Pattaya, located in Thailand’s eastern seaboard offers a range of attractions from adrenaline-jerking adventures to traditional temples and shopping. It’s a city of opposites – on one end you can enjoy visiting sinful cabarets and on the other end, pristine temples soaked in tradition. The city’s rainforest canopy and coral-filled sea offer plenty of adventures for the brave-hearted. It’s an incredible city; if you have only 3 days to explore it, let’s make the best of it by picking out top attractions Pattaya has to offer.
Day 1: Morning – Mini Siam Miniature World
If you’re wondering what to do in Pattaya on your first day, go see the world in miniature at Pattaya’s Mini Siam. Once you wander through the major landmarks of our world in miniature, you’ll feel you’ve just been around the world as is. Check out the miniature Wat Arun of Bangkok in its golden glory. Then you can explore Cambodia’s Angkor Wat without leaving town. Explore the beautifully detailed, miniscule version of Europe. Be sure to spot the Eiffel Tower and London’s Tower Bridge. Check out the Abu Simbel temples of Egypt in tiny version, and don’t miss seeing the Colosseum in miniscule version. France’s Arc de Triomphe is breathtakingly detailed. Be sure to admire the finely detailed Statue of Liberty and Sydney Opera House.
Day 1: Afternoon – Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
After you’ve enjoyed the world in miniscule, it’s time for a breath of fresh fragrant air. Explore the 2.4sq.km large Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and exclaim over some of the most incredible flowers you’ve seen in your life. The beautifully landscaped gardens contain the award-winning 17th-century-French-style gardens, plus a recreated Stonehenge, several clever topiary gardens created using bonsai, tropical plants and cacti. You’ll also find no less than 670 native and hybrid species of orchid in this lovely garden, one of the best attractions of your Pattaya holidays.
Day 1: Evening – Art in Paradise
This art gallery totally ignores the traditional aspects of an art gallery, and brings art to life via optical illusions and perspective games. You become part of the art gallery as you browse through the exhibits. For example, an elephant installation appears to step out through the wall directly into your path when you stand in the right position. In another installation, it would appear as though you are flying a magic carpet in the desert. There are many such illusions to delight you all through the evening. Checking out Art in Paradise is one of the best things to do in Pattaya.
Day 2: Early Morning – Pattaya Floating Market
One of the topmost Pattaya attractions is the famous floating market. It’s a 100,000sqm development that represents Thailand’s four major areas – north, northeast, central and south. Explore the shops, stalls and boats selling fruit, souvenirs, food, art, handicrafts, jewellery, clothing, postcards and more. Many of the stalls are on floating boats while others are part of a sturdy stilted village with stout bridges and covered walkways. Some of the 114 vendors put up traditional dance and drama performances on their boats as well.
Day 2: Noon – Phra Khao Yai (Big Buddha Hill)
One of the most intriguing places to visit in Pattaya is the biggest Buddha Hill in Thailand, all of 18 metres in height. The Buddha Hill is positioned nearly 100 metres above sea level, looking over Jomtien and Pattaya beaches from its height. The beautiful seated golden Buddha is surrounded by a detailed temple complex that creates a reflective, meditative mood in visitors. You can ring its many bells, burn incense and pay homage to the many smaller statues. Enjoy the incredible views of the beaches from the temple.
Day 2: Afternoon – Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark
The Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark has over 30 excellent water rides that are scattered across 10 entertainment zones. As you enter the waterpark, you’ll be welcomed by much-loved cartoon characters such as the Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, Gumball, Darwin and more. The waterpark also contains many sand beaches, if you’re not into rides. Surfarena is a ride that allows you to surf in perfect surfing conditions. The Mega Wave is a safe rolling sea where you can pretend you’re lost in a thunderstorm. Then you can flow along the Riptide Rapids, through an Amazon Rainforest like jungle. This waterpark will be the highlight of your Pattaya tour.
Day 2: Evening – Tiffany’s Cabaret Show
After a few refreshing hours at the waterpark, it’s time for entertainment of a different kind. Tiffany’s Cabaret Show is Southeast Asia’s first-ever transvestite cabaret show. You can watch more than 100 professional performers in glittering costumes perform their songs, dances, creative impersonations and dramas of romance. The wonderful production will set your heart racing and your feet tapping. It’s one of the absolutely not-to-miss entertainments in Thailand.
Day 3: Morning – Flight of the Gibbon
Head to Chonburi first thing in the morning for a spectacular ride on the one of the highest and longest ziplines in the world. You’ll be soaring over an incredibly lovely rainforest, enjoying premium views all along the way. There are 24 platforms, and several scenic sky bridges for views. You’ll be given a detailed safety briefing and will be fitted with equipment by professionals. You’ll take off from the first of the 24 platforms and soar along a mind-blowing course. The course also includes 2 rappels down massive trees and 2 hanging sky bridges. If you like, you can visit the Khao Kheow Open Zoo after your ziplining adventure.
Day 3: Afternoon – The Sanctuary of Truth
After your soaring adventure, you need some calm and quiet. What better place to obtain some other than in one of Thailand’s grandest temples? The Sanctuary of Truth is a magnificent temple constructed using Buddhist and Hindu principles. It’s a vast temple that’s decorated using intricate motifs. The temple stands 344 feet tall, and is made entirely out of wood. There is carved imagery both within and outside the temple. The First Hall of the temple depicts the 4 great elements that make up our planet. There are fine representations of Bodhisattvas and Hindu gods here as well. The Second Hall’s decorations are themed on the sun, moon, and stars. The Third and the Fourth Halls are themed on pure parental love, kindness, sacrifice, and sharing.
Day 3: Evening – Pattaya Viewpoint
Towards evening, head to the Khao Pattaya View Point on Pratumnak Hill to get a classic view of Pattaya’s sweeping crescent bay. The scenery is stunning and the air is cool. It is one of the best places to see the whole of Pattaya, and to experience a fabulous sunset over the horizon. Thailand is famous for its natural landscapes and its incredible beaches. Be sure to include some excellent viewpoints like the Pattaya Viewpoint into your Pattaya holiday package – they’re worth it.
Day 3: Night – Shopping In Pattaya’s Night Bazaar
On your last night, forgo Pattaya sightseeing and check out this famous covered and fully air-conditioned market that’s a perfect recreation of a Thai street market. You can pick up souvenirs, summer clothing, food, bags, jeans, luggage, sunglasses, scented soaps and so much more here. You can haggle to your hearts content here – the price tags, if available, are usually not very clear. The range of items includes genuine branded stuff and obvious fakes. You just have to exercise caution, but if you are thorough, you can score several good items for much less than you’ll pay anywhere else.
Conclusion
Pattaya’s also famous for scuba diving, owing to its rich coral reefs. Shopping is another famous activity in this city, with a number of markets and malls. Use our three day itinerary as a guide and add or remove items to formulate your own customized plan. Be sure to enjoy Pattaya to the fullest!
Image credits; Image credits; Image credits
_42.JPG){kind=link}