泰国的海滩和岛屿THAILAND'S BEACHES & ISLANDS

作者简介

Airline schedules decree that many beach holidays begin in Bangkok, and despite initial impressions, Thailand’s crazy, polluted capital is well worth a couple of days of your time. Within the city’s historic core you’ll find resplendent temples, canalside markets and the opulent indulgence of the eighteenth-century Grand Palace, all of which make a good antidote to the mind-boggling array of markets, boutiques and restaurants in the fashionable downtown area. 　　Within easy striking distance of Bangkok, the East Coast resort of Pattaya is the country’s most popular – and least interesting – destination, a concrete warren of hotels and strip joints that makes its money from package tourists who are unaware of what they’re missing. Yet just a few dozen kilometres further east sit the islands of Ko Samet and Ko Chang, whose superb sands are dotted with beach huts and bungalows designed to appeal to all budgets and tastes. 　　After an interesting inland diversion at the atmospheric, temple-filled town of Phetchaburi, the peninsular Gulf Coast kicks off with the historic resort of Hua Hin – now rather disfigured by excessive hotel development, though still a good place for a seafood dinner and a round of golf. The main draw on this side of the peninsula, though, is the Samui archipelago to the south: Ko Samui itself is the most developed of the three main islands here, but has kept its good looks and offers an appealing variety of beachside accommodation; Ko Pha Ngan, with its small resorts and desolate coves, is still firmly backpacker territory, drawing teenage ravers and solitude seekers in equal parts; while the last outcrop, Ko Tao, is the most rustic of the three, but has established itself as one of the world’s leading centres for scuba-diving courses. 　　Across on the other side of the peninsula, the Andaman Coast boasts even more exhilarating scenery and the finest coral reefs in the country, in particular around the spectacular Ko Similan island chain, which ranks as one of the best dive sites in the world. The largest Andaman Coast island, Phuket, is one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations and is graced with a dozen fine beaches; many of these have been over-developed with expensive high-rises and throbbing nightlife, but quieter corners can still be found. Ko Phi Phi has also suffered under unregulated construction, but its coral-rich sea remains an untainted azure, and the sheer limestone cliffs that characterize the coastline here – and elsewhere around the harbour town and beaches of nearby Krabi – are breathtakingly beautiful. The island of Ko Lanta has a more understated charm and is a popular destination for families. Inland attractions generally pale in comparison to the coastal splendours, but the rainforests of Khao Sok National Park are a notable exception.

书籍目录

Colour section　Colour map of the country　Where to go　Underwater Thailand　When to go　Things not to missBasics　Getting there  Travel via neighbouring countries　Red tape and visas  Information, websites and maps  Money, banks and costs  Insurance  Health  Getting around　Accommodation　Food and drink　Telephones, mail and Internet access,　The media　Crime and personal safety　Opening hours and holidays　Festivals　Entertainment and sport　Spas and traditional massage　Meditation centres and retreats 　Cultural hints　Outdoor activities　Gay Thailand　Travellers with disabilities　Travelling with kids　DirectoryThe Guide　1 Bangkok　　Highlights　　Arrival　　Orientation and information　　City transport　　Accommodation　　Ratanakosin　　Banglamphu and the　　 Democracy Monument area　　Chinatown and Pahurat　　Thonburi　　Dusit　　Downtown Bangkok　　Chatuchak and　the outskirts　　Eating　　Nightlife and entertainment　　Shopping　　Moving on from Bangkok　　Listings　　Travel details……ContextsLanguageIndex+small print

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