Khao Takiab, Hua Hin (Monkey Mountain) — The Hilltop Temple, Standing Buddha, Monkeys & Gulf Views · 2026 Guide

Get to know it

What Khao Takiab is — and why almost everyone in Hua Hin stops here

Look south along Hua Hin beach to the far end and you will see a big block of rock rising straight out of the sea — that is Khao Takiab, a headland about 272 metres high that juts into the Gulf of Thailand at the southern tip of the beach, about 7 km down the coast from town. Locals and visitors call it Monkey Mountain, because a colony of macaques lives around the hill. The name Khao Takiab means "Chopstick Hill".

On the summit sits Wat Khao Takiab, with a tall golden standing Buddha facing the sea as its centrepiece, alongside a chedi, a brightly coloured Chinese shrine and brass bells. From the edge of the temple courtyard you look out over the whole sweep of Hua Hin bay. At the foot of the hill on the sea side is Khao Takiab beach, quieter than the town beach, with a row of seafood restaurants where you sit with a view of the hill and the water. It is all in one spot you can cover comfortably in half a day.

Wondering why Khao Takiab is on almost everyone's list in Hua Hin? Because you get several things in one place — a temple to visit, a sea view, the monkeys, and seafood for lunch — and it sits just a short songthaew ride from town. That is why we suggest pairing it with a beach day in Hua Hin or a stop before you head back into town.

Khao Takiab, Hua Hin — the rocky headland at the south end of the beach, seen from Khao Takiab beach, the spot people call Monkey Mountain — Khao Takiab — the rocky headland at the south end of Hua Hin beach, with a temple and a tall standing Buddha on its summit

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What it is

A seaside headland

~272 m high · juts into the Gulf at the south end

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Location

South end of Hua Hin beach

~7 km from town · reachable by songthaew

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On the summit

Temple + standing Buddha

~20 m standing Buddha · Chinese shrine · chedi

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The monkeys

Resident macaques

Keep food zipped away · don't feed or tease them

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View

All of Hua Hin bay

As far as Cha-am on a clear day · best AM/late PM

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Entry

Free · donation box

Walk the stairs, or ride up the road

How it feels when you arrive

The feel of Khao Takiab — temple, view, monkeys and seafood at the foot

This is not a place to rush — climb up to the temple, sit with the view over Hua Hin bay, watch the monkeys with one eye on your bag, then finish with seafood by the beach.

The appeal of Khao Takiab is that it mixes several moods on a single hill — the summit is a quiet temple courtyard with the tall standing Buddha and a brightly coloured Chinese shrine, looking out over the sea and the town. On the stairs along the way, macaques scamper about (fun, but keep hold of what is in your hands). Back at the foot is a quiet beach and a row of seafood restaurants to settle into. It all connects in one place you can do on foot.

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People who want a sea view and a temple in one

Temple + viewpoint · Half-day stop

If you want both a temple visit and a sea view without going far, this is the answer. Climb up to the standing Buddha, look around the Chinese shrine, then stand in the breeze over Hua Hin bay from above. It pairs neatly with a day at Hua Hin beach. See everything to do in town at the Hua Hin attractions guide.
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Seafood lovers who want a meal with a sea view

Seafood at the foot · Sea-view lunch

At the foot of Khao Takiab is a row of seafood restaurants by the beach where you eat with a view of the hill and the water. Many people climb the hill in the morning and come down for lunch right after. Order seafood by checking the price per kilo and agreeing it clearly first, just as you would anywhere else in Hua Hin. Read how to order well and which places stand out in the Hua Hin seafood guide.
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Families bringing children to see the monkeys

Monkeys · Families · Be careful

Children usually love watching the monkeys around the hill, but the macaques here are used to people and snatch things fast. With small children, keep hold of their hands, zip snacks and water bottles into your bag, do not walk around with a visible bag, and do not let kids hold out food to the monkeys. Follow that and it is a fun, safe outing — the kind of thing a child remembers for a long time.
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Photographers and anyone who likes a climb

Photo spot · Stair climb · Golden light

The stairs up have handrails on both sides and rows of flags, and it is a short climb to the temple courtyard. The standout shot is the standing Buddha with the sea behind it, plus the view over the bay from the courtyard edge. Early morning or late afternoon brings softer light for photos and a cooler climb. If you would rather not take the stairs, a songthaew or motorbike can take you up the road.

What to see

The key things on Khao Takiab — all within a short walk on top

🙏 Wat Khao Takiab and the tall standing Buddha

The heart of it is Wat Khao Takiab on the summit, with a tall golden standing Buddha, about 20 metres high, facing the sea toward Hua Hin town — the main spot to pay respects and take photos. Around the courtyard there are also a white chedi, brass bells, and temple buildings in bright blue, gold and red. Entry is free, with a donation box if you wish to give. As it is a temple, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and take off your shoes when entering a worship hall.

