Visiting Pattaya without stopping at Nong Nooch is like not seeing the Eiffel Tower when in Paris. It’s a must-do when in the area. Nong Nooch Garden started out with intentions of becoming a fruit garden, but eventually became the tourist destination hot spot that it is now. Despite being called a garden, it is actually more of a park complete with traditional Thai dances, elephant shows, restaurants, other animals, and various activities throughout the year. Though there is something for everyone at Nong Nooch, the park still revolves around the gardens.

Different Gardens

Nong Noochs is constantly changing the gardens so that no two times to Nong Nooch will ever be the same. The various gardens are inspired from places all over the world including France, England and elsewhere in Europe. Of course, there are also gardens fashioned like traditional Asian ones. There are currently 12 different gardens including the Vase Garden which features elephant sculptures. One of their creative gardens is named the Pontoon Lake and is a floating garden. Possibly the most creative garden is the Stonehenge Garden which is fashioned much like the original Stonehenge. Each garden is vastly different than the next which highlights the amount of creativity and thought put into this beautiful landscape.

Species

Nong Nooch is home to thousands of different species of plants including just over one thousand species of palms. Though the palms are found throughout the garden, many more species are found here as well including cactus, cycads, and a plant with bright flowers that is known as bougainvillea. Nong Nooch also features one of the most popular plants in Thailand; the wrightia tomentosa which is a light green leafy plant with white flowers.

Conservation Efforts

Not much thought was put into conserving or saving any dwindling species of plants when the garden was first started. Now however, it is one of the main goals of the park. Numerous institutions work together with the park to make every effort to keep some plants from becoming extinct. The park strives to maintain as many types of threatened species as possible. An example of a threatened species found at Nong Nooch Gardens is the group of cycad plants. The cycad plants have been around since the time of dinosaurs but unfortunately due to humans lack of conservation efforts have dwindled down to almost nothing. The Nong Nooch Gardens has every intention of bringing the population of this plant as well as others back to a thriving state.

The Nong Nooch Park has many sites and activities and welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world visit every year. The main attractions for many are the various gardens. These gardens are well kept by staff and are some of the most beautiful gardens in the entire world. The park is well known by botanists and small-time gardeners alike and is an attraction that cannot be missed when visiting surrounding areas, especially Pattaya.

Citations:

• Image Source of Elephants

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•  License: Image author owned

Victor is a Thai travel writer based in Bangkok who writes for www.gogoflorist.com. He is a specialist in Thai native orchids and shares his passion on their blog.