Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park in Phetchaburi

Description and is it worth a visit

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park is the largest a landmark of Phetchaburi. Almost in the very center of the city, on a hill 92 meters high, there are several temples, pagodas and other interesting historical places at once. It should be included in your city tour program without fail. This is the only place in Phetchaburiwhere they charge an entrance fee.

The hill on which the historical park is located is called Khao Wang or Palace Hill. King Rama IV liked this place so much in the nineteenth century that he gave the order to build one of his vacation residences here. In 1859, the construction of the palace in a mixed European-Thai style was completed, and, of course, temples "grew" around it. It is said that here the king satisfied his passion for astronomy in the breaks of rest between state affairs.

Although the hill is relatively low, only 92 meters, in fact it is not easy to inspect it, especially under the scorching heat. If it works, it is better to start sightseeing in Phetchaburi with it early in the morning, while it is not too hot, because here you will have to walk a lot, and up and down the steps. This fate is slightly facilitated by the funicular, which will take you to a height of about 30 meters for 30 baht, where the entrance to the park and the ticket office are already located. If you are on your own transport, then you may not need a funicular, because you can climb a little hill to the parking lot.

If you want to see everything in the historical park, you will have to allocate more than four hours for this. Everything can be viewed in two hours. All the sights on the hill are connected by footpaths, there are signs. During the walk you will see many different buildings of the former royal palace. All of them are available for inspection inside, but there is nothing to do there, since they are all empty and abandoned. It's much more interesting to inspect everything from the outside. On one of the hilltops there is a large white stupa, inside which you can and should enter. The Royal Museum of Rama IV and Rama V is organized in one of the palaces.

Another local attraction in quotes are monkeys. There are a lot of them here, and they are very aggressive, than there are warnings everywhere. They easily take food and small items from tourists, spoil unattended vehicles, and sometimes even attack in packs, so be careful with them.

And one more thing. If you manage to stay in the city until the evening, the palaces and stupas on the hill are very beautifully illuminated. It turns out just wonderful photos, but you will need a tripod for shooting.

Photo of the historical park