Phuket Big Buddha - A Visit to the Landmark

The 45-meter-tall, white Big Buddha of Phuket stands on a hill overlooking the bay of Chalong. You can see it from many parts of the south, and for most tourists, a visit to Phuket’s Big Buddha is on the itinerary.

All Info for Visiting the Big Buddha in Phuket

The Big Buddha is not only an impressive temple complex but also one of the island’s most spectacular viewpoints. It’s included in several Phuket tours, but you can also visit it very easily on your own. You’ll find all the information you need for a visit to the Big Buddha in Phuket right here.

Accommodation in Phuket – Our Hotel Tip

The JonoX Phuket Karon Hotel is located just a few minutes’ walk from Karon Beach. It is a very new and modern hotel with a beautiful rooftop swimming pool. The rooms are equipped with all amenities, and there are also family rooms with an additional bunk bed (ideal for 4 people) available. Furthermore, a simple breakfast buffet is offered, and there is a small room with toys for children at the reception. A great starting point to explore Karon itself without a scooter or car.

Phuket offers a wide range of accommodations for various budgets. If JonoX doesn’t suit you, feel free to check out other hotels here. There will definitely be the right one for you.

Where Is the Big Buddha in Phuket Located?

Phuket’s Big Buddha is located in the southern part of Thailand’s largest island and can be seen from many areas there. It sits in Phuket’s mountains on Nakkerd Hill, which you reach from the Chalong area (see the next point).

How Do I Get to the Big Buddha?

Head to the southeast of Phuket, more specifically to Chalong. It almost doesn’t matter which direction you’re coming from, because in Chalong you’ll come to a large roundabout. Exit it to the north toward Wat Chalong/Tesco Lotus on Chao Fah Tawan Tok Road.

Watch for roads branching off to the left, because there’s an entrance with signs pointing you toward the Big Buddha. Then follow the winding road uphill for 5 kilometers. On your right, you’ll pass a few viewpoints where you can, of course, stop as well. At the end of the road, you’ll finally reach Phuket’s Big Buddha.

Phuket’s Big Buddha

Phuket’s Big Buddha, whose actual name is Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri and is also referred to in short as the Mingmonkol Buddha, is a 45-meter-tall marble statue. It’s one of Phuket’s landmarks, and construction began in 2004.

In 2009, the Big Buddha statue was completed, but work on the rest of the complex is still ongoing today. Besides the large statue, there are a few other things to discover on the temple grounds. In the entrance area, there’s a kind of exhibit about the history of Phuket’s Big Buddha, more Buddhist statues, and sometimes a monk is also present to bless visitors.

Via a staircase, which is flanked on each side by a Naga statue, you climb 94 steps up to the upper base where the Big Buddha sits. Up there, you’ll find other golden Buddha statues and can also visit the interior.

Before you head back down, by the way, you don’t return via the same stairsbut instead along the left side. Don’t miss the fantastic view over Chalong Bay, and be sure to take a look behind you as well.

Visiting Phuket’s Big Buddha is free of charge, by the way. It’s open roughly from 06.00 AM to 07.30 PM, but you can also come earlier for a great sunrise. Take your time exploring the rest of the grounds, because there are many more statues or altars with incense sticks that add to the overall atmosphere of the temple.

Rules of Conduct at the Big Buddha

Buddhism and Thai culture are shaped by respect, so of course you should follow the rules when visiting temples, including Phuket’s Big Buddha. This means your knees and shoulders should always be covered, and you shouldn’t wear tank tops, low-cut shirts, or shorts that are too short. It’s also a no-go to visit a temple shirtless.

Shoes are allowed in the outdoor area of the Big Buddha, but if you enter the interior, make sure to take them off beforehand. You can find more information about Buddhist etiquette and many more insights into Thailand’s main religion in the first part of our article series Religions in Southeast Asia.

The Area Around the Big Buddha in Phuket

Since the Big Buddha stands on a hill, you’ll get fantastic views of the surrounding area. But even on the way to the temple, there are a few stops along the roadside that you can make. There you’ll find bars or restaurants with additional views, for example, over the bay of Karon.

In addition, from the town of Chalong in Phuket, you have a great view of Nakkerd Hill with the Big Buddha in the distance. The atmosphere is especially dreamy at sunset, when the sun sets directly behind the hill of the Big Buddha.

Phuket: Tours and Tickets

Would you like to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Phuket in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Phuket.

How to Get to Phuket

There are many ways to get to Phuket, the most chosen one is the airplane. Phuket airport is approached by several airlines within Thailand, but also by flights from Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and more. All flights as well as duration, connections and prices are best compared on Skyscanner.

Furthermore, you can travel by bus from many different places in Thailand, such as Krabi, Bangkok, Khao Lak etc. or just take the boat to Phuket. There are e.g. ferries from Koh Phi Phi or Koh Yao Yai. You can find more bus and boat connections on 12go.asia. There you can also book tickets directly. A train to Phuket does currently not exist.

Have you visited the Big Buddha in Phuket yet, and how do you like the complex? Do you have any other tips about the Big Buddha? Leave us a comment.