Big Buddha Phuket
Big Buddha of Phuket on top of Nakkerd Hill near Kata Beach is one of the island’s latest attractions. The image is one of the tallest in the country.
The viewpoint offers amazing views of Phuket and the Andaman Sea.
The easiest way to see Big Buddha is to take an Island & City Tour.
Naga stairs
On top of Nakkerd Hill is the entrance gate to “Mount Nakkerd Buddha Garden Phuket”. A flight of stairs lined with the body of a ferocious looking Naga snake leads to Big Buddha.
45 Meter tall Buddha image
Reaching a height of 45 meters and a width of 25 meters, Big Buddha Phuket is one of the tallest Buddha images in Thailand. The official name of the image is Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Akenakiri, which translates to “The glorious honorable Buddha on top of Naga Hill”.
Sitting on top of Nakkerd Hill (Naga Hill) in the interior of Phuket, Big Buddha can be seen from many places on the island. The all white image of the Buddha in the Calling the Earth to witness posture faces Chalong Bay in the East.
Completed in 2014, the image is made out of reinforced concrete adorned with white Burmese jade marble.
Marble tile with your name
Big Buddha was built mainly from donations. Buddhist people donate money as a way of making merit. If you want, you can buy a marble tile and sign your name on it for 100 Baht. The tile will be enclosed inside the image.
Panoramic views of Phuket
Around the image is a viewing terrace with tables and chairs. Palm trees provide shade.
From the viewpoint you have panoramic views of the South part of Phuket with amazing views of sites like Makham Bay, Chalong Bay, Promthep Cape and Kata beach as well as the Andaman Sea and several islands like Thanan island, Lon island and Coral island.
Be careful with the monkeys that hang out around the platform, do not feed or touch them.
Around the image
Walking around Big Buddha you will come across statues of monks, mythical creatures and former Thai Kings.
Other Buddha images
Next to the Big Buddha is a much smaller golden Buddha image. When you walk around the platform you will find Buddha images in various postures as well as statues of monks.
Erawan & Garuda
On the platform you will also find Garuda, a bird from Buddhist and Hindu mythology and Erawan, the three headed elephant that carries the Hindu deity Indra.
Statues of Thai Kings
Also on the platform statues of famous Kings from Thai history like King Naresuan the Great and King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V).
The Earth Mother
Another statue depicts Phra Mae Thorani, the Earth Mother, wringing water out of her hair. When the Buddha was meditating under the Bodhi tree, he was attacked by Mara, the evil one. Phra Mae Thorani, depicted as a young attractive woman, wrung out water out of her long hair, thus floating away Mara’s army.
The Sala of Faiths
The Sala of Faiths houses statues of Gods and deities from various religions. Among them are Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy with a thousand arms and Ganesha, the Hindu deity with an elephant head.
Give offerings to monks
In a hall where monks sometimes chant you can give offerings to a monk if you like. Put some money into a donation box and receive a monks’ blessing and a bracelet.
Food & drinks
On the grounds are stands where you can get food, drinks, snacks and souvenirs.
Dress code
As this is a Buddhist site, please dress appropriately, meaning no revealing clothes.
Opening hours
Big Buddha Phuket opens daily from 6 am until 7 pm. It can get busy, particularly on Buddhist holidays. Go there early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Location
Big Buddha is located at Yot Sane 1 Chaofa Road (West) in the Chalong area of Phuket.
The image stands on top of Nakkerd Hill in the interior of the island a few kilometers East of Kata beach, 16 kilometers from Phuket Town and 20 kilometers from Patong beach.
How to get there
Hire a taxi from one of the beach resorts to get to Big Buddha. A few hours should cost about 1,500 Baht including waiting time. Agree on price and duration before getting in.
If you want to visit a few other sites, book a half day or full day island sightseeing tour.
Entrance fee
Entrance is free.
More Phuket attractions:
Attractions in Phuket
Phuket Island & City Tours
- Private or group tour
- Full day or half day
- English, German, Spanish or French speaking guide