When it comes to Thailand, people often think about Bangkok. Beyond the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Khao Yai is a land of peace, greenery that satisfies the needs of relaxation and meditation. Khao Yai means “big mountain”, about 3 hours drive from Bangkok. Once coming here, you will breathe the fresh air as there are not many vehicles on the street, meet friendly locals while still having many fantastic tourist attractions waiting for you to explore. Let’s discover Khao Yai travel blog (Khao Yai blog): Top things to do in Khao Yai and best places to visit in Khao Yai — A peaceful paradise in the tourist country of Thailand with Living Nomads.
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1. Khao Yai National Park
Situated in the western part of the Sankamphaeng Mountains, the vast majority of Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat) is the third largest park in Thailand, covering an area of about 300 km², including mountainous and grassland areas. The average height of mountains in the park ranges from 400 to 1,000 meters above sea level, in which Khao Rom (1,351 m) is the highest one.
It is home to 3,000 species of plants, 320 species of birds such as the red Jungle Fowl and Coral-billed Ground-cuckoo, 66 species of mammals including black bears, elephants, gaurs, gibbons, deer, swine, …
When you come to Khao Yai National Park, you will be transported by exotic cars that have the upper part like a taxi while the back of which are connected by a large car-like cavity.
You can get to some mountain peaks to experience the panoramic view. Alternatively, taking part in a “wildlife safari” trip is also a great idea to explore Khao Yai National Park thoroughly. If you go in the evening, you will sit in the car and be instructed to shine light into the bushes, grasslands where the animal is hidden. Temperatures are often low at night so it is advisable to bring a jacket.
Khao Yai National Park
- Address: Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
- Price: 400 Baht / USD $11.30 (Adults), 200 Baht / USD $5.70 (Children)
2. The secret garden in Mount Klangdong
If you are an art or a garden lover, then this is absolutely a must when visiting Khao Yai, Thailand. Located in Klangdong, Oark Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Secret Art Garden is a private resort that attracts visitors when traveling to Khao Yai.
What are exciting things to do in a garden? there are much more wonderful things to do than you think, from immersing yourself in the flow of small streams, beholding small wooden houses and many unique architectural works of art designed and built by the owner of the garden.
After getting around the garden, stopping at a small cafeteria in Secret Art Garden, don’t forget to enjoy the excellent cold vinaigrette – one of the best Khao Yai’s beverages.A dream corner of the Secret Garden.
Secret Art Garden
- Address: 99 Moo 9, Klangdong Pakchong Nakorn Ratchsima, 30320
- Phone number: 044 993 939Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm daily except Wednesdays
- Entrance Fees: 60 Baht / USD $1.70
3. PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is the place where bottles of fine grape wine are produced. You will fall in love with the endless green vineyards, and every single corner can become an Instagram’s perfect background.
If you are lucky enough to come right on the harvest, you will be attracted by the millions of grapefruit hung on the branches – ingredients to make the bottle of good wine.
Let join the tour PB Valley Khao Yai Winery to enjoy the glass of wine. The wine tasting is the draw here, promise you a memorable day with your family or lover. After that, you can buy souvenirs made from grapes.
- Address: 02/2 Moo 5, Mitraparp Road Payayen Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30320
- Phone number: +66 81 733 8783
- Opening hours: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily
- Entrance Fees: Free (Tours from 200 Baht / USD $5.70)
4. Primo Piazza – a small corner of the Italians
Primo Piazza is also known as Little Italy, is a complex of restaurants, castles, streets … built in the style of Italian architecture. This place is always crowded whether it is on weekdays or weekends.
Feeding the sheep, horses and admire the lovely balconies covered by the green vines will definitely bring you truly pleasant moments.
