Phuket’s finest viewpoint at the “Big Buddha”
Phuket’s Big Buddha promises fine views over the island and lots of atmosphere for pilgrims and tourists alike
High atop the Nakkerd Hills, northwest of Chalong circle and visible from half of the island, the 45m-high Big Buddha sits grandly on Phuket’s finest viewpoint. Though it’s a tad touristy, tinkling bells and flapping flags give this space an energetic pulse. Pay your respects at the tented golden shrine, then step up to Big Buddha’s glorious plateau, where you can peer into Kata’s perfect bay, glimpse the shimmering Karon strand and, to the southeast, survey the pebble-sized channel islands of Chalong Bay, writes Lonely Planet.
So if you are in Phuket but have not yet visited the Big Buddha, you have not really “arrived” on the island, according to an old Thai saying. The construction is currently about 80 percent complete.
It’s also one of the top posts for Phuket on TripAdvisor.
megang989 from Auckland, New Zealand writes: “We took a taxi from Patong Beach and our driver waited for us then drove us to other sites we wanted to visit. We were able to negotiate a price with him and found it much cheaper than doing an organized tour.
“The Buddha is indeed very big and there is a large set of steps to walk up to get to the foot of the statue. The view from the top is beautiful on a clear day.
“There are many things to see once at the statue. Take your time to look around and take in the beauty of the Buddha as well as the view of the island. We bought a small square of marble and signed our names on it, which will be added to the construction of the Buddha. I thought this was a great way to remember our visit to Phuket and also make a contribution.”
J. Zangmo L from Hong Kong, China says: “It’s on the top of Phuket, you can enjoy a great sea view here and also you can make some offering to help with their decades’ long constructions. There is a monk inside the temple to give you blessing. Peaceful.”
“The drive up to the Big Buddha is fantastic with great views and up the winding hill. Once you get to the Buddha there are 97 steps to climb but the experience is great, no effect on the climb as the view is just exotic. So don’t get scared of the climb. You can take some nice pictures from here. Climbing back down was on another route, on which the steps were much narrower. Don’t use the toilet. Buy a tender coconut on your way back, very refreshing,” writes SASSYSUES from Melbourne, Australia.
SylentScreamer from Dubai, United Arab Emirates writes: “Loved my visit to the Big Buddha. I just loved taking pictures from all the angles I could. The view was magnificent once your reach the top.
Big Buddha is on top of Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and, at 45 metres tall, can be seen from as far away as Phuket Town and Karon Beach. Reaching the spot is relatively easy from the Karon view point.
“The atmosphere is very peaceful, the only sounds to hear being the tinkling of small bells and the fluttering of yellow Buddhist flags in the compound, with soft background dharma music.”