Phuketโs most iconic landmark
UPDATE 2025: Big Buddha Phuket access is closed to the public.
Big Buddha Phuket is temporarily closed following a major landslide in August 2024. Authorities are assessing safety conditions, and no reopening date has been announced. The closure was ordered after part of the hill collapsed, reportedly due to illegal construction on protected forest land: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2858202/phuket-buddha-site-ordered-closed-due-to-landslide-risks
The View That Never Gets Old
Big Buddha Phuket, the islandโs most recognisable landmark, stands 45 metres tall at the top of Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata. Covered in bright white Burmese marble tiles, the statue can be seen from most beaches in the south. Even after all these years, spotting it from a road or boat still gives us that familiar โyouโre in Phuketโ feeling.
It shows up in almost every โmust-seeโ list, but this place has never been about checking boxes for us. Itโs the breeze at the top, the hum of the bells, the monks in the lower temple โ even the clinking donation jars. We first came here back when it was just scaffolding and concrete dust, sometime in 2004. Hard to imagine now. Itโs been incredible to watch it slowly become what it is today โ a peaceful, powerful spot overlooking the island.
A Few Things to Know Before You Visit
First, a quick reminder: this is a temple, not just a viewpoint. Itโs a place of worship. There are monks, rituals, and locals coming to pray. Weโve seen too many visitors act like theyโre at a photo shoot. Just think how youโd behave in a church or mosque back home โ and youโre good.
Phuket Big Buddha Video
Is there a dress code at Big Buddha Phuket?
Thereโs a dress code, and itโs simple. No sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee. If you forget, youโll be offered a free sarong to cover up. Nothing dramatic, just part of the experience.
Weโve been stopped ourselves on early visits. The guards are polite, but theyโll send you back to the gate if youโre not dressed properly. Thereโs also an unspoken rule: keep your voice down. This is still a working temple, and while itโs popular, itโs not a theme park.
Visiting Big Buddha Phuket
The broad staircase, guarded by two long, sculpted Nagas (serpent deities), leads from the front terrace up to the base of the statue. Itโs always felt a little theatrical, in a good way โ like youโre approaching something important.
There are 94 steps (we counted, but thank you, Joni, for confirming!). Youโre only allowed to walk up the stairs. Thereโs a separate slope for the way down, and a guard usually keeps watch to make sure everyone follows it.
The climb isnโt too hard โ slow and steady is fine. If stairs arenโt your thing, the view from the terrace below is still worth it. Weโve taken friends who didnโt make the climb, and they still loved it.
Panoramic Views of Kata and Chalong
This is what most people come for โ and it never disappoints. Look west, and youโll see Kata Beach, Kata Noi, and a hint of Promthep Cape and the Nai Harn windmill. Turn around, and youโll be facing Chalong Bay. On clear days, weโve seen all the way to Phang Nga Bay โ those jagged islands floating on the horizon.
Behind the Buddha is a quieter terrace with another great view. Most people miss it, but we always recommend walking around the back before heading down. Itโs where weโve taken some of our favourite photos, with hardly anyone else around.
Thereโs also a small restaurant partway up the hill. Itโs nothing fancy, but we always stop for a drink. The view over Karon Beach from that little terrace is something we never get tired of.
The Temple
On the way down, we pass through the temple area. Itโs not huge, but it has its own calm rhythm. Monks sit quietly offering blessings, and locals often stop by to pray. Weโve donated here a few times, and sometimes buy an amulet or two โ part tradition, part habit.
Thereโs also a museum-like room where you can read more about the construction. Itโs modest, but interesting. The full name of the statue is Phraphutthamingmongkhol-akenagakhiri Buddha, which roughly translates to โHappiness on top of Nakkerd Mountain.โ Pretty fitting, really.ย Even though the statue looks finished, parts of the base are still technically under construction. But for most people visiting, it already feels complete.
The Seven Buddhas of the Week
Just below the statue, there are seven smaller Buddha statues โ one for each day of the week. If you know what day you were born, you can light a candle and offer a flower to your โday Buddha.โ Itโs a small gesture, but one we enjoy doing each time we visit.
When was Big Buddha Phuket built?
