Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is a marvelous place for a relaxing day full of wandering nearby Pattaya. This grandiose botanic complex offers a diversity of entertainments from restaurants and mini-zoos to elephant shows (similar to the ones in the Elephant Village) and birds’ parks.

The History

In 1954, Mrs. Nongnooch Tansacha and Mr. Pisit (the local landlords) bought the piece of land 240 hectares in size where they planned to grow fruit trees and vegetables. After the purchase, Mrs. Nongnooch traveled abroad and was greatly impressed by the beauty of the Gardens of Versailles. It encouraged her to create something similar on her lands. After the long years of hard work, the tropical garden of Mrs. Nongnooch opened its doors to the first guests. It was opened in 1980 and was named after its owner. The place quickly became popular not only among locals but also among tourists. Nowadays, about 2000 people visit the part daily.

Peculiarities of Nong Nooch Garden

Nong Nooch Garden is the largest botanic garden in South-ast Asia. It has the biggest private collection of plants in the world. After a day full of walking, the guests of the garden can grab a snack in the cafe or restaurant or stay in the local hotel. Besides accepting crowds of tourists, the garden hosts various seminars for students and schoolchildren. It even has its own school of landscape design.

What can you see in the park?

Nong Nooch Garden is growing every day. It’s quite problematic to explore its territory in one day. The park is divided into theme zones so tourists can decide which area is more interesting for them.

Elephant shows

During the elephant show in Nong Nooch, you can admire how these huge animals play football and basketball, throw darts, ride bikes, paint and even massage (you can not only watch the last one but even give it a try).

Zoo

Probably, this is the most popular place in the zoo. On its territory, you can meet with goats and peacocks freely walking alongside with you. It also features deer, turtles and huge pavilions with the most diverse birds.

Pond

The pond is remarkable for offering an impressive activity - the feeding of Arapaima gigas. It’s the largest freshwater fish in the world. It feels creepy to see how this giant fish grasps the food.

Butterfly Hill

Imagine walking surrounded by juicy greenery and admiring bright tropical butterflies. They flit around the garden, sit on the leaves and even on tourists. It’s a truly charming and impressive sight.

Collection of Palms

Nong Nooch tropical garden has a collection of over 1100 species of palms. In 1998, it was proclaimed to be the biggest collection of palm trees in the world. 

European Garden

This garden is based on the Gardens of Versailles which had inspired Mrs. Nongnooch to create her work. Besides perfectly cut trees and bushes, the garden displays the collection of the exact copies of Buddhist mortars. There are arbors built on the hills which offer a splendid view of the garden.

Orchid Garden

Exquisite and tender tropical orchids are real pride of the garden. You’ll be dazzled by the variety of forms, colors and sized of the flowers. 

Bromeliad Display Garden

Not far from the Orchid Garden, you’ll find a small park with extraordinary figures made of clay pots. The figures depict palms, hearts, elephants. It even has an arbor for the couples which is also made of pots.

Garage

Among this tropical beauty, Nong Nooch park has a garage with a collection of 40 sports cars. The collection belongs to the son of Mrs. Nong Nooch, who’s the director of the garden today. 

Important information for tourists

Address: Bang Sare, Sattahip District, Chonburi

Working hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00

How to get to the location:

• take the brand bus of Nong Nooch Garden which leaves twice a day (morning and afternoon) from Pattaya hotels;
• take a taxi - the ride will cost you around 400-500 Bahts in one direction.

Ticket price: 500 Bahts for adults and 400 Bahts for children.