- Check Out the Island's Amazing Beaches
- Visit Klong Plu Waterfall
- Taste Amazing Seafood at Bangbao Fishing Village
- Go to Kai Bae Viewpoint
- Visit Salakphet Mangrove Walkway
- Appreciate the Sunset at Chai Chet Cape
- Take a Scuba Diving Course
- Go Snorkeling Around the Island
- Take an Authentic Thai Cooking Class
- Get a Traditional Thai Massage and Spa Treatment
Located 350 kilometers (217 miles) from Bangkok on the far eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Chang is the second-largest island in the kingdom. For many years, Koh Chang remained mostly undiscovered.
Although the island has seen steady development over the last decade, it's nowhere near on the scale of the more popular tourist islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
Koh Chang, or Elephant Island, retains its rustic charm while still offering visitors a slice of luxury and all the creature comforts you could want from a major tourist destination.
Here, we have detailed the top 10 things to do in Koh Chang.
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My husband and I are planning a 3 week…
Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More
, Mar 2024
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Very great experience our driver D was…
Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More
Rylan Coache, Feb 2024
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Excellent guide in Siem Reap
Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More
Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024
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Asia Highlights trip to Thailand
Our first tour guide in Bangkok, Marie, was great to tour around with. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. Our next stop in Chang Mai we were greeted by our new tour guide, Rafael. He too was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. He made it feel as if we were traveling around with a long time friend. Every time we arrived at a new destination, we were greeted at the airport by someone with a sign with our name making our travels easy. I would definitely recommend Asia Highlights to anyone looking for a well planned trip of a lifetime! More
Tricia, Feb 2024
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Amazing Thailand experience
The tour guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating, especially Mayuree in Bangkok- absolutely wonderful. We felt taken care of and every step of the way was catered to our needs. More
Ashley White, Feb 2024
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Private tour perfect for our times
Asia highlights organized a private tour with our requests. Everything was perfect ?? the driver Tom and the guide Ying were always on time with a smile in their face. Always willing to help and make our trip perfect. Bangkok is a very hot city so we minimized the time outside. The driver always had cold towels for us in the van and cold beverages. More
Virginia, Feb 2024
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Thailand
We loved Chiang Mai and Susie did a great job showing us several temples, taking many pictures of us with the elephants at the sanctuary (a definite highlight of the entire trip!), and making sure we were well fed, which became a running joke between us.We had a very relaxing few days in Phuket enjoying the beautiful beaches. Kai was great, answering all of our questions and giving us a nice tour of the old town. The all-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi islands started off a little shaky as the sea was quite rough so if you’re at all uncomfortable bouncing around in a speedboat, you might want to skip that tour. Things did calm down as the day went on and some of the areas they took us to for swimming, snorkeling, etc were really beautiful. A couple of the islands were too crowded with people. More
Andrea Roberts, Feb 2024
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What a Wonderful Trip
What a Wonderful Trip! We booked with Sharon and our trip was great - guides were waiting for us at each stop, and they were all very nice and helpful. I cannot stress how amazing the guides were - they made the trip. More
Rachel, Feb 2024
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Ask for Victor!
