BIG BUDDHA HILL

About Big Buddha Hill

Located at Wat Phra Yai on Pratumnak Hill, the Big Buddha Hill combines an enormous golden Buddha image with an active Buddhist temple and panoramic views across Pattaya city, its expansive sandy beach, and the entire bay. Pick a clear day for taking the best photos because it can get very hazy sometimes.

The main attraction of Wat Phra Yai is the enormous golden seated Buddha known as Luang Pho Yai. This 18 metre tall figure is one of the largest Buddha images in Chonburi Province and can be seen from several parts of southern Pattaya.

Big Buddha Hill is not just a tourist attraction. Wat Phra Yai is an active temple and you will also find locals leaving donations, buying incense and candles and praying in front of the golden Buddha image.

How to get around Big Buddha Hill

You start from the carpark at the base of the temple grounds after being dropped of by the songthaew or taxi. From there, you reach the top terrace by walking up the long broad staircase decorated with golden seven-headed naga serpents. At the top is the golden Buddha image, Buddha footprints carved into a large stone where you can throw coins for good fortune, and a row of temple bells. There are also several other religious objects such as smaller shrines and ornamental statues around the grounds.

It's a fairly compact area, so you will only need to spend about an hour to see everything. 
Quiet respect, not disturbing worshippers, and not touching or climbing on religious objects is expected.

What To Wear

The hill-top terrace area is fairly exposed to the environment, using sun protection is recommended.

Wat Phra Yai and the surrounding grounds is a temple. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Avoid singlets, revealing tops, very short shorts and beachwear. Remove your hat when approaching important shrines and take off your shoes before entering any temple building where footwear is prohibited.

Opening Times and Entry Fees

There are no entry fees, but a small contribution in the donation box at the temple would be a nice gesture. Opening times are normally 6:30 am to 5:00 pm daily, although hours can change for religious observances

Where is Big Buddha Hill and How to Get There ?

See below for the interactive map showing the exact location, and directions on how to get to Big Buddha Hill. This attraction is in the southern Pattaya city area, next to the posh Pratumnak district, and is easy to reach.

Big Buddha Hill is a very popular destination for tourists and locals, you will see a continuous stream of traffic winding all the way up and down the hill. Simply take one of the Big Buddha Hill songthaews packed with tourists from the street level at the nearby town area. For the return trip, you will find waiting songthaews at the temple carpark. The driver will wait until its full of people before departing.
The address is 384 Regent Soi 2, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri.
See the interactive map below for exact location.