Big Buddha in Pattaya – Wat Phra Yai Temple

Sitting on top of Pratumnak Hill between Pattaya Beach and Jomtien is the Wat Phra Yai Temple, often referred to as the Big Buddha statue of Pattaya. The big Buddha in Pattaya is one of the more interested cultural sites in Pattaya. The golden statue is 18 meters tall and surrounded by loads of other interesting statues and shrines.

It is really easy to go and see the Big Buddha Statue in Pattaya. From central Pattaya Beach it will take around 15 minutes to get to the top of the hill. It would be a good decent walk of around an hour. The road up to the top of the hill is quite steep so definitely a good workout to get to the top.

Once you reach the front of the temple, there is a long, straight staircase with around 50 steps up to the top of the temple where the Big Buddha statue sits.

Around the base of the big Buddha are lots of smaller Buddha statues in various positions, sitting, standing and laying down, representing the different positions for meditation and reaching enlightenment. Each of the statues is also labelled with a different day of the week. In Thai culture it is significant which day of the week you are born.

Everyday of the week there are locals visiting the temple to pray and show their respects to The Buddha.

Entrance to the temple is free. As this is a real Buddhist Temple with people worshiping it is best to show respect when visiting by dressing conservatively. No singlets, shoulders should be covered.

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