Wat Phra Yai

Pattaya


The giant golden Buddha figure of Wat Phra Yai sits atop this forested hill between Jomtien and South Pattaya. The serene Buddha dates back to when Pattaya was a small fishing village. You can walk here from the southern end of Walking St.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Pattaya attractions

1. Khao Phra Tamnak

0.55 MILES

This hill has a modest Buddhist temple as well as a much-revered memorial to the admiral who founded the modern Thai navy. There are marvellous views over…

2. Underwater World Pattaya

2.19 MILES

The area’s largest aquarium is particularly child-friendly, with touch pools and koi feeding sessions. The long viewing tunnel is the highlight. It's on…

4. Art in Paradise

2.85 MILES

Thais come here for the ultimate selfie as they pose amid cleverly designed 3D paintings of dinosaurs, waterfalls, ancient Egypt and, bizarrely, an…

5. Sanctuary of Truth

4.25 MILES

Made entirely of intricately carved wood (without any metal nails) and commanding a celestial view of the ocean, the Sanctuary of Truth is best described…

6. Ko Lan

6.01 MILES

Day trippers head for this small island, 7km offshore from central Pattaya. On weekends, its five beaches entertain thousands of visitors and the…

7. Anek Kusala Sala

8.03 MILES

A popular stop for tour groups, this museum contains more than 300 impressive pieces of Chinese artwork, mainly bronze and brass statues depicting…

8. Hat Tham Phang

16.45 MILES

On the southwest side, Hat Tham Phang is the only sandy beach on the island and many day trippers make a beeline here (motorbike taxi from the main pier…