 Phetchaburi - Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park : |
 It is locally known as Khao Wang (Palace Hill), located up on a 92-meter high verdant hill, in the city of Petchburi . It was built under the royal command of King Rama IV and in 1860 became his summer palace. The whole compound is comprised of royal halls, palaces, temples and other buildings which were elegantly constructed in a well-balanced Thai, neoclassical Western and Chinese architectural styles.
There are a group of royal residences on the western side of the hill consisting of the Phetchphoomphairot Building, Pramotmahaisawan Building, Wetchayanwichienprasat Building, Ratchathammasapha Building and Hor Chatchawanwiengchai Observatory.
The big white pagoda situated on the middle peak of the hill is Phrathat Jomphet. King Rama IV ordered the renovation of the old pagoda and later added a Buddha image inside. Visitors to the Palace should not miss the panoramic view of Petchburi City and other buildings on another two nearby mountaintops.
There are several temples to be admired on the Eastern Mountain, one of which is Wat Maha Samanaram, which has a history that can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period and the place where murals by Khrua In Khong, a renowned Thai artist is located. Another temple located on top of the mountain is Wat Phra Kaew Noi, the Royal Temple of Phra Nakhon Khiri that was constructed based on the model of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
The Ordination Hall and Phra Sutthasela Chedi are also popular attractions. Phra Sutthasela Chedi was built from greenish gray marble.
Getting to Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
The site is located on Phetkasem Road , just one kilometer from the town entrance junction. Though the hill is only 92 meters high, the walk to the top is not as easy as it looks and there is a tram on the west side, away from the city. The park is open 0830-1630 and the palace/museum 0900-1600. |
