Ask: “I am planning to travel in Thailand but do not know where to choose. I heard that Koh Chang is a good place to combine mountain and ocean views. Could I ask for the experience of traveling to Koh Chang (Thailand) for the first time? ”.
Above is your question nguyenthanhtam…@gmail.com sent to the travel consulting program of Trippy.vn. Besides, Koh Chang is also a destination that many people are interested in and ask questions for the program. Below is an article about Koh Chang Thailand's travel experience sent by the program's collaborators. Hope to have the appropriate answers to your questions.
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The famous eastern Thai island - Koh Chang
What is special in Koh Chang?
Koh Chang (aka Chang Island) is the largest and most famous island in eastern Thailand. This island is also called Elephant Island. This is the second largest island of Thailand, after Phuket. Koh Chang is about 300 km away from Bangkok by road and by water.
Unspoiled natural scenery
Koh Chang has a beautiful unspoiled natural landscape including beautiful beaches, clear blue water at the bottom and green vegetation because it is located in Koh Chang National Park. Coming to Koh Chang, visitors will be extremely surprised because there are both small beaches, dense forests and tumbling waterfalls.
The beautiful beach
Chang Island attracts visitors by the beauty of the beaches. Lonely Beach is a great spot for backpackers. Especially here, the sunset is extremely beautiful. Klong Koi Beach is also a beautiful beach but smaller and quieter. Suitable for those who want a little privacy.
Besides, near Koh Chang is a small Kowai island nearby. The sea here is beautiful with a long strip of white sand, thick vegetation, clear blue water, full of fish and corals.
Lots of waterfalls
Koh Chang has a series of beautiful waterfalls such as:
Klong Plu - the most famous waterfall and is the only waterfall on the west side of the island; Klong Nonsi - waterfall on the east side of the island; Klong Neung - the most spectacular waterfall; Khiri Petch - about 3 km from the village of Salak Petch; Kongou - a waterfall near Bang Bao; The Than Mayom - a waterfall near Thanmayom jetty
few tourists
Koh Chang is not as famous as Phuket by the press. Due to the national park system, it is somewhat preserved, less developed restaurants and bars like many other tourist destinations. Therefore, tourists to Koh Chang are not as busy as in the large island of Phuket.
Lots of fish and corals
A special feature of Koh Chang Island is the extremely clear blue water. Accompanied by that, this place is blessed with many colorful fish and abundant coral reefs. Great plus for those who love diving.
Featured attractions
Featured attractions in Koh Chang
Lonely Beach
Lonely Beach is just a small town on Koh Chang island. This is a crowded area with residents and tourists, especially backpackers. At Lonely Beach, there are many activities to discover extremely attractive. Visitors can participate in a multitude of activities such as: Massage, kayaking tour, learning how to cook tattoo art.
From here you will also easily move to other locations for archery, fishing, cycling, diving, shooting, climbing, experience a yoga class ...
Besides the above attractions, Lonely Beach is the address of parties and a vibrant nightlife that you cannot miss. Many bars and clubs have live music here.
Khlong Prao Beach
Khlong Prao Beach is a beautiful sandy beach among small remote mountains and is divided by two estuaries. At low tide, beach walkers will see sea creatures right on the sandbank as the water recedes.
In this area, many luxurious and brilliant resorts are concentrated. At high tide, you will sunbathe by the resort swimming pool, very comfortable and relaxing!
Bang Bao Village
This Bang Bao village is built in the traditional style of connected piers. Visitors walking here will find a white lighthouse and the boats lurking in the distance.
Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park
This land and sea national park covers the whole archipelago and protects much of the central part of the island. Including many waterfalls and forests, visitors who want to visit the waterfall must pay a ticket to the park. The headquarters of the National Park is on the east side of the island, near Than Mayom waterfall.
Klong Plu Waterfall
The island's largest and most impressive waterfall, this is a three-story waterfall with a pool where you can swim). From the entrance gate to the waterfall is 600 meters on foot along a cool, quite spectacular riverside path. You can easily come here from Khlong Prao.
