Big Buddha on Samui (Samui, Thailand) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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Most Thais profess Buddhism: throughout the country you can see many places of worship, temples and other places of worship built by adherents of this religion. No exception and marvelous Koh Samui, where in a relatively compact area there are a lot of attractions related to Buddhism. But, probably, one of the largest is a huge gilded statue of a deity, which is called “Big Buddha” due to its size. Its height reaches, for a moment, as much as 12 m. The pose of the huge statue is quite traditional: Buddha is depicted sitting in the lotus position.
This, without exaggeration, is a monumental structure located on Fan Island, which is connected to Samui by a narrow strip of land. By the way, this giant can be seen from the window of an airplane that is preparing to land on the island. Local residents reverence this place and treat it with reverent awe. Big Buddha is a unique symbol of Samui, and for crowds of tourists it is one of the important attractions that should definitely be included in your travel itinerary.
Local residents reverence this place and treat it with reverent awe. Big Buddha is a unique symbol of the island, and for crowds of tourists it is one of the important attractions.
The Big Buddha statue was erected in 1972, and from that moment the inhabitants of the island count down the beginning of an era of prosperity. It is believed that as soon as the monument was built, the island was taken under the protection of unearthly beings. And since then, sunny and carefree Samui has avoided all troubles and sorrows. Those who want to get closer to the Big Buddha statue will need to climb a rather long staircase of 60 steps, after removing their shoes. These are the local customs. Those who climb the stairs will not only be able to see the monument up close, but will also enjoy a wonderful view of the beautiful azure sea spaces and picturesque shores.
The statue is made with many interesting details that can be studied for a long time. Not far from the Big Buddha there is a Buddhist temple. In addition, there is a market where anyone can buy beautiful and skillfully made traditional clothes of the local people. Or, of course, a miniature copy of Big Buddha.
Address: exact address It’s not common on Samui - it’s easier to get to all the attractions using landmarks, and Big Buddha is no exception. The statue is located 10-15 minutes from Maenam beach, on Fan Island. Finding the sculpture is not difficult - it is visible from afar.
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One of the main attractions of Koh Samui is the huge 12-meter statue of the Big Buddha, which sits on the top of Fan Island in the lotus position. This statue can be seen from anywhere in Koh Samui. Big Buddha, in addition to its enormous size, is also covered in gold and was built in 1972.
When visiting Big Buddha, it seems that it is separated from the main island only by a gate, but in fact Big Buddha is located on a separate small island of Fan, which the locals connected by a dirt road to Koh Samui. For local residents, the Big Buddha statue sacred place
, where they come to cleanse themselves on weekends. There is also a belief among the locals that since the Big Buddha statue was built, the island of Koh Samui has become under its protection and protects it from misfortunes and natural disasters. And it’s true, Samui is becoming more and more popular among tourists every year and is developing rapidly. To get to the Big Buddha statue itself, you need to climb the stairs, which you need to step on without shoes, but in front of the stairs there is a sign saying that if you come during the heat of the sun from 10 to 16 days, you can use shoes. Climbing to the top to the Buddha himself you will see beautiful view on Koh Samui and the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, if you have a residence permit in Thailand, be sure to buy a house in the Big Buddha area - incredibly beautiful views of the Bolshoi
In front of the stairs, locals wash smaller Buddha statues with water.
Located near Big Buddha Temple Wat Phra Yai, as well as a school where, if desired, you can study the philosophy of Buddhism and learn meditation. Near the statue there are also sellers of things, drinks and fruits, naturally, tens of baht more expensive than in a regular place.
Photo of Big Buddha on Koh Samui
The 12-meter Big Buddha Statue, built in 1972, majestically sitting in the lotus position can be considered a talisman and amulet of the island of Koh Samui. Buddha looks intently from the top of the tiny Fan Island, connected to Koh Samui by a causeway, and patronizes the island. For local residents, this is a shrine - a place where they come to pray, ask for help and spiritual strength.
A staircase of 60 steps leads to the Big Buddha. Before climbing, be sure to take off your shoes and cover your shoulders, stomach, décolleté and knees. Instead of railings, on both sides of the stairs there are snake-like mythical creatures Nagas with a fan of snake heads.
Behind the Buddha statue is a wheel with 12 spokes, each of which represents a nidana link.
If you decide to visit Big Buddha on a whim, don't let your beachy appearance stop you. Before the ascent, you will be given a sarong, and you can safely, as expected, ascend to the temple. After your visit, don't forget to return your clothes.
After overcoming 60 steps, you will find yourself on small area, along the perimeter of which there are bells. You need to make a wish and hit each bell with a mallet, which you can take for free right there on the spot. The site also offers magnificent views of the Gulf of Thailand and the neighboring island of Koh Phangan.
At the Big Buddha statue there is Buddhist temple Wat Phra Yai with a functioning school. At the school, everyone can learn the basics of Buddhist philosophy and meditation. The monks accept donations for the construction of new temple walls.
At the foot of the statue, for 50 baht you can buy a tile, write your names on it with wishes and requests, and put it in a special box. The tablet will remain in the cell until it becomes the tiled roof of the temple.
To the left of the stairs sit monks who, for a donation, put a blessed rope on your hand for happiness and good luck and bless you.
Many tents and shops with souvenirs, clothes, sweets and delicacies are located at the foot of the Big Buddha. The cost of souvenirs is overpriced, since it is often visited by tourists and local residents place. But there are still shops that are worth a look. For example, a store that displays iron figurines: busts of Buddha, elephants, terminator, pirate Caribbean Sea Jack Sparrow. What is especially impressive is that they are all assembled from bike parts and similar parts.
