Hua Hin is for sure one of the best travel destinations in the whole world. In Thailand, it is one of the top tourist destinations with a range of attractions sites, and activities to engage in that are guaranteed to make your trip memorable. But what’s the driving force behind its popularity? What’s the first thing people think of when they hear the words “Hua Hin”?
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What’s Hua Hin Known For?
The city of Hua Hin is known for tourism, with highlights such as Hua Hin Night Market, Hua Hin Train Station, Takiab Bay, and Pala Waterfall. Not far from Bangkok, it has a handful of breathtaking beaches, viewpoints, mountains, night markets, temples, water parks, and really good restaurants for you to choose from and enjoy all year round. Hua Hin is also known for hosting a variety of events and festivals.
Making Hua Hin your next travel location means you are in for a therapeutic joy ride as you will be amazed by the number of beautiful sand beaches, lively night markets, fun-filled beach and inland activities, and seaside seafood restaurants designed to leave your taste buds wanting more. Hold on, that isn’t all, there’s also something in this town for golf fans from around the world. Some of Thailand’s most popular golf courses can be found in Hua Hin.
The Takiab bay is among the top sensation of this beautiful city once home to kings, queens, royal family members, and the elites. At Takiab Bay, visiting hilltop Buddhist temples while appreciating the view and taking seaside horse rides are a few of the most sought-after activities.
Hua Hin is also known for providing affordable accommodation despite being a top tourist attraction center in Thailand. The streets and beachside are filled with affordable accommodations for the different classes of people, from luxurious resorts with the finest spa treats on the planet to simple guesthouses all situated in the happening areas.
Hua Hin is a seaside community with over sixty thousand residents and can be easily accessible by bus, cars, trains, and helicopters. Hua Hin is also known for its welcoming and warm Thai hospitality.
The Nightlife of Hua Hin
Compared to other major Thai beach travel destinations like Pattaya or Phuket, Hua Hin nightlife is somewhat small-scale as most of the activities are focused around sidewalk cafés restaurants, and bars selling affordable drinks with a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
The majority of sports bars with TVs, beer bars, and pubs can be found in Soi Bintabaht, in proximity to Hilton Hua Hin Resort. Other areas next to Soi Bintabaht in terms of nightlife are Soi 88 and Soi 94, and also Khao Takiap.
Shopping in Hua Hin
For certain, a vacation to Hua Hin would be incomplete without a shopping experience. It is also among the top activities Hua Hin is known for as there are lots of impressive shopping destinations a tourist or traveler wouldn’t want to miss. There’s pretty much everything a person could ever want, from souvenirs to seashells, string blinders, sculptures, paintings, and even the famous khomapatre fabric, all of which can be gotten from roadside vendors and top-tier shopping malls.
What are the Best Shopping Malls and Markets in Hua Hin?
There are a whole lot of shopping malls in Hua Hin with plenty of goodies to offer. Below are just a few of them.
Market Village Mall
This used to be the most popular market in Hua Hin before Blueport came into the spotlight. Although it is still recognized in space. This is home to absolutely anything a person can think of in Hua Hin. On the first floor is where you can find shops that sell clothes, furniture, and hard wares on the second floor, shops that sell electronics, operate banking activities, and beauty salons are situated on the third floor. The structure also has a section dedicated to entertainment with gaming and bowling areas and even a multiplex cinema. Here you can also find a few of the best food courts in Hua Hin, always packed with people during the day so it is advisable to avoid going there during rush hours as you may not have a place to sit. A whole bunch of souvenirs can be found in the basement of this mall.
The Market Village Mall is located at Phatkasem Rd, right next to Soi 88 with opening hours beginning from 10:30 am to 10 pm.
The Blueport Resort Mall
With over 100 outlets it is one of the biggest shopping malls in Hua Hin designed to be appealing to shopaholics in every way. This mega mall is connected to an intercontinental hotel which is a 5-star where shoppers can choose to relax and have fun after a shopping spree. Cafés and restaurants can be found on the ground floor of this mall offering all sorts of popular cuisines at good rates. In the basement is where you can find smaller shops. Top-tier fashion outlets can be found throughout the rest of the mall, the likes of TAG Heuer and Jaspal. The Blueport Resort Mall also has an entertainment center with a multiplex cinema having 6 halls.
