During our Thailand stay here on Phuket, we’ve driven past the island’s landmark – the Big Buddha – several times. You can recognize it from a long distance, as this gigantic figure was built on a hill. Yesterday, however, we finally wanted to see it up close.

Getting to the Big Buddha on the island of Phuket

If you drive along the road towards Wat Chalong, the entrance to the Big Buddha is on the right. We had no trouble finding it, as it was signposted. After that, the paved road leads up the mountain, sometimes very steeply. You can also book such tours, but driving yourself is much cheaper and cooler. The tours are usually combined with elephant rides (not cool – those poor elephants) and a visit to Wat Chalong.

On the way to the Big Buddha, you’ll have fantastic views of large parts of the island at several points. So, be sure to stop here and there and let your gaze wander. That’s why we love Phuket so much: the green hills, the beautiful beaches, the great weather every day, and the friendly Thais.

Visiting the temple complex

Once you get to the top, you can relax and park your scooter or car for free. Then the tour begins, and you learn about Buddhism, monks, and their history. The entrance area is decorated with many figures, pictures, and other altars. The focus here is primarily on the Buddha’s past. You can also receive blessings from monks or meditate here.

The entire building was and still is financed with donations. It’s no wonder, then, that you’ll find donation boxes and other donation opportunities on every corner. For example, you can throw coins into small bowls placed in front of various figures.

You can also buy small marble tablets and write something on them. These will later be used to decorate parts of the building. Small, golden bells with messages inscribed on them also hung everywhere. You can probably buy these there as well and make your donation that way.

The Big Buddha Statue

The actual Buddha figure is 45 meters high and was only completed in 2008. The Buddha sits on a large pedestal and looks north toward China from Nakkerd Hill. The statue is quite impressive and should definitely be on your Phuket list.

But not only the statue is a highlight, but also the view from up here. In all directions, you have unobstructed views of the green hills of Phuket Island. You can also see some beautiful islands in the distance, such as the Panwa Peninsula, the island of Koh Lone, or the beautiful Chalong Bay with its many boats and ships.

There are numerous other figures and statues on the grounds. We’ve long since forgotten what they’re called and what they mean #philistines. When we were there, some monks were singing various melodies and songs and praying to their gods. This gave the whole atmosphere a mystical and mysterious feel.

It also suited this place and the whole ambiance. I find monks kind of creepy, I don’t know why. Probably because I used to find them terrifying in “Tomb Raider” :D, but they’re so calm, relaxed, and warm-hearted.

Food and Drink

If you get hungry or thirsty, you’ll find a few small stalls where you can take a short break and buy something. You’ll also find a few restaurants and cafés on the way up to the Big Buddha in Phuket, or on the way down. We were up there in the middle of the day, but we imagine you’d also have a great view at sunrise or sunset. It’s probably not as crowded then, and you might have some peace and quiet. Just give it a try.

Please remember to dress appropriately. You can also get free scarves and sarongs on site that you can wrap around your stomach or hang over your shoulders. In any case, you should respect the religion and under no circumstances dress too revealingly.

General information about the Big Buddha Phuket:

• Address: Yot Sane 1, Karon, Phuket (Town), Phuket83100, Thailand
• Opening hours: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Entrance: free
• Parking: free
• Drinks & Snacks: Available on site
• Towels/sarongs: Available free of charge on site
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor

The best travel guides

Want to learn more about Thailand so you’re well prepared for backpacking in Thailand? Then get Stefan Loose’s excellent Thailand travel guide. It contains almost 900 pages of information. Also recommended is Ferndurst’s book: 105 Reasons to Love Thailand. It’s a travel guide with heart-pounding moments and insider tips. We’ve also contributed a chapter. That’s why we’re all the more delighted if you get this book (e-book and print) for your trip to Thailand.

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