If you are traveling to Bangkhok you need to request Victor. He made our trip amazing! My family completed bucket list items with his guidance. He knew exactly how to get us places, kept us on time, made us feel safe, educated us on history, spoke excellent English and was genuinely a nice man! Everyone we encountered was awesome- but Victor is the reason for my 5 star review! More
Sandy, Jan 2024
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Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a…
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Thailand. We had a great time. The tour guides were wonderful as were the hotels you booked for us. We will definitely contact you to plan our next trip More
Carol Yeung, Jan 2024
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Ying was the best
Ying was the best. She was really knowledgeable and kind. Thank you Ying for wonderful experience in Thailand! More
Sylvester Yeung, Jan 2024
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Very well organized
Very well organized. Our tour guide, Ying, was amazing! She had full knowledge of every location we visited and made sure our itinerary was fulfilled as expected. She was extremely helpful for our airport experiences, and made sure we arrived at an appropriate time. More
David M. Kang, Jan 2024
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Family trip to Thailand
We were lucky to be greeted by Marie and her driver.In Marie, we have made a friend for life. She is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about her home country. From the vast number of temples to safely traversing Chinatown.She helped give us tips on our free days, locate left behind lost clothing and arrange for pickup. She even helped check us in for our flight to Chiang Mai.She prepared us ahead of time for every event we had scheduled and bonded with our kids, 3x 13 year olds. More
Justin Levenbrook, Jan 2024
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Thailand with and amazing tour guide Ying
I highly recommend Ying as a tour guide in Thailand. Her expertise in Thai culture, combined with her passion for food and genuine love for her country, made the tour an exceptional experience. If you're looking for a guide who will not only show you the sights but also immerse you in the local culture and help you discover delicious Thai cuisine, Ying is the perfect choice. More
Diana Irizarry, Jan 2024
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Asia Highlights Thailand trip
Asia Highlights provided us with a great travel trip. They made it very easy to navigate through Thailand with everything going very smoothly. From the easy transportation to the great day itinerary everything was awesome. Will definitely look to use this agency again in the future. More
Taylor Jones, Jan 2024
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Perfect 2 WK Thailand Trip for a Solo Female Traveler
Bank was our guide in Bangkok and he showed us around the city with ease and we were able to see and try things I never would have planned on my own. After Bangkok, our small group flew to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng lantern festival and that was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget! Pop was our guide in this city and she was knowledgeable, kind and caring which made our experience even more memorable. More
Tia, Dec 2023
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We recently have just returned from Thailand
We recently have just returned one from a 5 week trip to Thailand through Asia Highlights. We had a wonderful time and Asia Highlights went beyond our expectations. They truly tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly and we were taken care of! Everyone was amazing and we would definitely use them in the future!! Many thanks to everyone that helped to make this an incredible once in a lifetime experience!! More
Karen Rocque, Dec 2023
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Indochina Experience
On our 5th day of our trip with Asiahighlights. We felt well taken care of before and it hasn’t changed since we started from Bangkok to Hanoi (guide Kim was verrry knowledgeable!) to Halong Bay (spectacular scenery) to Hoi An (guide Nhieu Tran, giving great local (shopping) tips and insights). More
Stefan Eisenhut, Dec 2023
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1. Check Out the Island's Amazing Beaches
Koh Chang is a large island with many beaches, each having a different atmosphere with different activities. Choosing the right beach is important as Koh Chang is very spread out so walking from beach to beach isn't really an option.
White Sand Beach is the most popular and densely populated beach on the island, with bars, restaurants, and a market. It has by far the largest concentration of upmarket resorts on the island.
Kai Bae Beach is popular with young families and couples and has a more chilled atmosphere than White Sands Beach while still housing some upmarket resorts.
Lonely Beach is the island's backpacker area and the ideal beach for travelers on a tight budget who like to party.
Bangbao Beach is in the quaint old fishing village of Bangbao and is a very relaxed beach. If you like to get away from the crowds, this is your spot. Accommodation is limited in Bangbao and gets booked months in advance.
10-Day Island Hopping Tour around Eastern Thailand:
2. Visit Klong Plu Waterfall
There are several fantastic waterfalls in Koh Chang. Klong Plu Waterfall is the most popular one and is by far the most accessible.
Unlike some of the island's other waterfalls, Klong Plu Waterfall has water almost all year round, meaning it can even be enjoyed at the start of the dry season. There is a plunge pool at the bottom of the waterfall that makes for a refreshing break from the heat.
The whole area does get busy with tour groups so it's best to arrive at the waterfall early to avoid the crowds. Klong Plu Waterfall is part of the island's national park so there is a 200 baht entrance fee for adults. Kids can visit for 100 baht.
3. Taste Amazing Seafood at Bangbao Fishing Village
The houses in Bangbao village are perched on stilts with a bridge linking each home in the community.
The village has changed over the years, with many traditional fishing houses being turned into homestays as well as dive shops and tour agencies popping up around it.
Sitting outside above the water for lunch or dinner with a plate of the freshest catch of the day is a great experience.
