Big Buddha Hill in Pattaya, Thailand: description, history, photos, how to get

One of the most iconic and memorable attractions in Pattaya is Buddha Hill. This is a kind of tribute from the Thais to the most revered deity of this region – the Buddha. Work on the creation of the attraction began in 1977, when local monks decided to start raising funds for the installation of a huge statue of the deity. They did not think about the choice of location for a long time, choosing the top of a 120-meter hill, which is clearly visible from anywhere in the city.

The result is a 15-meter statue made of concrete, which, thanks to an unusual coating, seems to be cast from the purest gold. It is not surprising that this place has become one of the centers of pilgrimage not only for Thais, but also for numerous tourists who are not indifferent to sights of this kind.

An intriguing legend

The statue from its very appearance “overgrown with legends.” According to one of them, the Big Buddha was made of pure gold, which took about five thousand tons. Since such an accumulation of precious metal, like a magnet, began to attract vandals and robbers, the monks decided to cover the statue with a layer of plaster.

As a result, the valuable contents of the Big Buddha were forgotten for some time, and the secret was revealed when the restoration of the statue was needed. Therefore, today the historical and “commercial” landmark is covered with a thick layer of bronze paint.

How to get there

So, how to get to such an interesting and unusual attraction? Buddha Hill is located between Thappraya Road and Pratamnak Road, so it can be reached by any means of transport or even on foot. The trip from the city center will take no more than 5-7 minutes. The cost of the trip, depending on the starting point, will be from 100 to 200 units of local currency.

The second option for quick access to the sights is to order an excursion with a transfer service. A visit to the Hill is included in many sightseeing tours of Pattaya. Therefore, it will not be difficult to find yourself in the composition of such a tourist group. In addition to the opportunity to be on a hill, tourists will receive a Russian-speaking guide who will enthusiastically tell you about many traditions, rituals and the history of the creation of a religious attraction.

If you prefer to hike, the easiest way is to be on the hill from Pratumnak Road. First, take the highway to central Pattaya, turn right at the fork and follow the slight rise past the Chinese temple.

Entrance to the hill is always free. But you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to make donations and offerings to the monks and their main religious idol.

History and rituals

The attraction consists of a complex of monuments of religious themes. But the central statue is the Big Buddha, who greets visitors with a blissful smile, sitting in the traditional “lotus position” for believers.

A huge staircase, consisting of 120 steps, leads to the sights. It is believed that the one who, during the ascent, counts all the steps correctly and never fails, has a complete order with the aura. This ritual is very popular, both among the local population and among tourists.

Another interesting ritual that every visitor to the attraction must go through is “cleansing the soul” and receiving a blessing. To the left of the stairs is a small building in which you need to make a donation, listen to a prayer and receive a talisman from the monk.

Well, for those who want to improve their karma, we recommend purchasing a cage with birds. According to legend, if you release imprisoned birds from a cage on top of a hill, then a person's karma will improve, and good luck will accompany him everywhere. At the same time, there are many skeptics of such a ritual, who argue that after a while the birds return back to the cage, to their owner.

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thai shrine

When all the necessary rituals are observed, you can go towards the main shrine of Pattaya. In addition to the main statue, tourists will be able to see other mythical creatures and religious idols of the Thais. Of course, the lion's share of all the statues are dedicated to the Buddha, who appears before tourists in various guises.

As for other mythical creatures, here you can see huge seven-headed snakes – nagas, who guard the stairs leading to the Buddha.

Rules and prohibitions

Do not forget that Buddha Hill is a religious place. Therefore, going here, you should carefully study the existing rules for visitors and the prohibitions that they may encounter. For example, it is forbidden to visit the shrine in short dresses, skirts and shorts, clothes with open arms and shoulders. If the monks notice such visitors at the hill, they have every right to deny them access to the religious complex.

Place for prayer

At the top of the hill you can see a small temple for prayer. Before entering the premises, you need to leave a donation to the monks, take off your shoes and stock up on flowers or aroma lamps. Before lighting the light bulbs, one should quietly turn to the Buddha, ask for his advice or ask for help in solving a problem. All the necessary products for the proper ceremony are sold in local souvenir shops.

Buddha days of the week

Of considerable interest to tourists are the statues of the main deity, which personify the days of the week, the vices of mankind and those good deeds that every representative of the human race must do in his life. Thais believe that each day of the week has its own Buddha – some are rich, others are poor, some are healthy and in good spirits, while others appear sick and deeply unhappy.

Moreover, each day of the week has its own color, which is revered by all Thais. They give preference to their color when buying outfits, arranging housing and be sure to wear a wedding outfit of the right shade. It is believed that this affects karma and determines the future fate of a person. For example, the current king has a yellow color, which is why this shade occupies a dominant position in all celebrations.

Buddha of wealth and the temple where wishes come true

There is also a Buddha statue on the observation deck, which is responsible for wealth and material well-being. It is not difficult to find it, because there are always a lot of tourists with cameras around. Instead of a navel, the statue has a hole into which everyone is trying to get a coin. It is believed that those who succeed in this will be accompanied by material luck, and they will soon be able to get rich.

And for those who have a cherished desire, we recommend visiting a temple with three statues of a deity. To make a wish come true, you need to make it in front of Buda and light a candle. Among European tourists there are quite a few who have already been given what they wished for more than anything else by the Thai shrine.

Observation deck

So that tourists can enjoy amazing views, there is an observation deck on the hill. It offers amazing landscapes of the Gulf of Thailand, the Pratumnak area and the famous Pattaya Park Hotel.

There is also a small canopy with footprints of the Buddha's feet, in front of which prayers are held.

Big Buddha Hill in Pattaya Video

Big Buddha Hill on the map