Phetchaburi City is located 160 kilometers south west of Bangkok. The province is divided into 7 Amphoes (districts) and 1 King Amphoe, they are Muang, Cha-Am, Khao Yoi, Tha Yang, Ban Lat, Ban Laem, Nong Ya Plong, and King Amphoe Kaeng Krachan.

Phetchaburi is situated on the River Phet which originates in the Kaeng Krachan National Park and flows into the Gulf of Thailand at Baan Laem. The city is one of the oldest settlements in Thailand and is mentioned in historical records from the 8th century.

Phetchaburi has significant standing artifacts dating back to the 12th century, with numerous temples in and around the city center and market area. The Royal Palace known informally as Khao Wang dominates the skyline.

Phetchaburi is a predominantly agricultural province, and the city reflects this with a large and thriving traditional market, buzzing with activity from pre dawn until mid day It repletes with the aromas of everything and is very much a working city, with few tourists.

Most of the important Wats (Temples) except Khao Wang, is within walking distance of the market area, temple junkies will be satisfied for days with the town itself but the highlight is definitely the mountain.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park covers a hilly area with an old royal palace and historical temples in the vicinity. The summer palace was built by King Rama V in 1860, it was named (Phra Nakhon Khiri Palace) the Thais usually called it (Khao Wang) it consists of buildings, constructed mostly in harmonious Thai and Chinese architectural styles.

The Phra Nakhon Khiri Museum on the western hilltop exhibits some royal paraphernalia of King Rama lV and King Rama V, decorative sculptures and ceramics from China, Japan and Europe; you can either walk to the top or take the cable car.

Khao Bandai 2 kilometers south of Khao Wang is the site of an ancient hill top temple of the Ayutthaya Period, there is also several caves Tham Prathum, Thum Phra Chao Sua, and Tham Phra Phuttha Saiyat.

Tham Khao Luang 5 kilometers north of Khao Wang, the cave houses a Buddha image cast by the royal command of King Rama V as a dedication to King Rama lll and King Rama lV.

Kaeng Krachan National Park was established in 1981, it is the largest national park in Thailand, with 2,914 square kilometers of forest and watersheds of the Phetchaburi and Pranburi rivers, includes portions of Nong Ya Plong and Kaeng Krachan districts in Phetchaburi Province and Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

About 45 squares kilometers of the area consists of both water and reservoir, the Kang Kra Jan Dam is on complicated mountain ranges the highest peak is 1,200 meters above sea level, most of the mountains are Granite, few are Limestone many are full of fluoride, most of the area is covered by rain forest, the source of Phet Buri River and Pran Buri River.

Ban Krang and Panoen Thung areas are closed during (The Rainy Season) August to October every year for visitors safety and forest recovering.

National Parks Thailand

Express buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok every hour and take you directly to Phetchaburi bus terminal, which is adjacent to the night market. The journey takes about 3 hours.

Trains depart from Hua Lamphong Station Bangkok, from 12:20 pm. to 10:50pm. The journey, depending on the type of train, normally takes around 3-4 hours to reach Phetchaburi.

Taxis and Minibuses from Bangkok take around two hours to Phetchaburi, and is the most conveneate way for groups to travel.

There are Tuk Tuks, motorbike taxis and Songthaews to get around the city, for longer journeys around the province there are local buses available from the market, a good idea is to have your destination written down in Thai for the driver.

Air, Rail and Bus Time Tables

Souvenirs can be bought from small shops around the base of the cable car that serves the Khao Wang Palace. Thai silk and clothing from some of the shops in the market area, Big C hypermarket on the main highway also carries a modest selection.

Cha Am and Hua Hin, good shops, Premium Shopping Outlet Cha Am, Markets, Night Bazaar Hua Hin, Tesco Lotus Superstore Hua Hin.

Phetchaburi province is famous throughout Thailand for its Thai desserts, Khanom Thai, candy like finger food made from egg, coconut, palm sugar and a binding agent, usually crushed beans or flour, the main North South highway is dotted with stores offering a variety of such sweetmeats.

Phetchaburi has hundreds of restaurants and cafes, serving a variety of Thai food, most of them specialize in just a few menu items, the trick is to decide what you want to eat before you decide on where to eat.

Some of the larger hotels have restaurants serving western cuisine, Big C, Chesters Grill, KFC and Pizza a few Chinese restaurants around the town.

Phetchaburi city is 10 miles from the coast, the nearest easily accessible seaside village is Chao Samran, has a few small hotels, guest houses and resort, ideal for those of you seeking peace and solitude, except on Thai public holidays and long weekends.

Hat Chao Samran which means (Beach of Royal Leisure) King Rama IV ordered a seaside palace built at this beach in 1918 and called it Hat Chao Samran, the historic beach is 15 kilometers southeast of the town.

Hat Laem Luang 4 kilometers north of Hat Chao Samran, the white sand beach stretches for 2 kilometers. Hat Puk Tian 7 kilometers south of Hat Chao Samran is popular with Thai tourists.

Marukhathaiyawan Summer Palace (The Palace of Love and Hope) is located between Cha-Am and Hua Hin, built in 1923 under the royal command of King Rama Vl. The two storied wooden pavilion with a series of halls linking each other, has a long corridor leading to the sea.

There are several hotels close to Khao Wang, guesthouses by the river and around the town, hotels in the market area are mostly old converted shop houses, and are aimed at commercial travelers.

Cha-Am, twinned with Hua Hin of Phrachuap Khiri Khan, is located 40 kilometers south of Phetchaburi town and 25 kilometers north of Hua Hin  which is a popular destination among Thais and oversea tourists who love superb seafood and comfortable tourist hotels or bungalow accommodation.