Tips for Visiting the Big Buddha in Phuket Thailand

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Ten years ago, work on Phuket’s Big Buddha began as a labor of love, with an estimated total cost of 30 million Baht ($850,000) upon completion. Today, it stands as a revered monument, attracting both locals and tourists. Every day, over 1,000 people make the 6 km journey up the mountain to see the massive Buddha, which remains a work in progress. The project takes time due to its vast scale and reliance solely on donations for funding.

Table of Contents

• Phuket’s Big Buddha
• 360° and Beyond
• Kata Bay and Kata Noi Bay
• The Three Wise Monkeys
• The Nature of a Monk
• Beneath Big Buddha
• Opening Hours
• What to Wear
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Phuket’s Big Buddha

The Big Buddha stands on a reinforced concrete foundation, built to endure weather and time. Burmese white jade marble covers this solid structure, adding elegance and creating a radiant effect as it catches sunlight throughout the day. The statue, peacefully seated, sits elevated on a mount visible from miles around. High on the hill, it serves as a calm beacon for travelers on land and at sea, offering a spiritual presence against the lively backdrop of the island.

TIP: The hill is not very wide, a wide-angle lens will be best to capture the Buddha.

A smaller Buddha statue, cast in brilliant gold from 22 tons of brass, stands nearby to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, symbolizing the respect and reverence she inspires. In contrast, the towering Big Buddha is dedicated to His Majesty King Bhumibol, embodying his lasting legacy and profound bond with the Thai people. Together, these statues create a tribute to Thailand’s monarchy, seamlessly blending cultural symbolism with the spirituality that fills the site.

360°and Beyond

Perched atop the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata, Phuket’s Big Buddha stands as one of the island’s most cherished and visible landmarks. At an impressive 150 feet in height, it watches over the landscape, visible from multiple vantage points across Phuket, as well as from the surrounding waters.

From the Buddha’s elevated position, visitors can take in stunning 360-degree views of Phuket’s natural beauty. This includes panoramic vistas of lush beaches, scenic landscapes, and the island’s three main bays. Directly below lies Chalong Bay, while Phang Nga Bay stretches into the distance—visible on a clear day when the skies are unobstructed. The breathtaking scenery makes it an ideal spot for visitors to soak in Phuket’s charm from a perspective that reveals the full expanse of the island’s beauty.

Kata Bay and Kata Noi Bay

Take a few steps around the Buddha and up a short staircase to a terrace where you’ll get a great view of Kata Bay and Kata Noi Bay. You might even recognize Promthep Cape and the Nai Harn Windmill.

The best spot to see the third bay from the air is actually from the restaurant on the way up. There, you’ll be able to see the pristine sands of Karon Bay and many of its’ beautiful resorts. The best place to see the beach PERIOD is by standing on it.

The Three Wise Monkeys

The popular representation of the “three wise monkeys” comes from a 17th-century carving over a door of the famous Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan. However, the idea itself was most likely brought there by Chinese Buddhists.

“Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety”. 

Whether you prefer the long or abbreviated version, it is a very good way to live your life.

The tinkle of small bells can be heard blowing in the warm breeze. You can purchase a bell as a souvenir or string it along with the others under the Buddha for remembrance, similar to the Love Locks found on permanent monuments worldwide.

The Nature of a Monk

All are welcome to receive a blessing from the monks. You receive a piece of fruit and a bracelet made of twine to wear. My husband and I have lively discussions about why someone who isn’t Buddhist would try to be blessed. We disagree that it’s a contrary practice. I think it’s a way to understand your surroundings. Neither teaching contradicts how we should behave towards our fellow man. I find the mountains a good source of positivity, and I look for blessings wherever I can. As I learned from Wat Chalong, even the Buddhist Monks will fight if they feel it’s appropriate. But for the most part, all the Buddhists I’ve met in Thailand seem at peace with the little (compared to Americans) that they have.

Do you agree or disagree?

There are many spots to take in the surroundings as well as the large golden footprint said to belong to Buddha himself.

Beneath Big Buddha

You can really see that there is a lot of construction going on. There is also some respite from the 90-degree weather up top in the cool underpinnings of the massive Buddha, where there is a place to pray, some altars, and literature about the statue and its relevance in Buddhist theology.

Opening Hours

From 08:00 – 19:30. If you want to catch the sunset from one of Thailand’s best spots, try to be there before 18:30.

What to Wear

The weather is generally hot, so dress with care. Avoid beachwear, short skirts, tank tops, and T-shirts with offensive text or images. Prepare to remove your shoes if you wish to enter the temple. If you feel underdressed for a religious site, ask for a sarong, though one will likely be offered at the entrance. Sarongs are free to use, but donations are appreciated.

The road to the Big Buddha is off Chao Fa Road East near Chalong. There are many red-and-white signs indicating where it is. Turn down Soi Yodsane and follow the indications for the next six kilometers up the hill. You can’t miss it.

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