The best viewpoints on Phi Phi Island - viewpoints 1, 2 and 3
The landscapes that open to tourists on these viewing platforms are the same calling card of Phi Phi Don, as are the photographs of the charming Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le. These are not the only viewpoints on Phi Phi Don. According to Google Maps, Maps Me or Osmond, there are many viewpoints on the island, but their quality is poor. I selectively visited two points with MapsMe and made sure that the first one is just a hill surrounded by forest, from which «so-so» I can see something, but I couldn't find the second one at all. So I will tell you about 3 main popular viewpoints, which are located on one side of the mountain and you can visit all three at once, within a few hours. Another question is whether this is necessary, and I will answer it, but first look at the pictures and my personal impressions.
The content of the article
Viewpoints at Phi Phi
Viewpoints are numbered 1,2,3 and are located near Phi Phi Town. It makes sense to climb here both during the day and at sunset. During the day there will be an excellent view of Phi Phi Town and the beaches on both sides of the isthmus: Tong Sai and Lo Dalum. And during sunset, you can watch the beautiful sky because all lookouts are facing west. True, the sun does not set in the sea, but behind the mountain, but this does not make the sunsets less colorful and exciting..
There are two paths leading to the lookouts: a short, but constantly uphill, concrete staircase, and a flat dirt road, but three times longer. If the goal in itself is to visit all three points, then it is better to go from the first (lower) to the third (at the top). The start of the short road is at Lo Da Lum Beach, where you will find a bunch of signs to keep you from getting lost.
Viewpoint 3 (Trine Jungle House)
I went both ways, but like all real heroes, for the ascent I chose the bypass path and went along the long road - I was interested to see what kind of hiking awaits tourists there. And he passed all the viewpoints from top to bottom, after which he went down to Phi Phi Town along a short road. That is why I have daytime shots on the third viewpoint, and only sunset shots on the first. And that is why I decided to post them not in the order of numbers, but in the order of visiting.
Viewpoint 3 is located next to the radio tower and is a panoramic terrace. Even though Viewpoint 3 is taller than the rest, the tall treetops have an average view. That is, a lot of sky, a beautiful horizon, but a very cropped bottom, where instead of the sea you get curly jungle tops. I repeat: the plus of this point is that, unlike the lower observation decks, Viewpoint 3 has an almost panoramic view.
Here you can also have a full meal of Thai cuisine. The price tag in the cafe is overpriced in comparison with the island prices, but no one pursues people with their drinks, although we must pay tribute - the entrance to the observation room is free, and buying at least a can of cola from them will be humanly correct. There is a canopy with a swing adjacent to the main bar building, and there is a lot of open space on the site itself, so it's better to hide from the sun under the shade of a tree. If you forgot to buy water or you run out of water - buy in white plastic bottles - it is the tastiest.
Turn to the left at 2 and 1 viewpoint, I pass by at the 3rd
Phi Phi, Viewpoint 3 Trine Jungle House
Viewpoint 2 (Phi Phi Viewpoint)
You can get to the second viewpoint by going down the trail from the third - just follow the signs, it is impossible to get confused there. At the end of the trail you find a very beautiful place and a large pile of stones - this is Viewpoint-2. From below it looks not so fantastic, but as soon as you climb these stones (the path is located on the left, bypassing), you are speechless - a magnificent landscape from films about pirates and treasure island. Closer to sunset, a large number of people gather here and all the stones are occupied, so it is better to come an hour early and get to the best places. But I warn you right away - it will be a hot hour.
Due to the crowds, it is not always possible to get high from the viewpoint, as it might be if you got to such a place alone. Moreover, the audience is mostly young people, with blurred boundaries of personal space. They talk loudly, shock, bring portable turntables with shitty tracks and turn them on louder at sunset. The Chinese are shouting louder than youths and tambourines, constantly jumping and moving along the rocks, in general - my life hack for you: bring a half-ruble of water and headphones with you. With this set, you will get maximum comfort at the second viewpoint, which I boldly call the best of the three..
We go down to the sign, after walking along the path, we will see a sign about the paid entrance
Phi Phi viewpoint number 2
This is the main viewpoint on Phi Phi.
Sunset at Phi Phi Viewpoint # 2
Viewpoint 1 (I love Phi Phi)
The long path to the first viewpoint through the jungle is not interesting: just a concrete road that slowly climbs the mountain, then turns into a dirt road, and you walk through the jungle for a long time. This is how I walked. Therefore, if the third viewpoint is not needed, then it is better not to walk along the long path..
People say that in the jungle you can see flocks of monkeys, but they don't come close, but I never met them at all. And in the depths of the jungle, in the middle of the mountain, you come across a fork along which you have to go down to the viewpoint, which is pointless - along the short path you will get faster and easier.
A short way up the concrete stairs: you pass cafes, hotels and look for the stairs to the top. Can serve as a guide Papaya Phi Phi Resort (look at the link where it is located), then go along the stairs until you run into a sign about the paid entrance.
The territory of Observation Deck No. 1 has been beautifully ennobled, obviously the landscape master has worked: a mowed lawn, beautifully laid out stones, huge letters from which the phrase is formed «I love Phi Phi», some other figures - in short, everything is very civilized. Mini-park as Thais like to do. Nice corner for selfies. From the lower viewpoint, the view is not yet spectacular enough, so I highly recommend climbing the second.
Going down from the second lookout to the first
Observation deck number 1 on the Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi, Viewpoint 1
Walking down the concrete stairs, looking back
Information to visit
The entrance to Viewpoint-3 is free, because there is a site only inside the bar and the prices of drinks already include your presence, as you understand - everything is expensive. Viewpoint-1 and Viewpoint-2 cost 30 baht each, they are located on the territory of Phi Phi Banana Resort (I will not recommend it - a viper with bugs). Near each of the viewpoints there are cafes with drinks and places for collecting garbage, they are very sensitive to this and threaten with considerable fines for a pigsty. Viewpoint 3 still cooks Thai food, and alcohol is prohibited at all three points - such as Muslim territory., «haram» - there are actually signs hanging with a warning that there will be a fine for booze.
The ascent along the short path to Viewpoint-1 takes 5-10 minutes, the same amount will go to Viewpoint-2 and the same amount to Viewpoint-3. This is if you do not stop and rest. From the very bottom, you can walk to Viewpoint 3 in half an hour. If you stop, it will take longer. The long journey takes half an hour to Viewpoint 2. You can reach Viewpoint 3 in 35-40 minutes maximum. Keep in mind that there are many paths on the long road in the jungle and the signs on them closer to the viewpoints start to get confused. On the fingers, you can explain for a long time where and how to go specifically, but it is better to look at the map below, all the paths are drawn there and it will be much clearer for you.
Summarizing my experience of visiting, I can say with confidence that the best view is on the second one, this is its advantage. The disadvantage of the second viewpoint is that it is crowded, reaching the point of absurdity. On the first and third viewing platforms, the view is worse, but more comfort and significantly fewer people. It is easier to climb to the first and after sunset you have time to return before dark, from the second you descend already at dusk, and from the third it is most difficult to leave after sunset - it is too dark.
On the map
Phi Phi Don Viewpoints
Viewpoint 1 (I love Phi Phi):
Viewpoint 2 (Top View):
Viewpoint 3 (Trine Jungle House):
Viewpoint NoName:
Main fork:
The beginning of a long way to viewpoints .:
Turn to viewpoints:
Start of the short road to viewpoints: