Big Buddha, Ko Samui

Samui's trademark

What we say:

Finished in the mid 1970s, Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) is the most visited attraction on Ko Samui.

Located on the miniscule Ko Phan Island, around a kilometre from the airport, Big Buddha is around 15 metres tall and 12 metres wide and the island can now be reached by a causeway.

Construction of a monastery on the island was begun in 1920 but stalled after the death of the monk. The plan was eventually changed and the Buddha built instead.

Ko Phan, or Small Deer Island, gets its name from a legend that mentions an enchanted deer being the island's guardian spirit. Big Buddha is a spectacular sight as you walk up the many stairs to his golden image.

Visitors drained by the heat and the trek up the stairs are cooled by a sea breeze as they gaze past ornate bells, over the boat-filled bay. Please remember to dress appropriately.

More details

At the end of Bang Rak, as you round the bend to Choeng Mon, Ko Samui

Travelfish reader reviews

There have been no reviews written by Travelfish readers so far.
Why don't you start the ball rolling?

Have your say

Review title

Snappiness encouraged ;-)

When did you visit here?

This gives your review a bit of context - especially if you were last visited in 1932.

Your review

(Remotely sensible, non-ranting comments are much appreciated. If you don't like somewhere, please explain why -- it's all far more helpful for others that way.) Serial ranters, loons and spammers will be banished!
And please, no self-promotional URLs -- that's what your signature field is for.

So how does it rate?

On a scale of one to ten (with 10 being outstanding and 1 being bloody awful) how would you rate here?
Rating (out of 10):

Please note reviews are now pre moderated. Not all reviews will be published and submissions may be edited for clarity, typos and style before they appear. Ranting tirades, spam and anything else that really belongs somewhere else won't make the cut. If you want to rant, go to Thorntree.

Please login and refresh this screen before writing your review -- thanks!