The Big Buddha, officially Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, sits on top of Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata and can be seen from much of the south of the island. The seated figure is 45 metres high, built of reinforced concrete and clad in white Burmese marble, and from its platform around 400 metres above the sea you look down over Chalong Bay, Kata and Kata Noi and, on a clear day, out to the islands of Phang Nga Bay. The site closed in August 2024 and reopened on 3 March 2026 with a paved, signposted road. Work on the surrounding halls and gardens continues, but the statue and staircase are complete and entry is free, with donations welcome. A short drive below is Wat Chalong, or Wat Chaithararam, the island’s most important temple, linked to the revered monk Luang Pho Chaem, with a tall chedi said to hold a relic of the Buddha. The Tiqets product we link combines both with a forty-minute ATV ride through a rubber plantation, a fun way to see the hills if you do not have your own transport.
How it works: the Big Buddha is open daily from morning until early evening, with last entry about half an hour before closing, and is free to visit. The Tiqets tour, run by Phuket Paradise Trip, collects you from Patong, Kata, Karon, Rawai or Chalong at 08:30, 12:00 or 14:30. After a safety briefing you ride an ATV for about forty minutes through rubber plantation and jungle trails, then drive to the Big Buddha, return to the base for a drink and finish with a half-hour visit to Wat Chalong. Hotel transfers, helmet, raincoat and insurance are included. The tour is listed at two hours, but allow longer. Free cancellation runs until twenty-four hours ahead.
What to expect: both sites are active places of worship. Shoulders and knees must be covered, so no vest tops or short shorts; sarongs are lent free at the Big Buddha entrance, but they are not included on the tour, so dress modestly from the start. Take off your shoes where signs ask, and never point your feet at a Buddha image. You can sponsor a marble tile for the statue as a donation.
Making the most of it: go in the late afternoon for softer light and cooler air, or early to beat the tour groups. If you have a car or scooter, you can visit without a tour. Fit in the viewpoints at Karon on the way down and finish at Promthep Cape for sunset.
What to expect
The experience
A visit to the hilltop Big Buddha and its viewpoint plus Wat Chalong temple, either independently or on the Tiqets tour that adds a forty-minute ATV ride.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, when the marble is less dazzling, the heat is lower and the tour groups are fewer.
How long
An hour at the Big Buddha and half an hour at Wat Chalong, or a half day including the ATV ride and transfers.
Tips
Cover shoulders and knees before you set off, carry small notes for donations and bring water for the walk around the platform.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants Phuket’s best island-wide view together with its most important temples.
- Families
- Older children love the ATV ride, while younger ones can visit the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong by taxi without it.
- Couples
- Watch the late light turn the marble gold, then drive on to Promthep Cape for sunset.
- Pair with
- Promthep Cape for sunset or the elephant sanctuary for a full day inland.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours.
Good questions
Is the Big Buddha open in 2026?+
Yes. It closed in August 2024 and reopened on 3 March 2026, with work continuing on the surrounding halls and gardens.
How much does it cost to visit the Big Buddha?+
Entry is free, and donations are welcome. You can also sponsor a marble tile for the statue.
What should I wear to the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong?+
Cover your shoulders and knees at both temples. Sarongs are lent free at the Big Buddha, but it is easier to dress modestly from the start.
How tall is the Big Buddha?+
The statue is 45 metres high and clad in white Burmese marble. It stands on Nakkerd Hill, around 400 metres above the sea.
Do I need the ATV tour to visit?+
No, you can reach both sites by taxi, car or scooter. The Tiqets tour is useful if you want transfers and the ATV ride in one booking.
