We got to Khao Takiap with a local TukTuk, and there are a couple of shops as you walk up the stairs from the beach before you spot a big Buddha statue. From here, you can take the long staircase behind it to reach the main parts of the temple ( Wat Khao Takiab )here. Roughly in the middle of the staircase, there’s a small shrine on the side, and on top you can find some statues, a viewpoint, one more Buddha statue and the main temple. This area, however, is sadly in not such a good shape. A lot of buildings are in dire need of repairs. The view, however is just stunning. The monkeys there didn’t bother us at all, and if you keep your distance and don’t bring plastic bags or food with you, they will usually just look at you, but not bother you at all. From the small viewpoint up here, we spotted another temple not far from here, which was called the Phra Mae Kwan Im Shrine according to google maps. We took another TukTuk to reach that place, and it took us up the hill, past all the local fish restaurants until we reached the top. Some locals were just calling this area “The Chinese Temple”, so If you want to take a TukTuk as well, best use this name. On the main area, you can spot a temple where we could listen to the chants of the monks before we spotted the stairs leading up to the temple on top. If you want to head inside, you have to take off your shoes, but from up there you can also just enjoy the truly magnificent view which was definitely worth the climb! Apart from that area, however, there’s even more if you decide to walk the other way. This path will lead to you a small Chinese temple which is truly fascinating as well. Most of the monkeys here were in this area, but they didn’t bother us at all. This temple contains a large number of pagodas and statues all decorated in blue, red and gold colours and also a statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess with the thousand arms.

Wat Khao Takiap is a wonderful place to visit, offering stunning views of Hua Hin and the surrounding coastline from the top. The temple itself is beautiful, and the experience of climbing up the stairs makes it feel like a little adventure. However, be prepared for the many monkeys along the way! It's highly recommended to find a stick before you start the climb, as this will help keep the monkeys at a distance. As long as you have a stick, they won’t bother you at all, and you can enjoy the hike without any worries. Overall, it's a great spot to explore, combining culture, nature, and a bit of excitement.

Rent a scooter, and drive 20 minutes. You will be at the end of the huge 9 km beach of Hua Hin. Climb the many steps, past hordes of wild monkeys, and enjoy the panoramic views.