Thailand is a tropical paradise with serene national parks, magnificent wildlife, fascinating islands, holy temples, remarkable rock-cut architecture, and bustling nightlife. Pattaya is a province in eastern Thailand with the most fun-filled and lively night parties. Every street in the city has live performances, and food vendors serving delicious fast food to the people. Pattaya is also famous for its natural beauty, lush green rainforests, and wildlife. One of the most popular attractions in Pattaya is the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden or the Nong Nooch Botanical Garden. The different varieties of flora will amaze you. Not only this, there are many exclusive activities that can be witnessed here. Following is the guide to everything you need to know about the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.
History Of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
In the years following its establishment in 1954, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has evolved into a sprawling 600-acre oasis. It was originally acquired by Pisit and Nongnooch Tansacha. They acquired it for cultivating tropical fruits, such as mangoes, coconuts, and oranges. The couple’s vision transformed over time. Drawn to the idea after a beautiful experience abroad, Nongnooch shifted gears. They decided to craft a tropical haven on this expansive piece of land.
The gates were opened to the public in 1980. The garden became a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts. Rampon, the son of the visionary founders, played a crucial role in the garden’s evolution. He expanded the lakes. This enhanced the natural beauty adorning the landscape. Also, the year 2016 marked a notable addition to Nong Nooch – the creation of the Dinosaur Valley. This prehistoric-inspired marvel became a highlight, capturing the imaginations of visitors.
As time marched on, continuous enhancements and alterations shaped the botanical haven into the masterpiece it is today. The commitment to development and aesthetic refinement has been a hallmark of Nong Nooch’s journey. The result is an exquisite blend of nature’s wonders and human ingenuity, that makes each visit a unique experience.
Top View points in Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Nong Nooch is much more than just a garden. Along with 30 mini gardens and a zoo, it has other major themed-attractions. It is more like a theme park with many fun-filled activities:
1. Vertical Garden in the Sky:
Avoid getting this muddled with Pattaya’s famous Sky Gallery. Nong Nooch’s Sky Garden is a two-story, ten-rai garden in the 21st century (0.016 square kilometers). It is supposed to have been created by the proprietor of Nong Nooch and to house a wide range of flora.
The plants here are often being changed around, so they can take on new forms for holidays and other celebrations.
2. Valley of the Dinosaurs:
As the name suggests, many life-like replications of at least 40 species of dinosaurs are present that draw people, mainly kids. Earlier it was a Cactus Garden and only the statue of a Triceratops was casted. The statue attracted more people than the Cactus Garden itself, so this area was converted into the Dinosaur Valley.
3. Garden of Stonehenge –
It is a garden consisting of several flowering plants and large rectangular stones arranged in a circular pattern giving an outstanding visual appeal.
4. Thai Cultural Village event-
It displays the cultural aspects of Thailand. Muay Thai boxing matches and other folk performances are the major highlights. The timings for the event are 1:30 to 5:30 pm.
5. Elephant Show-
Thailand is the Land of Elephants. Elephants have strong brain power which is utilized by trainers to teach them to dance, paint, play sports, and much more. Also, the visitors are allowed to get up-close and personal with the elephants.
How To Get to the Garden?
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is located at 34/1 Moo 7 Na Jomtien District, Pattaya. You can reach Nong Nooch using a shared transfer service. It takes around 25 minutes to reach the destination by a car. There are 3 options available that include pickup and drop off from the hotel:
- Half-day ticket(Morning Schedule) + Show +Transfer
- Half-day ticket(Afternoon Schedule) Ticket + Show + Transfer
- Full-day ticket +Show+Lunch Buffet +Transfer
How To Get Around?
Since the total area of the park is around 600 acres, it will be too tiring to visit the entire park on foot. So you can book a shuttle bus or rent a bike to tour this amazing garden.
When To Visit?
The Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is open to the public every day from 8 am to 6 pm. Early morning hours or the evening is the best time to visit this park. You may avoid afternoons due to the hot weather. Also, an average trip takes a minimum of 3 hours or it could last the entire day if you are interested in witnessing evening shows.
Things To Know Before You Go
There are some tips that one should know before they venture into the park:
- You have to purchase separate tickets for the different sub-gardens inside the tropical park.
- The tickets for Dinosaur Valley need to be bought separately.
- Keep a camera in hand since there are plenty of opportunities to take photos that you may not want to miss.
- The visitors are allowed to ride elephants here by paying an extra fee.
- You can also bring elderly people with you as certain areas of the park are wheelchair accessible.
- There are cafes and restaurants present in the park where you can spend time and take food breaks.
FAQs
Q1. How much does the entrance fee cost?
Ans- The entrance fee for the park visit is 367.50 Thai Baht per head. However, the ticket price may vary depending on various factors. So, it is advised to check the official site or booking sites just before the visit for updated information.
Q2. Are guided tours available?
Ans- Yes, you can hire a tour guide by inquiring at the entrance of the park.
Q3. Are there discounts for group visits or online bookings?
Ans- Yes, you can check booking sites for combo tickets and discount offers, some of which also include pickup and drop off from your stay at Pattaya.
Conclusion
Thus, the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is a nature lovers’ paradise with hundreds of genera of plants. Not only is the park confined to the display of plants but there are various shows and events that exhibit the culture of Thailand as well as entertain and fascinate us. There is something for tourists of all age group and is a must-visit destination on your vacation to Thailand.