Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang), Petchaburi

[Big Boy]

Situated about 40 miles North of Hua Hin in the city of Petchaburi, Phra Nakhon Khiri is located on a hill overlooking the city. The name Phra Nakhon Khiri means Holy City Hill, but locals know it better as Khao Wang, meaning hill with palace. This is the most important tourist attraction of the province.

The park consists of three building groups, located on the three peaks of the 92m high hill. On the western peak is the actual palace with adjoining structures. The middle or central peak is a big chedi named Phra That Chom Phet. The eastern peak houses the Wat Phra Kaeo, the royal temple, built in similar fashion to the Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. The whole complex was built as a summer palace by King Mongkut, with construction finished in 1860.

The site was registered as a historical park on August 27, 1979, with two of the palace buildings now housing a branch of the Thai National Museum.

This report will be presented in 3 parts:

Part 1 - Phra Nakhon Kiri National Museum

The view over Phra That Chon Phet (Great White Pagoda) and Wat Phra Kaeo

The landscaped gardens on the way up.

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Scattered historical buildings

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Scattered water features

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The palace terracing offering fantastic views

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Plotting our route to the next attractions

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[migrant]

Enjoyed it there!

[hhfarang]

As with other places, be aware that the monkeys can be aggressive there and will grab things you are carrying in search of food (protect that expensive camera).

I wish I was quick enough to have gotten a video of what happened when we took my mother in law there. She (70ish years old) was carrying a small bottle of drinking water and a monkey suddenly grabbed one end of it. She, being a tough old bird, hung on to the other end and a tug of war ensued for a full minute with the bottle being pulled towards first the monkey, then back by my MIL. It was hilarious to watch, but then someone yelled (in Thai) for her to let go or the monkey would bite her so she let him have it.

[Big Boy]

I wish I was quick enough to have gotten a video of what happened when we took my mother in law there. She (70ish years old) was carrying a small bottle of drinking water and a monkey suddenly grabbed one end of it. She, being a tough old bird, hung on to the other end and a tug of war ensued for a full minute with the bottle being pulled towards first the monkey, then back by my MIL. It was hilarious to watch, but then someone yelled (in Thai) for her to let go or the monkey would bite her so she let him have it.

Same happened to my son going up the steps to the top of Khao Takiab. My son was afraid to kick the monkey because people were watching (it wouldn't have stopped me). My son has literally kicked in self defence for England, so the monkey doesn't realise how lucky he was.

[PeteC]

He was Rama IV of Anna and the King fame...just for reference. Pete

[Big Boy]

Thanks for that snippet Pete, I wasn't aware.

[PeteC]

He was an important one, perhaps the most important in modern times, as he was the first to begin to open the country to Western innovation and ideas. Pete

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongkut

[migrant]

I wish I was quick enough to have gotten a video of what happened when we took my mother in law there. She (70ish years old) was carrying a small bottle of drinking water and a monkey suddenly grabbed one end of it. She, being a tough old bird, hung on to the other end and a tug of war ensued for a full minute with the bottle being pulled towards first the monkey, then back by my MIL. It was hilarious to watch, but then someone yelled (in Thai) for her to let go or the monkey would bite her so she let him have it.

Same happened to my son going up the steps to the top of Khao Takiab. My son was afraid to kick the monkey because people were watching (it wouldn't have stopped me). My son has literally kicked in self defence for England, so the monkey doesn't realise how lucky he was.

When we went a small monkey stole a water bottle from our niece. As the monkey started to drink a larger monkey came up, smacked him, and took the bottle. The niece loved it!!

[Big Boy]

Part 2 - Phra That Chon Phet (Great White Pagoda)

We left the Phra Nakhon Kiri National Museum and started the steep descent down the hillside on the adequate rural footpath.

This footpath through the woods was lovely. You couldn’t rush because of the steepness, but the forest and in particular the butterflies were lovely. Unfortunately at the bottom, we had to start the ascent again to the next attraction. The final staircase to the Pagoda had extremely high steps, which were uncomfortable to climb.

Looking back towards Phra Nakhon Kiri National Museum

Looking forward to our next destination, Wat Phra Kaeo

The adequate footpaths through the forest.

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Deep inside the Pagoda

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Looking up at the Pagoda from the viewing platform.

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[Big Boy]

Part 3 - Wat Phra Kaeo

Again we had to follow our woodland footpath downhill before we could start our climb to Wat Phra Kaeo.

The walk was just as lovely, and we still had our monkey escort. However, the temple was just ‘another’ temple, but it did offer some more fantastic views. OK, they were a little different to the views from the previous 2 hilltops, but it might be considered a ‘hill too far’. Apart from dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a lovely visit, it didn’t really add much value (for me).

View from the temple

Another Pagoda

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This temple has seen better days, or was it still suffering after recent storms?

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View through an arch

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Buddha Image

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[PeteC]

That's the same transliterated spelling used (in some instances) for the Emerald Buddha wat in Bangkok. Pete

[Big Boy]

According to Wikipedia, it was based on the same design.

[Stargeezer]

Great pictures Big Boy, glad you were able to walk all that area and back without a major monkey attack.
I was there with Thai relatives and one monkey grabbed the purse from my niece. I threw my water bottle at the little thief, and luck for us the monkey dropped the purse and got my bottle. Our car keys were in her purse, so we would have been stranded if the purse was gone.
I remember the views from where you got the pictures, made the hike worth it.
Stargeezer

[Big Boy]

Yes, obviously you have to be aware of the monkeys, and take precautions accordingly. They will grab at things they think they can take. My wife has a walking stick, which she finds to be a suitable deterrent.

I find that if you don't put temptation in their way, they won't bother you.

[PeteC]

^ Here we have some examples of what not to wear.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fruit+h ... 80&bih=670