The Big Buddha statue is truly the calling card of the Thai island of Phuket. I had heard about this landmark long before I ever visited the island myself. Naturally, when I found myself in Phuket for the first time, I decided to see this colossal figure. Online sources mentioned that the area around the statue might sometimes be closed to visitors, but I figured that since I was already here, I absolutely had to climb to the top of the hill and see this unusual site for myself.
Climbing to the Big Buddha
The 45-meter-tall Buddha statue is located atop a hill in the southern part of the island. You can reach the monument either by transport or on foot. I chose to walk, as it seemed like the most interesting option. My route started from a hotel near Kata Beach. I made my way to Patak Soi 12 and followed that street towards the hills. You can plan your walk using Google Maps. Along the way, there are several signs pointing the direction, so it’s not easy to get lost.
The statue is made of white marble and can be seen from many points on the island. The Buddha’s face is turned southeast, facing Chalong Bay. As mentioned above, the statue stands 45 meters tall, making it the third tallest Buddha statue in Thailand.
The monument was built using donations from locals and tourists. The construction of the massive statue took seven years, from 2007 to 2014.
The walking route to the statue is very scenic: as you climb, you’ll be rewarded with increasingly beautiful views of the island’s bays. However, keep in mind that if you choose to hike up, the path might not be the easiest for unprepared travelers — a significant portion of the route runs along a rough trail with ropes installed to help visitors ascend the steepest sections.
During my climb, the temperature rose above 30°C (86°F), so it's a good idea to bring extra water, although you can also buy some along the way. I came across a couple of drink stands: the first was a tiny stall selling water and sugary sodas right in the middle of the trail; the second was a small café along the paved road to the Buddha, where you could feed rabbits or grab a drink.
As I had expected, access to the statue itself was closed. According to locals, this is due to ongoing work to reinforce the foundation of the massive monument. Still, visitors can view the Big Buddha from behind or from the left side. The area around the statue features a viewing platform with excellent panoramic views of the island. There's also a small café offering drinks. Persistent monkeys often approach tourists relaxing at the viewpoint — so be cautious around them.
If you hiked up to the statue, you might want to take a car back down. The island has several taxi apps — I used Bolt.
In my next and final article about my trip to the island, I’ll tell you about the Suwan Khiri Khet Temple.
Have a nice trip!