Than Mayom Waterfall
A series of 3 waterfalls along the Khlong Mayom stream. The viewpoint for viewing here is amazing with the stones inscribed with the initials of Rama V, Rama VI and Rama VII.
Khiri Phet Waterfall
This small waterfall, 2 km from Salak Phet village, is a 15-minute walk from outside. This falls is very empty, and easily accessible from the neighborhood of Ao Salak Phet.
Some other attractions: War Memorial, Tree Top Adventure Park Koh Chang, Koh Chang diving school, Kwan village ...
What to prepare when traveling to Koh Chang?
Schedule, book flights, book hotels:
To prepare for the trip to Koh Chang, you should prepare in advance for the schedule, as well as choose the appropriate means of transportation because the travel is a bit complicated.
Tickets should be booked in advance (if any), reserved for hotel rooms, shuttle buses from the pier. In addition, you should also see where to visit Koh Chang, where to combine.
Money :
Prepare Thai baht. Should change money in advance from Vietnam to have a good exchange rate. (Exchange in outside gold shops, should not be changed to banks or airports).
Skin:
Kho Chang is an island, so it is indispensable to wear costumes such as Bikini, sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen ... Some virtual dresses can be very necessary for girls who like to live virtual.
Sim / wifi:
Should prepare a wifi or Sim 3G / 4G Thailand device to take the initiative in the internet in times of need such as using Google Maps, Google translating, book car, uploading live photos or checking emails. Currently you can buy a sim / rent a wifi transmitter beforehand from Vietnam, pick up in Vietnam or pick up at Thailand airport already.
Some other things to prepare: Download the Google Maps application, Google translate, Pre-installed currency exchange application on Currency phone ...
Should you go to Koh Chang at an ideal time?
The best time to go to Koh Chang is from November to May, at this time the weather is good, the sea is blue and the sun is sunny. June - October is the rainy season so the weather is not favorable to the island.
Experiences must try in Koh Chang
Koh Chang - a combination of forest and sea will have plenty for you to explore. It is definitely indispensable for activities such as scuba diving, fishing, swimming, trekking, elephant riding. etc ..
Activities to try in Koh Chang
Scuba diving, Fishing
A beautiful island with many corals, fish and beautiful blue water, Koh Chang is an indispensable diving destination on the list of diving enthusiasts. You can refer to scuba diving tours on Koh Yuak Island for half a day or tour of the 4 islands and snorkeling . This journey will go through Koh Chang National Park to 4 beautiful small islands nearby and snorkel.
Along with scuba diving, fishing is also a very popular activity by tourists from all over.
Bathing and sun exposure
The island has many beautiful beaches, swimming or participating in exciting sea activities is definitely something you should try. Beaches such as Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, Klong Koi ... This is also an ideal place for those personality girls who love honey skin to be able to sunbathe.
Trekking
Trekking is an indispensable activity when visiting Koh Chang - a destination with many forests, waterfalls and wonderful unspoiled scenery. This experience allows you to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere with the cool green of the surrounding vegetation. You can also immerse yourself in the coolness of the cool water splashing down from above. Take a deep breath, feel the existence of marvelous nature.
The trekking spots not to be missed are the roads to Klong Neung waterfall, Klong Nonsi, Kheeri Phe ...
Ride an elephant
Traveling to Koh Chang, you can also enlist the experience of elephant riding, not just going to Chiang Mai (Bac Thai). No wonder the island is named Chang - meaning elephant. There are up to 6 elephant camps. Visitors can feed elephants, observe them activities, bathe with elephants or many other activities ... very interesting.
Take a cooking class
If you want to learn how to cook Thai food, this is a great opportunity. At Koh Chang, there are cooking classes taught by Thai people themselves. You will be taught all the stages from the selection of ingredients, to the cooking steps, how to season.
In addition to the above experiences, visitors can come to Koh Chang to take a yoga, Thai massage, meditation, cycling, golf, bird watching, firefly, temple tours on Koh Chang island.
