Planning
on travelling to Thailand? I am sure it is no secret that Bangkok is an absolute heaven
for wanderlusters who love cheap eats, good shopping and intriguing culture.
However, if you are looking for something different, then you have come to the
right place! Three-hour drive from Bangkok lies a city filled with wineries,
farms, and beautiful floral fields. Wait what? That exists in Thailand? Yes it
does, and you can find it all in Khao Yai. At the beginning
to 2018, I kick-started the year with a trip to Thailand. Instead of the usual
route, we added a road trip to Khao Yai to the itinerary before settling in Bangkok
for the remaining days.
Here
are 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem the next time you head to Thailand.
Read
till the end to see how you can get best flights from Kuala Lumpur to
Bangkok!
#1 Sunflower dream came true!
The
sunflower season in Khao Yai starts in the cooler season, which is November and
ends around January or February, before they are eventually harvested for their
seed and oil. My visit to Khao Yai in early February coincided nicely with the
blooming of sunflowers in their Pak Chong district. We were really lucky to
have caught the last blooms! I always love sunflowers because of its symbolism
of warmth and positivity. Therefore, coming to the sunflower field is my
ultimate goal of visiting Khao Yai. So it is like a dream come true for me!
Look at all the sunflowers smiling at us!
Can
you believe it? We spent the whole morning here just admiring these blooms. If you enjoy basking in the
sunshine and walking among the vibrant flowers under a sunny blue sky, you will
definitely love it here.
Tips: Be here early! We were the first in
the field and it felt as if the entire sunflower field belongs to us.
#2 Feed sheep, alpaca and donkeys at this Italian escape
If
you can’t go to Italy, let Khao Yai bring Italy to you in this Italian themed
square. Thanks to Primo Piazza, you no longer have to fly halfway across the
world to get a taste of Italy.
Tips: Instagram addicts, get your camera
ready, because every corner here is insta-worthy!
They
even have their very own farm and you can feed sheep, alpaca and donkeys here
too! They are incredibly friendly and adorable, and especially so if you lure
them close with a handful of grass.
#3 Be teleported to mini Italy at Palio Village
Yet
another beautiful Italian-inspired place, there are more photography spots
here! Add some colours to your Instagram feed with vibrant colour buildings as
background, with a market square reminiscent of those in Europe.
If
you have time, there are some souvenir shops and fashion boutiques for you to
shop.
Tips: Admission is free! Yayyy
#4 Living the farm life at Farm Chok Chai
Farm
Chok Chai is another famous tourist attraction in Khao Yai. We joined the Farm
Tour which covers several stations that will allow you to see the different
functions of this very big farm. The farm has over 3,000 head of exclusively
bred dairy cattle, which is a cross between Holstein-Friesian and a native Thai
species. They also have their very own brand of dairy products called Umm!..
Milk.
Personally
think the farm is especially fun and educational for kids! You get to milk a
cow, try their ice cream, hop on their tram truck and they will bring you
around. There are also cowboy show and animal showcases at the end of the tour.
Very windy and chilling afternoon!
Tips: I bought yoghurt and fresh milk before
leaving. Cheap and delicious!
#5 Indulge in a wine-tasting session at PB Valley Khao Yai
Winery
They
say your trip to Khao Yai will not be complete without a visit to PB Valley
Winery. I never know Thailand produce its own wine, but apparently PB Valley in
Khao Yai is one of the very first large scale and high professional wineries in
the tropical country and was well established since 1989.
Heard
a lot of good reviews regarding their winery tour, but we did not join the tour
because we were there late. We chose to dine at the Great Hornbill Grill
Restaurant to try their wine. It was a fantastic dinner, with the restaurant
overlooking the beautiful vineyard and mountain. Although we missed the tour,
but we did not regret for this visit.
Tips: Pre-book your tour online if you
intend to visit!
#6 Secret Art Garden Discovered
We
wanted to look for a place for lunch, and who knew we would discover this
hidden gem.
Secret
Art Garden is a café and art house perfect for people who love arts, crafts and
gardens. The café itself is located in the middle of a tranquil, undisturbed
garden surrounded by big trees and colourful flowers. We took some time to
wander around the garden after our lunch. As we walk further into the garden,
there are many different themed zones showcasing different sculptures and art
pieces. You will love how quiet, calm and comfortable the place is, as you
breathe in the fresh air and marvel at the lovely greenery.
I wish
I could stay here longer!
Tips: Allocate more time this place because
there are so much to discover, it will surprise you!
#7 Experience fine dining in a castle at Midwinter Green
I
have never been fine dining before. This is a night to remember because I
totally felt like a princess dining in a castle!
Look
at that white buildings resembling German castles! They are inspired by
Shakespeare’s play. The outdoor dining area is very spacious, overlooking the
magnificent view of mountains behind the green fields.
Not
only the outer building looks elegant and mysterious, the interior design is
impressive as well. Chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, pretty dining
tables, bar with wide selection of wine. I had to pinch myself to remind me
that I was not anywhere in Europe, but in Thailand!
We
asked for outdoor seats to enjoy the cool evening breeze, live music while
dining with a view of the castle.
Tips:
#8 Have High Tea At Thames Valley
Inspired
by the Thames River in London, Thames Valley is a unique hotel in Khao Yai with
a touch of English countryside elements. We didn’t stay here but we came here
for The Castle Restaurant & Tearoom, which opens for their hotel guests as
well as public.
Spacious
room with high ceiling, stone walls, large glass windows and beautiful
European-style furniture - I fell in love with the place immediately. Taking
pictures is almost effortless because of the wonderful decoration and
background, not to mention the generous exposure of natural lights!
Tips: Try their strawberry mille-feuille!
Every bite tastes like heaven!
#9 Café Hopping at The Birder’s Lodge
The Birder's Lodge is one of the few hipster cafes in Khao Yai. After spending a long day under the sun, we decided to chill at The Birder’s Lodge. Just want to show off the pretty pictures. #sorrynotsorry
#10 Special add on… Rak Na Khao Yai
Last
but not least, just want to highlight the place that we stayed because it is so picturesque as well! Highly recommended!
I
really love how peaceful and beautiful Khao Yai is :)
Next
time when you visit Thailand, why not explore this secret town of Khao Yai
just three hours north of Bangkok? Travel with ease with Traveloka Malaysia
and start planning a truly extraordinary trip now!
