays.

2. Pranburi Forest Park

2.95 MILES

Just north of the Pranburi River is an extensive natural mangrove forest. A 1km-long boardwalk with interpretive signs, some in English, lets you explore…

3. Ratchaphakdi Park

3.13 MILES

Standing 14m high and weighing in at 30 tonnes each, the beautiful bronze statues of Thailand's most revered kings tower over this park with an impressive…

4. Khao Takiab

4.17 MILES

About 7km south of Hua Hin, monumental Chopstick Mountain guards the southern end of Hua Hin beach. A steep road curves to the top of the 77m-tall…

6. Cicada Market

5.46 MILES

Vastly better than the city-centre Hua Hin Night Market, this popular place 3.5km to the south is a fun mix of food, shopping and performing arts. It's…

7. Hat Hua Hin

7.83 MILES

Hua Hin Beach is a pleasant, but not stunning, stretch of fine white powder lapped by calm grey-green waves. Remarkably shallow, it's made for strolling…

8. Hua Hin Train Station

7.83 MILES

Probably the most beautiful train station in Thailand, this red-and-white icon was built in 1926 to replace the original station. It has a Victorian…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "thailand/upper-southern-gulf/hua-hin/attractions/khao-tao/a/poi-sig/1629509/357806",
      "destination": "Hua-Hin",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Thailand",
      "city": "Hua-Hin",
      "position": "superzone"
    }