🌅 The viewpoint over Hua Hin bay

From the edge of the courtyard on top you look out over Hua Hin bay stretching north — the line of the beach, the town, and fishing boats in the bay. On a clear day you can see as far as Cha-am beach. It is one of the best places to take in the whole of Hua Hin from above. Early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is gentler, is the most comfortable time to stand in the breeze and shoot — at midday the open courtyard can get hot, so bring a hat and water up with you.

🐒 The resident macaques — fun, but stay alert

The name Monkey Mountain comes from the colony of macaques that live around the hill and along the stairs. The monkeys here are very used to people and will snatch a bag of food, a water bottle, sunglasses or any small item in your hand before you can react. To stay trouble-free: keep food and water bottles zipped away in your bag, never walk around holding a visible bag, do not feed them, and do not tease or stare at them. With small children, keep hold of their hands the whole time. Follow that and most people walk up with no trouble at all.

🪜 The stair climb and the figures along the way

The way up has a concrete staircase with handrails on both sides, lined with Thai flags, and it is a short climb to the temple courtyard. Along the route and around the hill there are things to enjoy — small Chinese shrines and various statues by the path. If the stairs are too much, or you come at the hottest part of the day, a songthaew, tuk-tuk or motorbike can take you up the road. Wear comfortable shoes, as some sections get slippery after rain.

🦐 Khao Takiab beach and the seafood at the foot

The sea side at the foot of the hill is Khao Takiab beach, quieter and less crowded than the town beach in Hua Hin, good for sitting in the breeze after coming down from the top. Along the shore is a row of seafood restaurants where you eat with a view of the hill and the water. Many people climb in the morning and come down for lunch right after. Order seafood by checking the price per kilo and agreeing it first. Read how to order and which places stand out in the Hua Hin seafood guide.

The flag-lined staircase up to Wat Khao Takiab, Hua Hin, leading to the chedi on the hilltop — The staircase up to Wat Khao Takiab — a short climb to the temple courtyard on top, with macaques and statues along the way

More around the hill

Around Khao Takiab — the Chinese shrine, the chedi and the hill opposite

Beyond the standing Buddha and the bay view, Khao Takiab also has a colourful Chinese shrine, a chedi and a second small hill nearby to walk on to.

🏮 The Chinese shrine and the colourful figures

Around the temple courtyard is a Chinese shrine with a curved roof topped by dragons and pillars wrapped in gold, red and green dragon carving, set right on the edge of the hill with the sea as its backdrop. It is a favourite photo corner because the colours stand out against the sky and the water, and it reflects the long-standing Thai-Chinese community in Hua Hin. You can see it in one loop together with the standing Buddha and the chedi on top.

⛰️ Khao Krailat (the second hill opposite)

Near Khao Takiab is Khao Krailat, another low hill that also has a temple and statues. Some people walk the two together on the same trip. If you have time left in the day and still feel like walking, you can add it on, but Khao Takiab on its own is enough for a half-day stop. Plan your whole day in town at the Hua Hin attractions guide and see trips out of town at the Hua Hin day trips guide.

A brightly coloured Chinese shrine on Khao Takiab, Hua Hin, with dragon-wrapped pillars and the Gulf of Thailand behind it — The Chinese shrine on Khao Takiab — colourful dragon-wrapped pillars on the edge of the hill, with the Gulf of Thailand behind

Before you go

Know before you climb Khao Takiab — timing, dress and what to watch for

It is an easy stop to prepare for, but a few things are worth knowing — the monkeys, the sun, and how to dress.

Khao Takiab is open through the day and is free to enter, with just a donation box if you wish to give. The time we suggest is early morning or late afternoon, because the courtyard on top is open to the sky and midday sun is strong — bring a hat, sunglasses and water. As for dress, keep it modest with shoulders and knees covered, since it is a temple, and take off your shoes when entering a worship hall.

The thing to watch most is the monkeys — zip food and water bottles into your bag, do not walk around with a visible bag, and do not feed or tease them. Wear comfortable shoes, as the stairs and some sections get slippery after rain. If the stairs are too much, you can ride up. All of that makes Khao Takiab an easy place for almost anyone to visit.

Hua Hin attractions guide

Khao Takiab, the railway station, the beach, the palaces, the vineyard and more — all in one place

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Hua Hin beach

The town's main beach — soft sand, beach horse-riding and beachfront restaurants, easy to pair with Khao Takiab

Getting to Khao Takiab and up the hill

Khao Takiab is about 7 km south of Hua Hin town, and it is easy enough to reach — most people use the green songthaew or a scooter. Within Hua Hin town itself there is no BTS or MRT skytrain like Bangkok, but the green songthaews and scooters get you around fine.

