Big Buddha is one of Phuket’s most revered landmarks. Layered with beautiful white Burmese marble and standing atop the Nakkerd Hills (just in-between Kata and Chalong) at a whopping 45 metres high it is also pretty easily seen from a distance. During a scooter tour of Phuket, I saw the statue and decided that the unique looking object in the distance deserved a much more thorough inspection, and so I rode up the twists and turns of the scenic hills to give it a closer look.
During the time of my visiting, the Big Buddha was undergoing quite a bit of construction. However, as annoying as it was that the scaffolding stood in the way of getting uninterrupted photos, it remained a peaceful site with the noise of bells chiming gently in the breeze and the quiet chatter of tourists as they gazed upon the views, being the only sounds to break the silence.
Whilst the scaffolding was a photographers pain, it didn’t complete obstruct the views and in front of the 25 metre base that sits beneath Buddha, or Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha if you’d like to use the full name(!) is an open space offering the most amazing 360º view.
The Buddha is an impressive sight, and when combined with its serene surroundings and incredible views of Phuket’s towns and coastlines… It’s absolutely breathtaking. It’s easy to see why this location inspired the Big Buddha—as the people who created it wanted to build something that would be a landmark for the island and a place of worship for Buddhists. The Big Buddha is a symbol of peace and tranquility, and it is a reminder of the importance of Buddhism in Thai culture. It is a popular place for people to come to pray, meditate, and enjoy the views.
Side note: As with all Buddhist sites, please ensure when going to visit that you are dressed appropriately, however if you find yourself caught in shorts don’t panic as you can rent sarongs for 20฿ from the entrance.
