Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai)

วัดพระใหญ่

An 18-meter golden Buddha on a hill in South Pattaya. The temple, built in the 1940s, is Pattaya's oldest. Climbing the dragon-lined staircase to the top gives a view over the bay.

Big Buddha Hill lies on Pratumnak Hill, southeast of the Walking Street. The temple at the summit, Wat Phra Yai (meaning Big Buddha Temple), was built in the 1940s and is Pattaya's oldest. The golden seated Buddha at the top is about 18 meters tall and was built in 1977. It is the largest Buddha statue in central Pattaya and a landmark visible from afar. A wide staircase with seven-headed naga (dragon) railings leads from the foot of the hill to the top. Around the main statue is a ring of smaller Buddha images representing the guardian Buddhas of the seven days of the week. Locals offer flowers and apply gold leaf to the image corresponding to their day of birth. Monks inside the temple sprinkle holy water on visitors to bless them, and donations are welcome. The summit platform looks out over Pattaya Bay and the city toward the Walking Street, and it is a great place to photograph the sunset in the evening. Admission is free. From Big Buddha Hill, it is a 10-minute walk west to the Pattaya Viewpoint on Pratumnak Hill, which offers a view of the whole crescent-shaped bay and the PATTAYA CITY sign. It is the most classic panoramic photo spot in Pattaya, and together with Big Buddha Hill it forms a one-hour walking route. Below, the Pratumnak area also has small beaches such as Cozy Beach. Suggested plan: arrive at Big Buddha Hill at 5 pm to pay respects, walk to the viewpoint to wait for sunset, and then go down the hill to the Walking Street for dinner. Getting there: from the Bali Hai Pier at the end of the South Pattaya Walking Street, take a motorbike taxi for about 5 minutes (about 40 to 60 baht), or take a songthaew from the beach road to the Pratumnak junction and walk about 15 minutes uphill. Note: wear long trousers or a skirt that covers the knees and a top with sleeves. Remove shoes before entering the temple hall. Monkeys on the summit may grab food and sunglasses. The steps are steep, so wear non-slip shoes.

Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai)

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