The Blueport Resort Mall is located at Phetkasem Rd with opening hours that begin from 10 am to 10 pm.
The Seenspace Hua Hin
This mall is spectacular in its way. It has a food court with a view of the sea and also a swimming pool where you can relax and enjoy yourself after having a meal. Among all the malls in Hua Hin, the Seenspace is the most eccentric of them all and also the first of its kind (being a beachfront mall) in Thailand. At the rare is a nice beach with bean bags to sit, relax, and eat.
A variety of restaurants can be found in the open space serving the best dishes in Thailand. The best days to visit Seenspace are from Friday to Monday as the management organizes an open fair during weekends. This is the best time to find a really good piece of art at cheap rates.
Established in the year 2011, it is located in the Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, with opening hours beginning from 10 am to 10 pm.
The Local Markets of Hua Hin
The local markets of Hua Hin are also great avenues for an exciting shopping experience. Below is a list of the best local markets in Hua Hin you don’t want to miss out on for a great shopping experience. Number one on this list is the Cicada Market, and it is number one for good reasons.
Cicada Market
This is a very popular market in Hua Hin and it is situated on Khao Takiab Beach – one of the highlights of Hua Hin. This is an art-driven space full of talented artists and entertainment. Here is where you can find shops offering all kinds of artworks that are quite attractive. The art gallery here is superb with live artists you can watch perform or create a piece of art in an instant. Imagine going to a market of this caliber full of vibes at night and close to the sea, it would be a stunning experience leaving you with memories to cherish forever and tales to tell.
The Cicada market is divided into 4 zones all of which are unique, these zones include Cicada Art Factory, Cicada Cuisine, Art A La Mode, and Amphitheatre, all of these zones are self-defined and can tell what they represent by just looking at their names.
There is a whole lot to enjoy at the Cicada market ranging from the outdoor food court to live music performances, home decors, and also handmade accessories and souvenirs. This market’s opening hours begin from 4 pm to 11 pm.
Cha-Am Night Market
As the name implies, it is situated in Cha-Am and operates only at night. With bargaining skills, you can get pretty much whatever you want at good rates, from pets, toys for kids, souvenirs, and even animals. The food stalls sell really good dishes just like the rest of the night markets in Hua Hin.
Located in Narathip Rd, Cha-Am, their opening hours begin from 4 pm to 10 pm.
The Plern Wan Shopping Village
Experience the Thai culture in its purest form at the Plern Wan Shopping Village. The structure is of the same architecture as that of the neighboring shop houses and Bangkok. Restaurant, fashion, and gift stores can be found here and at really good rates too, including vintage furniture and artifacts. Weekends are the best market days as temple fairs are organized giving people the opportunity to feel the undiluted Thai culture. Furthermore, movie theatres and Ferris are open only during weekends.
Located at Phetkasem Rd with proximity to Klai Kang Won Palace, they have opening hours that begin from 10 am to 8 pm.
Hua Hin Grand Night Market
Populated by the locals and little of travelers, the Hua Hin Grand Night Market has a fleet of stalls and small-scale restaurants to support the hustle that comes with night markets. Just like in other night markets, the price of goods here is less expensive. Because more of the locals do go here for shopping, the food is purely Thai and delicious as well. The Hua Hing Grand Night Market would be a good place to start if you intend to experience the nature and the culture of the locals.
It is also situated on Petchkasem Rd in between Sao Paulo Hospital and the Grand hotel. The market’s opening hours begin from 6 pm to 11 pm.
Tamarind Market
This is another market with a really good shopping experience during the weekends. It is very close to the Cicada market, however, it is a more traditional Thai market. Artifacts aren’t sold here like it is done in the Cicada market but the food has managed to find its way into the spotlight making waves. The Tamarind market is more focused on selling food, jewelry, and clothes.
Situated in Nong Kae-Takiap, the opening hours here begin from 5 pm to 11 pm.