Notes when traveling to Koh Chang
Can combine tourism Koh Chang and Bangkok. Go to Koh Chang first and then return to Bangkok for fun.
You can combine to go to Koh Chang and go to Cambodia if you have a lot of time.
You can combine to visit nearby Koh Wai Island. Guests can easily reach Koh Wai within 40 minutes by boat from Bang Bao pier (south of the island) - 20 minutes by speedboat.
How to go to Koh Chang from Bangkok?
The transportation from Bangkok to Koh Chang is quite diverse. Here are suggestions for transportation to Koh Chang:
Vehicles from Bangkok to Koh Chang:
Planes:
From Suvarnabhumi Airport, visitors can fly by flights of Bangkok Airways (3 flights / day). Landing at Trat airport. Fares range from 2000 baht - 3800 baht / round trip (depending on the time).
From Trat airport, visitors take a bus (small, air-conditioned) shuttle from the airport to the resort Koh Chang.
"Sharing" taxi:
From Suvarnabhumi airport, you can go to Limousine or Tax. This is a vehicle that can take you to Koh Chang, but the price is quite expensive. So you can invite more people to accompany the journey to "share" taxis for savings. But the driver is not ready
Rental shuttle bus package:
You can rent a private shuttle car or minibus.
At Suvarnabhumi Airport you buy tickets from the Suvarnabhumi Burapha ticket counter on Level 1, the main station building. One way ticket is 600 Baht / person including ferry ticket.
The minibus ticket from hotels in central Bangkok to Koh Chang is from 900 - 1,100 Baht / person including ferry tickets (this ticket can be usually reserved for easy contact at hotels in Bangkok). Prices depend on the number of guests.
Take the bus
You can take the 999 bus from Ekkamai in central Bangkok. This car also has a pick-up and drop-off at Suvarnabhumi airport. The buses depart from Ekamai at 07:45 and 09:45 and return from the island at 14:00. You should book a round trip ticket, otherwise there will be no return ticket. Bus 999 runs to Ao Thammachat pier.
Besides, there is also a new bus route # 392 starting from Suvarnabhumi Airport bus stop (departing at 7:30 am. Return trip is 12:30). Tickets can be purchased online at Suvarnabhumi Burapha Bus Company.
In addition to the above means, visitors can take a private car or rent a motorbike to travel freely. Motorbikes are often available at some hotels or motorbike rental shops in Bangkok.
From Vietnam to Koh Chang , visitors can take a plane to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Muang Airport), then move to Koh Chang by one of the means mentioned above. In case you are from Don Muang airport, you can take a free shuttle bus to Suvarnabhumi airport and continue as instructed. To get free transportation, you need to show your travel card. The shuttle will depart at the ground floor of terminal 1, Gate 5. You can easily find a green counter nearby.
Take the ferry to Koh Chang Island:
Either way, from Bangkok, to get to the island, you still have to take a train. There are 2 main ferries - 2 ways to get to and from Koh Chang.
- From Ao Thammachat ship on land to Ao Sapparot pier on Koh Chang Island. This is a fast ferry. Travel time is about 30 minutes.
- From Center Point Pier on the mainland to Center Point Ferry on Koh Chang Island (and back). This is a slow ferry. Its travel time is about 45 minutes.
The price of 2 ferries is the same. About 80 baht / person / afternoon. On the ferry there are toilets, drinks, snacks full. Ferries operate from morning until 7 pm.
After you arrive at the pier, to move back to the hotel, you can go songthaew. The car will wait for new passengers. Price is about 100 - 200 baht / person.
Where to book when to Koh Chang?
At Koh Chang, there is a luxurious resort but also a guesthouse, dorm, Guesthouse. If you book in a densely populated area, there will be many cheap and convenient options for going to bars and clubs to have fun at night. Lonely Beach is the most popular area for backpackers but it is quite far and crowded. While the White Sand Beach has many more luxurious resorts. The Klong Prao area also has many resorts, suitable for those who like quiet.