Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)- a must-visit place in Pattaya
Known as Big Buddha Temple, Wat Phra Yai is one of the iconic temples in Pattaya. It is famous for owning a big Buddha statue with 18 meters high facing Pattaya beach. Also, the temple is a good place for Thai people to pray and wish for health and wealth. In this post, we will share with you all the information about the Big Buddha Temple in Pattaya with the details as below:
- Basic information about Big Buddha Temple
- How to get to Big Buddha Temple?
- What is Big Buddha Temple famous for?
- Tips when visiting Big Buddha Temple
Overview of the Big Buddha statue from the entrance
Basic information about Big Buddha Temple
- Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entrance fee: Free
- Address: WV79+PCQ, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150 (See map)
How to get to Big Buddha Temple?
The easiest way to get to Big Buddha Temple is by motorbike or by car. You can easily drive your vehicles to this place. There is a high slope on the way to the temple, so you should be careful when getting to this area. There is a parking area in front of the temple as well. It has enough place for both car parking and motorbike parking.
If you do not have your own vehicle, the cheapest and most recommended way to get to the Big Buddha is to rent a motorbike and drive there. The road is quite easy to travel, so you may not have any difficulty driving there. Motobike rental is all around the Pattaya area with a rental fee of 300 THB/day.
If you do not want to drive, a taxi or a motorbike taxi is a good choice as well. However, always check the distance from your place to the area to have an estimated transportation fee to avoid scammers.
What is Big Buddha Temple famous for?
As its name, the Big Buddha Temple is well-known for the Big Buddha statue in 18 meters high facing Pattaya and Jomtien beaches. To reach the statue, you need to walk uphill on a stairway with 108 steps. Along two sides of the stair are two giant Nagas. As you may know, Naga is a Thai dragon that is considered a protector and appears in all temples in Thailand.
On the top of the hill lies the Big Buddha Statue
At the entrance, you will see an area with a Buddha who wears sunglasses and has many roosters around. This place is for people to pray for money and gold. If you have a chance to visit this place, do stop by and have a look.
The left silver rooster represents the wish for money, the right gold rooster represents the wish for gold
In the area lies the Big Buddha, there are many other Buddha statues that are representative for each day in a week and the future Buddha. Thai people believe that each day in a week is blessed by a special Buddha. If you were born on Monday, the Monday Buddha will protect you and give you what you pray for. As such, many Thai people have the tendency to pay tribute to their blessing Buddha. You can donate 20 THB and get free flowers to worship the Buddha.
The Wednesday Buddha
The Thursday Buddha
Additionally, there is a park around the temple. If you would want to take a walk after visiting the Big Buddha Temple, the park is a perfect place for you to fulfill your need. There are many shops selling souvenirs, lucky bracelets, and necklets around the temple as well.
Pattaya beach view from Big Buddhe Temple
Tips when visiting Big Buddha Temple
Like every temple in Thailand, the Big Buddha Temple will require you to have specific manners on visiting.
- Dress modest and polite
- Tank tops, shorts, revealing clothes are strictly not allowed. You can be rejected to enter the place if you dress improperly. At the entrance, you can rent a sarong to wear in case you wear short clothes
- Don’t speak loudly or make noise
- Take off your shoes when approaching to Big Buddha statue ground
- Don’t climb up the statue or any religious areas
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