Hua Hin Antique Shop
The Hua Hin Antique Shop is an astonishing work of art although not pronounced in Hua Hin. This is home to art itself and other rare gems stored away. For art lovers or collectors, shopping in a place like this would be a dream come true as much as it is a must-visit destination. The furniture and antiques sold here are from places like India, Tibet, and Indonesia, Thailand too. The locals here have the privilege of receiving house-hunting services.
Located in Petchakasem Rd, the opening hours here begin from 9 am to 6 pm, but remain closed on Sundays.
Chat Chai Market
Chat Chai Market was established in 1926 to honor King Rama (VII). It is the biggest market that’s focused on selling fresh produce such as vegetables, seafood, and fresh fruits. If you seek to try out some delicious food while in Hua Hin then you wouldn’t want to miss out on this destination. At the south entrance is where you can find yummy noodles and desserts. Their seafood menu includes crispy squid, dried shrimp, sun-dried squid eggs, and dried fish.
Chat Chai Market can also be found in Petchkasem Rd, with opening hours that begin from 5 pm to 11 pm.
Hua Hin Night Market
In between the Railway Line and Petchkasem Rd is the Hua Hin Night Market with opening hours that begin from 6 pm to 11 pm. In this list, this is arguably the most famous local market in Hua Hin and the first of its kind. At night is when a whole district becomes lively with stalls and vendors selling everything a person could ever want, from handicrafts to art, DVDs, VCDs, souvenirs, fruits, food, etc. There exist several indoor restaurants offering local lip-smacking dishes among other varieties.
Khomapastr Market
The Khomapastr Market is a haven for traditional hand-made printed cotton, and has been around for a very long time living up to its legacy, and is popular throughout Thailand. Khomapastr is a brand established in 1948 by Prince Bovoradej and Her Seren Highness and has always lived up to its reputation by delivering the best cotton products to its customers.
Here is where you will find all kinds of printed fabric that can be used for various purposes such as home decoration, clothing, or accessories.
Their opening hours begin from 9 am to 5 pm and are located in Hua Hin District.
What are the Best Events and Festivals in Hua Hin?
The unique events and festivals in Hua Hin are also responsible for the popularity growth of the city. Every year, people travel far and wide to witness these events, and as such, at a certain time of the year, Hua Hin is often crowded. Below are some of the best events and festivals that take place in Hua Hin.
The International Kite Festival
Perfect for a family vacation with kids, you can partake in the international kite festival in Hua Hin from March to May when they’ll be enchanting breezes perfect for flying kites. In the early days, this activity was so popular that the entire country turned it into an annual tradition. The site of colorful and beautiful kites up in the sky as the wind blows is bound to bring excitement to spectators from all over the world. During this festival, you can engage in different activities such as contests and games all kite-related.
Hua Hin Jazz Festival
Experience jazz in its purest form every June as spectacular jazz musicians from around the world gathers in Hua Hin for the Jazz festival. This festival attracts the likes of famous Cuba’s Lazaro Valdes and United Kingdom’s Bill Bruford who come to perform live in Hua Hin. What better way is there to enjoy a vacation than watching a jazz performance from the best of the bests as you sip your well-mixed cocktail on the beach during sunset. This is the type of festival all of Hua Hin participates in and offers numerous sponsored activities where participants can win incredible gifts, and create memories meant to be cherished forever.
International Golf Festival of Hua Hin
This is for golf lovers and players alike and takes place during August. The 6 different local golf courses of the city are usually the venue for this great festival, the likes of the Springfield Village Golf and Spa, the Imperial Lake View Golf Club and Spa, the Palm Hills Country Club, and Golf Resort, and others. There are also organized free golf swing sessions by pros where you can learn this great sport, and also buy golf products offered at discounted rates.
Conclusion
There you have it, all-inclusive details of what Hua Hin is known for. At the mention of “Hua Hin, Thailand”, all you have to picture are lots of fun-filled activities, beautiful sceneries, luxurious resorts with restaurants, bars, and clubs, a superb shopping experience, and amazing nightlife.
