Monday, 19 December 2011

Tang Kuan Hill, Songkhla


Leaving Samila Beach, the coach made a few turns and before we knew it, we were already at the foot of Tang Kuan Hill. 

Remember the legend about the Mouse and Cat Island? 

This is the hill which the Dog turned into.

Where we are visiting is located right on the top of this hill and to get up there, we had to take a 3 minutes, 170m inclined-lift ride up where a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of Songkhla City awaits.

The ticket

Visiting Tang Kuan Hill is free but you pay 30 baht for the lift ride. 

Alternatively, you can make your way up by foot via the stairs.




That is the South China Sea, if, I am not wrong



 
Chedi

Other than the great scenary, sitting on the hilltop is a Dvaravati Chedi housing the Buddha's relics which was built during the Nakhon Si Thammarat Empire.

Since 1866, it was restored under the command of King Rama IV and in 1966, King Rama IX gave the Lord Buddha relics for filling in the Pagoda.


Monkeys lived in the trees around the hill and tourists would often come to the foot of the hill to feed them.

According to the tour guide, many Monkeys have been run over by vehicles while crossing the road therefore the people constructed a rope ladder hoisted up into the air for them.

Is that not the sweetest thing one can do for the animals?


Monkeys on the rooftops of some locals' homes


Before we head back to the hotel, we were driven across the longest bridge in Asia - the Tinuslanonda Bridge which spans 3.8km.




Stay tuned for the next post as we leave Songkhla for Hat Yai where we checked into the worst hotel I have ever stayed!