The seas around Trat, where Koh Chang is located, are famous for having some of the best mantis shrimp, cuttlefish, crab, and shrimp in Thailand. Order any of these from one of Bangbao's many seafood restaurants and we are sure you won't be disappointed.
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4. Go to Kai Bae Viewpoint
Kai Bae Viewpoint is located on the west of Koh Chang and boasts one of the best views on the entire island. Sitting above Sea View Resort on Kai Bae Beach, you can see views of Koh Yuak, Koh Pli, Koh Man Nai, and Koh Man Nok.
At either mid-morning or sunset, you are almost guaranteed to get that perfect family photo or social media snap. Kae Bae Viewpoint is best reached by car or motorbike.
5. Visit Salakphet Mangrove Walkway
Nicknamed 'the Red Bridge' due to its rust-red color, Salakphet Mangrove Walkway takes you on a scenic walk through the Koh Chang mangroves.
It boasts a 360-degree panoramic view with a sea of greenery as far as the eye can see. It's a perfect spot for nature lovers as there is plenty of flora and fauna on offer.
12-Day Thailand Family Holiday:
6. Appreciate the Sunset at Chai Chet Cape
Chai Chet Cape is another fantastic destination for sunset views in Koh Chang. Situated at the northernmost end of Klong Prao Beach, the views are even more dramatic than at the above-mentioned Kai Bae Beach, with jagged rock formations shooting out of the water.
After the sun's gone down, head to Chai Chet village where you'll find some of the most authentic local food and drink stalls on the island. Don't miss the famous Thai roti and smoothies!
7. Take a Scuba Diving Course
Koh Chang has a bustling scuba diving scene with many well-established, well-run dive companies competing for business. The best time to see the island's top sites, such as the HTMS Chang shipwreck, is between November and May when the water visibility is at its best.
Koh Chang is surrounded by smaller islands that are perfect for diving so there is no shortage of sites to visit to keep your dive days interesting. The most popular sites are Hin Lak Bat, Hin Tai Nam, Hin Rua Tek, and the islands around Koh Rang.
The common sea life you can spot includes groupers, moray eels, barracuda, clownfish, giant sea turtles, and, if you're really fortunate, the odd whale shark!
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8. Go Snorkeling Around the Island
If you don't feel comfortable diving but still want to see the island's amazing marine life, there are some excellent snorkeling tours on offer around Koh Chang.
The best snorkeling trips head to the large, uninhabited island of Koh Rang off the southern coast of Koh Chang.
If you are visiting the island in October or November and the sea is clear, you can rent a canoe and make your own way to Koh Rang from either Klong Prao Beach or Kai Bae Beach.
A great way to snorkel and see the best of Koh Chang is to hire a private boat to take you around the island's different beaches and coves.
9. Take an Authentic Thai Cooking Class
Thai cooking classes are always a fun experience for visitors to Koh Chang. You can learn so much about the local island culture by cooking the local food. You also get to eat some of the best food you will have on your whole trip and you will have cooked it yourself!
There are dozens of cooking schools and classes to choose from in Koh Chang. The highly recommended ones are Koh Chang Thai Cooking School, Napalai Thai Cooking School, and Happy Turtle.
Each school has different lengths of class times as well as unique menus to choose from. Most classes and schools are happy to accommodate vegetarian and vegan courses with prior notice.
9-Day Thailand East Coast Island Hopping Tour:
10. Get a Traditional Thai Massage and Spa Treatment
You can't visit a Thai island without getting a traditional Thai massage. With Koh Chang being such a huge island, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to spa treatments, with salons to suit any traveler's budget.
You can opt for a Thai massage, an oil massage, or even a Swedish massage, the options are endless. You'll find Koh Chang spas using traditional treatments, such as tamarind and honey moisturizers, sea salt body scrubs, and local white mud for facial cleansing.
A real treat is to get your spa treatment done at one of Koh Chang's many 5-star resorts overlooking one of the island's tropical beaches. It doesn't get much more relaxing than that!
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Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.
moreOur guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!
moreOur China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.
moreShe was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,
moreOur tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.
moreHe picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreOur day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.
moreXian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.
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