The Big Buddha project started in 2002 when the foundation stone was laid by General Phijit Kulawanich, Privy Councilor. The statue was meant to become a symbol of peace and faith for the people of Phuket. A few years later, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand gave it the official name Phraphutthamingmongkhol-akenagakhiri Buddha, which means โHappiness on Top of Nakkerd Mountain.โ
The statue itself stands 45 metres tall and is made of concrete covered with white Burmese marble tiles. The marble โ about 135 tonnes of it โ was imported from Myanmar and gives the statue its distinct, almost glowing appearance, especially in the late afternoon light.
What makes this project truly special is that it was built entirely from donations. You can still sponsor a marble tile for 300 or 1,000 baht , depending on the size, and even write your name on it โ something weโve done ourselves in the past.
The main statue and staircase are now complete, but construction is still ongoing underneath the platform, where new meditation halls and exhibition areas are slowly taking shape. Itโs always been a community effort, and itโs still growing, little by little.
How to Get to Big Buddha Phuket?
Most tour agencies and tuk-tuks in Phuket can take you to the Big Buddha easily, and the entrance has always been free. If you prefer to drive yourself, the statue sits at the top of Nakkerd Hill, just outside Chalong in the south of Phuket. We usually follow the signs from Phuket Town toward Chalong Circle โ theyโre easy to spot and well-placed. The road to the site isnโt far from Wat Chalong, so itโs a good stop if youโre already exploring that area.
The final stretch is a narrow, winding road branching off Chaofa West Road. Itโs paved and in decent condition, but the descent can feel a little steep โ especially on busy days. Even though weโve been driving in Phuket for decades, we always take it slow on the way down, just to be safe.
There are a few ways to visit: rent a car or motorbike, hire a tuk-tuk and ask the driver to wait, or join a half-day tour. Some travellers even reach the top by ATV tour. For the more active, thereโs also a hiking trail from Karon Beach, which is a good workout if youโre up for the challenge.
The road itself is curvy but smooth. As mentioned, we always go slow heading back down. Once you reach the summit, thereโs usually plenty of parking, and itโs well organised. Just before the entrance, security staff will check your outfit. If your shorts or skirt are too short, youโll be asked to wear a sarong โ theyโre provided free of charge. Weโre used to it by now and always go with longer shorts to avoid any fuss.
Big Buddha Phuket Hike
Thereโs a trail starting from Patak Road in Karon, just opposite Baan Karon Resort. Itโs marked on Google Maps as about 2.5 km, though a stone halfway up claims itโs only 1 km. Weโve done the hike a few times โ it takes about an hour with a few rest stops.
The trail itself is mostly clear now, but one part is quite steep and a bit slippery. Ropes have been installed to help you up that section. Youโll want decent shoes, water, and a bit of stamina. If youโre used to hikes, itโs moderate. If not, it might feel tough, but very doable.
We always feel the view is even more rewarding when youโve earned it by walking there. Read more about hikes to Big Buddha.
The Site Today
Sadly, the Big Buddha is currently closed. The landslide in August 2024 caused serious damage and exposed some illegal building work around the site. Officials are still assessing how to stabilise the hill and whether the area can safely reopen.
Itโs hard not to feel something when you stand at the top, looking out over the island. For us, itโs more than just a tourist attraction โ itโs been part of our Phuket story for over 20 years. Watching it grow from scaffolding into a symbol of the island has been a privilege.
When itโs safe again, weโll be back โ and yes, weโll count those 94 steps one more time.
Where to Stay Near Big Buddha Phuket
There are no hotels near the Big Buddha, but you will find a few nice places near the bottom of the hill, including some luxury hideaways and villas.
 5-star hotel - Score: 8.7 Distance from Big Buddha: 5 km |  3-star hotel - Score: 7.8 Distance from Big Buddha: 4 km |  3-star hotel - Score: 8.1 Distance from Big Buddha: 4 km |
Where to Eat Near Big Buddha?
360 Panorama
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More photos of Big Buddha Phuket
Big Buddha Phuket Info
Location: Chalong
Address: Soi Yot Sane 1, Chaofa West Rd, Nakkerd Hill, near Chalong
Open: 6 am โ 7.30 pm
Phone: 083 556 2242
Dress Code: No short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless T-shirts
Admission: Free
Built: 2004
Official name: Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Akenakiri
Height: 45 m
Big Buddha Phuket Map
Open this map on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/QfuQU3YyHwX2JrTR6.
This story was first published on August 6, 2016 โย more about the Big Buddha of Phuket on Wikipedia.