- Address: 861 Moo 6, Thanarat Road, Tambol Nong Nam Daeng, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130
- Phone number: 0440999005
- Opening hours: Fri to Sat (9am to 12pm); Sun to Thurs (9am to 10pm)
- Entrance Fees: 100 Baht / USD $2.80 (Adult), 50 Baht / USD $1.40 (Child)
5. Panorama Farm
Panorama Farm or also called as Mushroom Farm is a farm that grows a variety of mushrooms, from mushrooms to cat mushrooms. Some are grown indoors, and some are grown outdoors. Visitors can participate in the process of packing sawdust to plant, or picking up fresh mushroom.
What is more, Panorama Farm has built several mushroom-shaped houses, two stories tall and surrounded by a small pool. The path is paved with small stones, suitable for you to go barefoot for natural massage.
So you can spend a night here to simply relax. You can buy fresh mushrooms and take them home for meals.
Coming to the mushroom farm, you will enjoy crispy mushroom snacks and drinks made from mushroom too.
Khaoyai Panorama Farm
- Address: 297 Moo 6, Thanarat Road, Nong Nam Daeng, Pak Chong 30130
- Phone number: 044 756 234
- Opening hours: Mon – Fri (9am to 5pm), Sat- Sun (9am to 6pm)
6. Fram Chokchai
Fram Chokchai is an ideal destination for those traveling with family, as the farm will bring full of joy to kids.
Fram Chokchai is a vast land for dairy cattle and has a small workshop for making ice cream. There are many fun activities here, you can either participate in the work of milking cow or make your own strawberry/ chocolate cream to taste or pack to home. Does it sound amazing?
Chokchai also grows clean rice and vegetables without spraying. You will also have the opportunity to buy home the fresh vegetables, the bag of Thai rice.This is also a time for you to learn new skill – how to milk cows in the farm.
Farm Chok Chai
- Address: 159-160 Moo 2 Friendship Highway, Pak Chong
- Phone number: 0651 558 5280
- Opening hours: Tues to Fri (10am to 2pm); Weekends 10am to 2.40pm. (Tours leave every 20 minutes)
- Entrance Fees: 300 Baht / USD $8.50 (Adult), 150 Baht / USD $4.20 (Child)
What to eat when visiting Khao Yai?
In Khao Yai, there are many good restaurants along the roads of locals with reasonable prices. In addition, you can dine at some European-style restaurants such as:
Dairy Home Restaurant
The restaurant is decorated in fairy-tale style, lined with wood and serves Italian-style dishes. After enjoying the delicious dessert of ice cream, you can bring the glasses to the store and exchange for the beautiful porcelain cups as souvenirs without paying extra. Simply cups are included in the cost of meals.
Teamo Restaurant
Italian-style restaurant with dishes such as pizza, spaghetti, BBQ. It is such a great place to spoil yourself!. At night, you will enjoy the dinner while hearing the piano and English songs from the 80s – 90s of the indigenous singers.
Farm Chokchai
You can also sign up with the farm a deliciously prepared lunch getting good compliments by many visitors. Khao Yai Palio – the kingdom of nice local souvenir shops
Baan Mai Chai Nam Restaurant
Located in a complex of shops and souvenirs, along with a small river, specializing in serving Thai dishes. Coming here, you will enjoy the whole taste of the country’s gold pagoda.
Chocolate Factory
Besides enjoying the food, you can also have a chance to learn basically how to make fresh chocolate.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Khao Yai you can refer to
- Khao Yai Custom Tour from Bangkok: National Park, Palio Village, Chok Chai Farm, and More
- Khao Yai All-Time Favorites Private Tour from Bangkok
- Private Khao Yai Multiple Days Custom Tour from Bangkok
- 4-Day/5-Day Khao Yai Full Experience Private Tour from Bangkok
- Private Car Charter Between Bangkok and Khao Yai by Oriental Holiday
- 1-Day, 2-Day, or 3-Day Khao Yai Nature & Wildlife Private Tour from Bangkok
- [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
- 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
- 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
- 4G Portable WiFi for Thailand from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)
Read more Thailand travel guide here. And Bangkok.