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Popularly known as the 'city of the moon', Chanthaburi
is famous for its large quantity of tropical fruits
and also as a centre for beautiful gem stones. This
interesting province is blessed with lush forests
featuring sparkling waterfalls, fishing villages and
tranquil beaches on which to relax and soak up the
sun.
A great place to get an idea of the natural beauty
of this province is to visit the Khao Laem Sing Forest
Park, whilst Khao Khitchakut National Park contains
a breathtaking waterfall and is a good place to spot
wild elephants. Another great reserve is the Namtok
Phliu National Park which, as its name suggests, contains
a large number of enchanting waterfalls to splash
about in.
If you are interested in water sports, Khlong Pong
Nam Ron is a great place to go white water rafting,
the best time being between July and January. Another
breathtaking experience is the view from the top of
Khao Phloi Waen, which means Sapphire-Ring Mountain
in the Thai language. The mountain is an impressive
150 metres high and has a Sri-Lankan style chedi on
the top. Many visitors to Chanthaburi Province go
there in order to pay their respects at Wat Khao Sukim,
which has a famous meditation centre. Other interesting
temples in the area include Wat Phlup, Wat Hai Lom
and the very pretty Wat Mangkon Buppharam, which has
been built in the Chinese style.
The Chanthaburi Cultural Centre is a great place
to go to get an idea of the area's diverse history
and culture. The ancient city of Khai Noen Wong also
makes an interesting day trip and you can combine
your visit with a trip to the Underwater Archaeological
Office, which is a kind of maritime museum.
The province is home to some extremely pretty beaches
and the quiet, shaded beach of Hat Ao Yang is great
for relaxing on, while the larger stretch of sand
at Hat Laem Sing is also a good place to hang out.
There are plenty other interesting attractions in
and around Chanthaburi. The Chamsom Crocodile Farm
and Zoo offers visitors the opportunity to see different
crocodile species and a range of other animals. Another
good way to see Thailand's wildlife is to pay a visit
to Oasis Sea World, while the King Taksin Park is
a great place for a picnic.
When it comes to food, there is plenty to be found,
especially if you enjoy fresh seafood. A good place
to find a cheap meal is at the local night market,
and there are plenty of restaurants around catering
to every taste and budget.
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