The Big Buddha on Phuket towers high above the island like a quiet, gentle giant. You can see it from many kilometers away. And of course, as a newbie to Phuket you think to yourself: We definitely have to go there! This is what happened to me on my first trip to the adventurous island in Thailand. What distinguishes the huge statue? Is a visit to the Big Buddha on Phuket worth it? And what do you absolutely have to pay attention to? I have put together my personal experiences and helpful tips for your visit to this impressive monument.

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The large, white Buddha, perched high on a mountain, is one of the first Sights on Phuketthat caught my eye at all. How could he not? You can see it from practically anywhere. No matter where you are on the island, on a clear day you'll see the white marble stature in the distance on Nakkerd Hill - or nearby. If it's your first time in Phuket, this monument really makes an impression. And for us Europeans, the Big Buddha does that Destination even more exotic.

I immediately knew that I wanted to see the religious landmark not only from afar, but also up close. And so we set off on the way to the Big Buddha Phuket made that you can reach from two directions. But be aware – the path is difficult.

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Video – Drone flight at Big Buddha Phuket

If you prefer videos to text, I have something special for you: a drone video of the Big Buddha on Phuket. Since many of my readers are on the Travel Blog If you come from other European countries and are not German-speaking, the video is in English. This language is understood worldwide, which makes the video accessible to a large portion of my readership.

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My experiences with the Big Buddha on Phuket

I have now been to this unique monument several times, which seems incredibly strange to us in the Western world. The Big Buddha is a religious statement and at the same time a real work of art that you can hardly get enough of.

I was really impressed by the Big Buddha - I've seen a lot of temples in my life, but I've never seen anything like this before. Such a huge statue that is 45 meters high. It is truly breathtaking when you stand right in front of it.

And not only that: you can also go inside. Buddhist monks await you there, holding their masses and meditating there. This motivated me to meditate myself. When I was at the Big Buddha, the large statue really inspired and captivated me. I will definitely come here more often – because of this one Place is made for inner contemplation and to find your way back to yourself.

An incredible view all around

When you reach the top, you will discover breathtaking views over the large bays. From up here, Phuket looks so small - and the distances seem so short. Directly in front of the Big Buddha is Chalong Bay - and on a clear day you can even see as far as Phang Nga Bay, which is many kilometers northeast of Phuket. If you walk a few steps west and climb a short flight of stairs, you will reach a terrace from which you have a beautiful view of Kata Bay and Kata Noi Bay.

You might even recognize Promthep Cape or the Nai Harn Windmill, the southern end of Phuket. The best place to see the third bay is actually to take a break at the restaurant along the way. From up there you have a wonderful panorama of Karon Beach. If you like panoramic views, you will definitely love the XNUMX ​​degree view at Big Buddha.

Dress reverently and respectfully

When visiting the Big Buddha in Phuket, it is important to dress appropriately to show respect for this sacred place. Beachwear, short skirts or shorts are not appropriate here as they are considered disrespectful to the religious significance of the place. T-shirts with offensive text or images should also be avoided. Instead, it is advisable to choose inconspicuous and respectful clothing.

If you feel like your clothing is perhaps a little too daring, there is a simple solution at the entrance center: Here you can rent a sarong for free to cover yourself appropriately. This measure helps respect Thailand's cultural and religious traditions and contributes to a harmonious experience for all visitors.

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Why is the Big Buddha of Phuket so special?

The Big Buddha of Phuket really deserves its name. It is not only the largest statue of its kind in Thailand, but one of the largest Buddha sculptures in the world. BB has an impressive height of 45 meters and a base width of 25 meters. Its white marble structure - a reinforced concrete structure covered with white jade marble from Myanmar - glows brilliantly when exposed to sunlight and is visible from many points on the island. Construction began in 2004 and was financed primarily through donations.

As a symbol of peace, hope and the preservation of the Buddhist faith, the Big Buddha has deep symbolic meaning. Perched atop Nakkerd Hill near Chalong, it offers 360-degree views across the island - including the Andaman Sea and Phuket Town. The Big Buddha is an important religious place of worship and meditation that offers an atmosphere of peace and contemplation. It is also, of course, an attraction for tourists.

Video – Full tour of the Big Buddha

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Directions to the Big Buddha

You can get to the Big Buddha by rental car or scooter from Chalong - and only from there. I remembered that there is also a path from Kata to the Big Buddha, but that is not true. A hiking trail leads from Kata to the BB, which would certainly also be an option for active and adventurous people - especially since the road from Kata to Chalong is very busy and not particularly fun on a scooter.

To get from Chalong to the Big Buddha on Phuket, follow the road towards Wat Chalong. On the right you will find the well-signposted entrance to the Big Buddha. From there an asphalted and sometimes very steep road leads up the mountain to the Big Buddha. If you come from the direction of Rawai, you can turn off earlier.

On this last route you have the opportunity to stop at various points and enjoy the view of large parts of the island. The most beautiful is the Kata View Point, where I sat down to meditate because it was so quiet and graceful. The sections of the route with the view points give you a wonderful view of the green hilly landscape, the lively towns and the paradisiacal beaches of Phuket.

Map – How to get to the Big Buddha

Below I have included a map where you can clearly see the location of the Big Buddha on Phuket. You can see very clearly where the hiking trail begins in Karon and where the road to the BB begins in Chalong.

Information for your visit to the Big Buddha Phuket

• Address: Yot Sane 1, Karon, Phuket Town, Phuket83100, Thailand
• Opening hours: daily from 08:00 a.m. to 19:30 p.m
• Admission: free
• Parking: free
• Drinks & Snacks: available on site
• Shawls and sarongs: available free of charge on site
• Rating: 4,5 out of 5 points on TripAdvisor – Winner of the Travelers Choice Awards – 4,6 out of 5 stars on Google

In-depth reading for further reading

• Big Buddha of Phuket – Wikipedia
• The Big Buddha of Phuket – Climb to the famous Big Buddha of Phuket – Phuket 101
• Big Buddha Phuket – big Buddha temple of Phuket – Travel Gurus

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Big Buddha Phuket – is it worth visiting?

A visit to the Big Buddha on Phuket is definitely worth it. The statue is a landmark with a profound meaning and perhaps the symbol of Phuket. If you visit the island, a visit to the Big Buddha is definitely a must.

The contemplative, mystical and religious atmosphere will immediately infect you - and immediately inspired me to meditate there. As if the 45 meter high marble statue wasn't impressive enough, there is also a smaller, golden Buddha right next to it.

You can experience Buddhism in Thailand up close at the Big Buddha on Phuket. And at the same time, enjoy the wonderful views of Karon and Chalong - because the Buddha is enthroned high up on a mountain. And just as you can see it from almost anywhere on Phuket from below, you can also see almost the entire island from up here.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Big Buddha on Phuket and can highly recommend that you take a detour to this unique monument during your trip to the adventurous island.

Have you already been to Phuket or Thailand and visited Buddhist temples and statues there? Where did you like it best? Or are you currently planning your trip? Share your experiences in the comments.