Big Buddha Temple in Pattaya (Wat Phra Yai) – Is it Worth Visiting?

Aside from its design and architectural features, the appeal of Wat Phra Yai is largely due to the fact that it happens to be perched atop a Pattaya hilltop known as Pratumnak Hill, which is known to locals as Khao Phra Bat. This is a popular viewpoint in Pattaya with some sweeping views.

Add to that the temple’s main feature—a huge golden Buddha that can be seen from miles away from its spot up on the hill–and the scenery takes on an entirely different perspective..

The hill itself is located somewhere between two of Pattaya’s main beaches—the central Pattaya Beach and the more southern and upmarket Jomtien Beach, which is just over one mile from this viewpoint. So let’s investigate more closely The Temple of the Big Buddha in the hope that it may help you decide if it’s worth visiting on a trip to Pattaya!

Main Features and Considerations in the Temple  

It might first be worth stating the obvious before we get into details—visiting the temple and viewing the Big Buddha image requires a climb up a flight of stairs. Unfortunately there are no lifts as such, and although the steps are not beyond the abilities of your average visitor they may prove more challenging for others.

There’s no road up there for motorbikes or Grab collections either, so it’s the stairs or nothing. But they are really not so challenging for anyone without mobility issues.

It’s also worth considering that this is an actual, working temple. This means visitors can expect to see monks, locals, and various rituals and ceremonies occurring fairly consistently. It can often get quite crowded in the mornings as locals come to offer alms and make merit (tam boon).

The Temple

The temple itself dates back to the 1940’s when Pattaya was still just a small and sleepy fishing village east of Bangkok with little to no development on the scale you see today. These days though it is home to one of the largest golden Buddha images in the region.

Like most temples in Thailand there are numerous statues and other types of Buddhist imagery positioned around the outdoor areas which you may see locals paying respects to in various ways. Of course the distinctly-Thai design and architecture—not to mention the attention to detail—never fails to impress visitors from across the globe.

If not actively involved in any of the temple proceedings, visitors are expected to keep a respectful distance (and volume) although they are welcome to visit and observe. Modest dress is also advisable, particularly for females, and it should cover the shoulders and knees. Many people will bring a shawl or sarong-type garment to cover their usual, more beach-oriented attire with.

Just don’t expect too much interaction from people who are busy with other matters as this temple isn’t a tourist spot in that respect.

The Big Buddha

Standing at an impressive 18 metres, or 59 feet in height, the golden statue was constructed in the 1970’s and is the largest in the province of Chonburi. (If you think that’s impressive though, by comparison the largest statue in Thailand in Ang Thong province is close to 100 metres high!.

As with the majority of elevated temples in Thailand this one features a stairway flanked by elaborately-colored mythical Naga serpents, and as this is an authentic, working temple no visitor fees are charged.  There are various donation boxes though, usually beside the monks who bless visitors as they enter at the top of the stairs.

To get the best views across the bay from this elevated point, visitors need to head out towards the back of the temple. The vantage point provides expansive views across the town, and there is a small park-type area containing other cultural items that can be investigated.

— Related: Beautiful Buddha Statues in Thailand You Must See

The Views from Pratumnak Hill/Khao Phra Bat 

If you like expansive and panoramic views across the beaches and bays of Pattaya this spot is definitely worth a stop-off. Also known as Khao Phra Bat, this top Pattaya viewpoint area is even better if you are appreciative of Buddha imagery.

The viewpoint is also a great opportunity to test your photographic skills and angles on the Big Buddha, with the best times to get up to the hill being sunrise and sunset for hard-core view-seekers.

Pratumnak Hill and its view is also wonderful to visit on the evening.

Getting to the Temple of the Big Buddha

1.      Taxis are a prominent feature in all tourist spots including the temple, and they will drop off and pick up along the street somewhere near to the main entrance. To be honest taxis and anyone on the lookout specifically for tourists are never going to be the best transport option as they are known to overcharge.

2.      Hiring a private driver and/or utilising one of the transportation apps like Grab and Bolt are undoubtedly the most reliable options right now and can sometimes be life-savers in Thailand. If you have downloaded the application and got used to the little nuances, something like Grab can easily turn out to be the best way to get around Pattaya, if not the entire country. Drivers will usually park near the entrance and wait along the street, often sending a message when they have arrived.

3.      Taking one of the other local transportation options like a songthaew will get you on to Beach Road near the Pattaya Tai intersection. At this point you’ll need to switch to another songthaew in order to get to Jomtien Beach, getting off at a point near the turn onto Thappraya Road after an underpass. After this disembarkment point you’ll have a steady, 15-minute or so wander uphill to get to the temple.

Wat Phra Yai opens daily between around 6.30 am until 10 pm.