In the world there are a huge number of places for a wonderful holiday. One of them is the island of Koh Chang - a real paradise for those who seek solitude with wild, untouched nature.
The island is divided into two parts by a mountain range and is almost completely covered by impenetrable jungle. Snow-white beaches, the azure sea and incredible beauty of the underwater world, without a doubt, belong to the best attractions of Koh Chang in Thailand.
Location
Koh Chang island is the second largest island of Thailand. It is located 400 km southeast of Bangkok off the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, near the province of Trat on the border with Cambodia. Around Koh Chang are scattered over 50 small islands.
How to get to Koh Chang
In order to get the opportunity to explore the sights of Koh Chang, you need to get to the island. To do this is quite simple, there are several options for the route:
- Direct communication from Bangkok is carried out to the mainland to the province of Trat. Flight time is approximately 50 minutes. After the flight you need to get to the ferry and cross to the island. The journey will take about 40 minutes.
- From Bangkok, the ferry can be reached by car or by bus in 4 hours 30 minutes, and then get to the island.
- from Pattaya to the ferry can be reached in 3 hours 30 minutes.
All hotels, attractions and entertainment of Koh Chang are 10-30 minutes away by car or bus from the pier, where the ferry approaches.
Fishing
One of the main local attractions on the island is fishing. You can go fishing along the waves in a small fishing boat or in a large luxury ship. During evening fishing, you will learn how to catch squid. Day fishing is usually combined with snorkeling and boat trips along the islands of the archipelago.
Diving
The beautiful underwater world attracts divers from all over the planet to Koh Chang. There are several dive schools that organize diving for tourists of any skill level.
Yachting
Yacht trips on the high seas are very common among travelers with a good budget. Yachts are rented on the island, both with and without a captain. The best time for boat trips on the island of Koh Chang is from November to April.
Beaches Koh Chang
The best beaches of Koh Chang are located along the western coastline of the island. The eastern part of the island is more rocky, overgrown with mangrove forests. There are several secluded bays of incredible beauty.
Consider the most popular places that tourists enthusiastically respond to.
White sand beach is the largest, most popular and developed beach of the island. He got this name thanks to the beautiful white sand that covers the coast. The entrance to the sea is gentle, and the purest azure water is perfect for scuba diving. The tourist infrastructure along the beach is very well developed. Attention vacationers presented a huge number of hotels for every taste and budget.
Along the coastline there are many restaurants, cafes and bars where you can taste local dishes and have a good time. In addition, there are travel agencies that organize trips to the many attractions of Chang Island.
Klong Prao beach is divided into three parts by two rivers, so that vacationers can swim not only in the azure sea, but also swim in one of the rivers. It has a well-developed tourist infrastructure: a large number of hotels, entertainment venues, restaurants and shops.
Kaibae Beach is very popular among tourists vacationing with children. At this point, the entrance to the sea is gentle, the depth is increasing gradually. The beach is very picturesque, palm trees grow along the coastline, which create a natural life-giving shade.
Lonele beach is a favorite destination for tourists traveling on their own with a small budget. Here you can stay in a tent on the beach or rent a room in one of the many guest houses. During the day, a quiet and relaxed atmosphere prevails, ideal for a beach holiday. In the evening, parties and discos are organized on the beach, the music of which does not calm down until the very morning, so you should not go here with children.
Rocky Baylan Bay is an ideal place for a lazy beach holiday. The place has long been chosen by tourists who value a relaxing holiday. There are a large number of hotels, restaurants and shops.
Koh Chang Waterfalls
Once on the island, one cannot fail to visit the amazing creations of nature, the main attractions of Koh Chang - waterfalls. There are 5 of them, they are located in the national park. Entrance to the territory is paid. With one ticket you can visit several attractions of Koh Chang. Consider the most popular waterfalls of the island.
Tan Miom Waterfall - the most famous on the island. It is medium in size and is a four-level cascade hidden in a dense pristine forest. Water, falling from a height, forms a large pool below, where you can swim. Most tourists usually stop at the first and second levels, and units reach the third and fourth. This is due to the fact that they are located at a distance of about 3 km and the road to them is quite dangerous. The upper levels are not recommended for visiting. For tourists who, despite the danger, nevertheless want to climb to the top of the Tan Miom waterfall, it is recommended to use the services of a qualified guide.
Tourists who travel to the sights of Koh Chang on their own can rent a tent at a campsite organized near the waterfall, spend an incredible night in complete unity with nature and meet the sunrise, standing on top of the mountain from which the waterfall falls.
Another tourist destination is Klong Phu Waterfall, located among a dense rainforest, which is inhabited by a large number of rare animals and birds. The waterfall, approximately 20 meters high, consists of three levels. For tourists, only the first level is accessible, from which a view of the turbulent stream of water falling from a height of 10 meters opens. A visit to the second and third levels is considered dangerous, since the stones that you have to climb are very slippery due to the water. Below, the falling water forms a swimming pool where you can swim. If you go along the inconspicuous path to the right of the waterfall, then in 15 minutes you can reach the top of the mountain, which offers stunning views of the island.
Klong Nyng Waterfall is the largest on Koh Chang. To get to it, you must overcome at least 3.5 km through the dense tropical forest. At the foot of the falls there is a rather deep pool where you can swim and refresh yourself after a long walk through the forest. Between the shore and the mountain with which the water flows, there is a huge boulder, climbing on which you can watch from above how the water falls with a roar to the bottom of the gorge and breaks into stones.
Wat Salak Phet Temple
Religion occupies the bulk of the life of Thai residents. The island has a large number of religious sites. Some of them are so beautiful that they belong to the attractions of Koh Chang, a must to visit.
Wat Salak Phet - an ancient Buddhist temple, which is recognized as one of the most colorful and luxurious on the island. It was built over 100 years ago in the small village of Salak Phet. The interior of the temple is a spectacle of indescribable beauty. On the high red ceiling, bright lights burn like stars. At the far wall majestically stands a statue of Buddha, worshiped by local residents. The walls are painted with frescoes telling about the life of God on earth. Window shutters are made of seashells collected on the ocean many years ago.
Shrine of Chao Po Koh Chang shrine
Literally, the name of the temple is translated as "Holy Father Koh Chang." In order to get to the temple on their own, tourists can purchase a map of the most famous attractions of Koh Chang, where the most interesting places on the island are indicated.
Stone steps lead to the shrine, located on a hillside. An important place in architecture is occupied by statues of elephants and dragons. The temple has a central altar, on which is a statue of a deity, who is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. Around the altar are statues of other deities and ritual accessories.
Photos of Koh Chang sights take pride of place in the album of any traveler. The archipelago is the place where you want to return again and again in order to fully enjoy the beauty of the wild, incredible beaches and the warm azure sea.