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Green songthaew

Easy and cheap

Runs along Phetkasem/the beach by day · agree the destination first

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Rent a scooter

The most flexible

Wear a helmet · carry a licence · ride carefully

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Grab

Works · limited supply

Can mean a wait, or a higher fare when it is busy

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Tuk-tuk

Handy but pricey

Always agree the fare before you get in · don't board without asking

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Up to the summit

Stairs, or ride up

Stairs have handrails · or songthaew/motorbike up the road

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From Bangkok

Train / van / drive

The Southern Line train arrives at Hua Hin station, then on into town

Getting-around tip for Hua Hin: Hua Hin has no BTS or MRT skytrain, but you can reach it from Bangkok by the scenic Southern Line train, which arrives at the Hua Hin Railway Station (the station itself is a lovely landmark worth a stop), by van, or by driving down. Around town and out to Khao Takiab, the green songthaews and scooters are the usual way; for tuk-tuks and taxis, agree the fare before you get in every time. See the full local guide in the getting around Hua Hin guide, and travel across the country in the getting around Thailand guide.

Plan your visit

Visiting Khao Takiab — half a day is plenty

⏱️ A morning half-day (~3 hours · the hill + seafood lunch)

09:00 — Arrive at the foot of Khao Takiab and climb the stairs (or ride up) while the sun is still soft
09:30 — Pay respects at the tall standing Buddha, look around the Chinese shrine and the chedi, and photograph the view over Hua Hin bay from the courtyard edge
10:30 — Head down, watching the monkeys on the way (keep what's in your hands zipped away), and stroll Khao Takiab beach for the breeze
11:30 — Lunch of seafood at a restaurant by the beach at the foot — check the price per kilo before ordering
12:30 — Head back into town or on to another stop in Hua Hin

🌇 Pair it with other stops for a full day

Khao Takiab is a half-day on its own, and it pairs well with other stops — for example, the hill in the morning, then Hua Hin beach and the Hua Hin Railway Station in the afternoon, and a market in town for the evening. If you have more time, head out of town to another spot. See all the options at the Hua Hin attractions guide and day trips at the Hua Hin day trips guide. Plan a stay near the beach at the top 10 hotels in Hua Hin.

Khao Takiab seen from Khao Takiab beach, Hua Hin — the starting point for a half-day route up the hill to the temple and then seafood by the shore — Khao Takiab from the foot — climb up to the temple and the view over Hua Hin bay, then come down to seafood by the shore, all in one place

Frequently asked questions

FAQ · Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

Where is Khao Takiab in Hua Hin?

Khao Takiab is a rocky headland at the south end of Hua Hin beach, about 7 km down the coast from Hua Hin town. It is a low hill, around 272 metres high, that juts out into the Gulf of Thailand. Locals and visitors call it Monkey Mountain because a colony of macaques lives around it. On the summit are Wat Khao Takiab, a tall golden standing Buddha and a Chinese shrine, while at the foot are Khao Takiab beach and a row of seafood restaurants. You can reach the top either by climbing the stairs or by riding up the road.

Is there an entry fee for Khao Takiab?

There is no entry fee. Wat Khao Takiab is free to visit for the temple and the view, with just a donation box if you wish to give. There are two ways up: walk the stairs from the foot of the hill to the temple courtyard on top, or, if you would rather not climb, take a songthaew, tuk-tuk or motorbike up the road. The summit is an open courtyard with the tall standing Buddha and a Chinese shrine. Dress modestly, as it is a temple.

Are the monkeys at Khao Takiab aggressive, and what should I watch out for?

The monkeys at Khao Takiab are a large colony of resident macaques and they are very used to people. They do not set out to hurt anyone, but they will snatch a bag of food, a water bottle, sunglasses or any small item in your hand very fast. The simple rules are to keep food and water bottles zipped away in your bag, never walk around holding a visible bag, and do not feed, tease or stare at the monkeys. If you have small children, keep hold of their hands. Follow that and most people walk up with no trouble at all.

What is the standing Buddha and the view like on Khao Takiab?

On the summit is a tall golden standing Buddha, about 20 metres high, facing out to sea toward Hua Hin town — it is the main photo spot and the focus of the temple. Around the courtyard there are also a chedi, a brightly coloured Chinese shrine and brass bells. From the edge of the courtyard you look out over Hua Hin bay stretching north, and on a clear day you can see as far as Cha-am beach. Early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is softer, is the most comfortable time to walk around and take photos.

How do I get to Khao Takiab from Hua Hin town?

Khao Takiab is about 7 km south of Hua Hin town. The easiest option is the green songthaew that runs along Phetkasem Road and the beach by day — agree your destination before you get on. You can also use Grab, which works but has limited supply and can mean a wait. Many people rent a scooter and ride themselves (wear a helmet, carry a licence and ride carefully). Tuk-tuks in Hua Hin are pricey, so always agree the fare before you get in. Hua Hin has no BTS or MRT skytrain like Bangkok, but the green songthaews and scooters get you around the town fine. See the full local guide in the getting around Hua Hin guide.

The complete Hua Hin guide

Where to stay, what to see, what to eat, how to get around — everything to know before Hua Hin

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Hua Hin Railway Station

Thailand's prettiest historic station and the royal waiting room — easy to pair with Khao Takiab

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Hua Hin day trips

Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, Cha-am, the vineyard and other spots within an easy day trip

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