French garden
Central gardens
Formal flower beds, clipped hedges and fountains laid out in a European style. One of the most photographed parts of the park.
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Pattaya, Thailand
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
A vast botanical park south of Pattaya with themed gardens, a dinosaur valley, cultural shows and huge collections of palms and cycads.
Favourite places
Stonehenge garden
Themed gardens
A replica of the stone circle set among tropical plants — an unexpected sight in the Thai countryside.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Dinosaur valley
Themed gardens
Life-size dinosaur models among the palms and cycads, a hit with children.
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Plant collections
Houses full of orchids in bloom, part of the large plant collections the garden is known for.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Thai cultural show
Show theatre
A stage show of Thai dance, music and traditional martial arts held in the park.
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Local food
Khao man gai
Pattaya, Thailand
Poached chicken on rice cooked in chicken stock, with a ginger and soybean sauce — a simple, filling lunch.
Mango sticky rice
Pattaya, Thailand
Sweet ripe mango with sticky rice and coconut cream, a cool treat on a hot day.
Where to eat
Restaurants inside the garden
Nong Nooch
The park has its own restaurants and snack stands, so you do not need to leave for lunch.
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Jomtien, on the way back
Seafood restaurants along Jomtien Beach Road make a good dinner stop on the drive back to Pattaya.
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Where to stay
Jomtien
Pattaya, Thailand
The nearest beach area to the garden, quieter than central Pattaya.
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Pattaya, Thailand
South of Jomtien with beach resorts, closer still to Nong Nooch and Khao Chi Chan.
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Culture
Nong Nooch is a family-run garden that grew from a fruit plantation. Stay on the paths, do not pick flowers or plants, and follow staff instructions at the shows.
History
Nong Nooch began in the 1950s as a fruit plantation bought by the Tansacha family and opened as a garden in 1980. It now covers hundreds of hectares, with a French garden, a Stonehenge, orchid nurseries and a Thai cultural show.
Tour plans
South of Pattaya day out
1 dayStep 1: Nong Nooch gardens
Arrive early and use the shuttle between the themed gardens.
Step 2: Cultural show
Catch the Thai dance and music show.
Step 3: Khao Chi Chan
Continue to the golden Buddha on the cliff in the late afternoon.
Step 4: Dinner in Jomtien
Seafood on the seafront on the way back.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to February, arriving in the morning before the midday heat; allow most of a day for the park.
How to get there
About 30 minutes south of Pattaya by car, Grab or tour.
Getting around
Nong Nooch is outside the city on the Sukhumvit Road, so the easiest ways in are Grab, a hired car or a tour with hotel pick-up. Inside, use the park's shuttle or rent a buggy — the gardens are spread out.
Travel tips
Take the shuttle or a buggy — the park is too big to walk in the heat.
