泰国的海滩和岛屿THAILAND'S BEACHES & ISLANDS

分類: 图书,进口原版书,旅游与地理 Travel Guide ,
作者: Paul Gray著
出 版 社: 上海蓝泉外文图书有限公司
出版时间: 2002-12-1字数:版次: 1页数: 512印刷时间: 2004/11/01开本:印次:纸张: 胶版纸I S B N : 9781843532743包装: 平装内容简介
Airline schedules decree that many beach holidays begin in Bangkok, and despite initial impressions, Thailand’s crazy, polluted capital is well worth a couple of days of your time. Within the city’s historic core you’ll find resplendent temples, canalside markets and the opulent indulgence of the eighteenth-century Grand Palace, all of which make a good antidote to the mind-boggling array of markets, boutiques and restaurants in the fashionable downtown area.
Within easy striking distance of Bangkok, the East Coast resort of Pattaya is the country’s most popular – and least interesting – destination, a concrete warren of hotels and strip joints that makes its money from package tourists who are unaware of what they’re missing. Yet just a few dozen kilometres further east sit the islands of Ko Samet and Ko Chang, whose superb sands are dotted with beach huts and bungalows designed to appeal to all budgets and tastes.
After an interesting inland diversion at the atmospheric, temple-filled town of Phetchaburi, the peninsular Gulf Coast kicks off with the historic resort of Hua Hin – now rather disfigured by excessive hotel development, though still a good place for a seafood dinner and a round of golf. The main draw on this side of the peninsula, though, is the Samui archipelago to the south: Ko Samui itself is the most developed of the three main islands here, but has kept its good looks and offers an appealing variety of beachside accommodation; Ko Pha Ngan, with its small resorts and desolate coves, is still firmly backpacker territory, drawing teenage ravers and solitude seekers in equal parts; while the last outcrop, Ko Tao, is the most rustic of the three, but has established itself as one of the world’s leading centres for scuba-diving courses.
Across on the other side of the peninsula, the Andaman Coast boasts even more exhilarating scenery and the finest coral reefs in the country, in particular around the spectacular Ko Similan island chain, which ranks as one of the best dive sites in the world. The largest Andaman Coast island, Phuket, is one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations and is graced with a dozen fine beaches; many of these have been over-developed with expensive high-rises and throbbing nightlife, but quieter corners can still be found. Ko Phi Phi has also suffered under unregulated construction, but its coral-rich sea remains an untainted azure, and the sheer limestone cliffs that characterize the coastline here – and elsewhere around the harbour town and beaches of nearby Krabi – are breathtakingly beautiful. The island of Ko Lanta has a more understated charm and is a popular destination for families. Inland attractions generally pale in comparison to the coastal splendours, but the rainforests of Khao Sok National Park are a notable exception.
目录
Colour section
Colour map of the country
Where to go
Underwater Thailand
When to go
Things not to miss
Basics
Getting there
Travel via neighbouring countries
Red tape and visas
Information, websites and maps
Money, banks and costs
Insurance
Health
Getting around
Accommodation
Food and drink
Telephones, mail and Internet access,
The media
Crime and personal safety
Opening hours and holidays
Festivals
Entertainment and sport
Spas and traditional massage
Meditation centres and retreats
Cultural hints
Outdoor activities
Gay Thailand
Travellers with disabilities
Travelling with kids
Directory
The Guide
1 Bangkok
Highlights
Arrival
Orientation and information
City transport
Accommodation
Ratanakosin
Banglamphu and the
Democracy Monument area
Chinatown and Pahurat
Thonburi
Dusit
Downtown Bangkok
Chatuchak andthe outskirts
Eating
Nightlife and entertainment
Shopping
Moving on from Bangkok
Listings
Travel details
……
Contexts
Language
Index+small print