If you go straight from Big Buddha to the water, you can see extraordinary sculptures. The most memorable is the sculpture of a woman with bare breasts, fangs and an outstretched hand. Thais love to take pictures near it. This figure is not so simple, people turn to it for protection from enemies and villains who interfere with a peaceful life, and it is called “The Woman Eating Enemies.” There is a legend that many years ago a woman lived in this very place, endowed with the power to destroy villains and enemies. It was necessary to come and ask her about it, proving the enemy wrong and evil intentions.
If you are traveling to Koh Samui, be sure to visit Big Buddha - this is the main highlight and business card popular beach
Helpful information
Entry to the temple grounds is free.
Try not to turn your back to the Big Buddha statue when sitting down, and do not point your legs towards it.
How to get there
To get from Chaweng Beach, you should drive towards the airport past Samui Hospital, turn right at the fork and move straight along the Choeng Mon area, the arch leading to the temple will be on the right.
The attraction was created quite a long time ago, in 1972, even before tourists came to these parts.
Big Buddha is located on a certain hill, to which a wide staircase leads, divided into three sections - they usually go up along the central one, and down along the side ones. The railings are made in the form of snakes with dragon heads. At the foot of the stairs on both sides there are several buildings containing statues of the Reclining Buddha, statues of saints, sculptures of small Buddhas (human size) and other religious sculptures. You can make offerings to all of them: flowers, incense (which are sold right there).
At the bottom, near the stairs, you need to take off your shoes and climb the steps barefoot. True, in bright sunshine the steps become hot and it is better to climb as quickly as possible. Usually in Thailand you are not allowed to wear shorts and T-shirts to religious places, but Big Buddha- exception: many tourists wear such clothes and no one pays attention to it. Although, of course, you shouldn’t appear in swimsuits and swimming trunks - this is too much.
The statue itself is surrounded by small sculptures of Standing Buddhas. They are said to symbolize the seven days of the week and you can make an offering to the statue on which day you were born.
The sculpture of the Big Buddha itself is located in a fenced area, along the perimeter of which bells hang. You can hit them, because they free you from sins and bring good luck (at least Buddhists believe this).
From the top of the platform open great views both on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The panorama is really good, don't forget to take your camera.
Going downstairs, you can go to local souvenir shops selling figurines of Buddha and other deities, various crystals, paintings, amulets, etc. The prices are decent, you can buy the same thing for much cheaper.
A hundred meters from the stairs, right into the sea, there is a fabulous sculptural ensemble. Some statues stand knee-deep in water, others on the shore. There is a mermaid, and a rider on a dashing horse (the horse has a dragon head), and a monk, and a flute player. In the center of the exhibition is a woman with fangs who kills the enemies of local residents.
Buddhism is the official religion of Thailand, so there are places of worship of this faith in every corner of the country (for example,). They are often located on tiny coastal cliffs. And on the island of Koh Samui, the second largest in the Gulf of Thailand, the Thais tried to place an almost cyclopean structure, reflecting the degree of their reverence for the supreme deity. The majestic statue is 12 meters high, and the distance between the knees (the deity sits in the traditional lotus position) is six meters. It is all covered with a layer of gold leaf.
This place is not a temple complex; the Big Buddha statue on Koh Samui is allocated a site on the top of a hill of a small island. There is a fence installed along the edge of the square, which not only protects against accidental falls, but is also a sacred structure. There are bells hanging on its pillars, by making them ring, you can get rid of sins and attract good luck. You can also offer alms to any of the Buddha statues surrounding the main figure of the deity. They symbolize the days of the week. Choose the one that matches your birthday.
The Big Buddha statue is also not a historical monument. It was installed in 1972 with the specific purpose of protecting the sunny and carefree island of Koh Samui from natural disasters and other misfortunes. Its inhabitants are immensely proud to be under the protection of the Buddha. Therefore, this statue can rightfully be considered the soul and heart of this island!
The Big Buddha complex on Koh Samui is a rare exception in terms of tolerance. You can come there in beach T-shirts and shorts. The only condition that must be met is to take off your shoes before entering the stairs leading to the observation deck.
What to see
Installed on the top of a hill on a small island connected to Koh Samui by a causeway. There is a staircase of 60 steps leading there. It is divided into three stripes: the middle one, lined with brown tiles, is designed to go upstairs. The staircase itself is a work of art. Its railings are made in the shape of snakes with dragon heads. At its foot there is a pavilion surrounded by sculptural images of this deity in different reincarnations. Here you can buy flowers and incense to make offerings.
In addition to the fact that the site near the Big Buddha is a place of religious worship, it is also an excellent observation point from which you can see the sea adjacent to Samui and a number of sea cliffs.
About a hundred meters from the stairs there is a fabulous sculptural composition, half immersed in the sea waves by the artist’s whim. The main character in it is a mythological woman with huge fangs who kills the enemies of the island's inhabitants. The remaining figures are more peaceful: a monk, a flute player, a rider on a horse with a dragon's head, a mermaid.
At the foot of the hill there are several souvenir shops. Most of all they offer Buddha figurines, although you can also buy traditional Thai souvenirs, clothes and jewelry that you can buy. Due to the abundance of tourists, prices are extremely high. The same thing, but two or three times cheaper, you can buy it at local markets or in. But you should definitely look into one of them. There, tourists are offered to buy figurines of movie characters made from parts of disassembled cars. It will be very interesting to watch, even if you don’t buy anything.
How to get there
To get to the Big Buddha on Koh Samui, we need to get to Fan Island. Any one can be reached based on visual landmarks. If your starting point of the route is from, then exit onto Sanam Bin Road and head to the pier where ferries depart from. To the north there is an arch, under which there is a road leading to Fan Island.
