The short answer
Big Buddha: what visitors should know first
Yes, go in the morning by car. The road reaches the lower terrace, where most of the views are, so older travellers can enjoy the visit without the 94 steps to the statue's base.
History and context
The story behind Big Buddha
The official Thai name is Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkhon Ek Nak Khiri. The reinforced-concrete figure measures about 45 metres high and 25 metres across and is clad in white marble from Myanmar.
The foundation stone was laid on 26 May 2002 and work has continued since. The site closed in August 2024 after a landslide that killed 13 people, and reopened on 3 March 2026.
Useful facts
Big Buddha facts at a glance
- Location
- Nakkerd Hill, between Chalong and Kata
- Experience type
- Hilltop statue and viewpoint
- Known for
- 45-metre seated Buddha faced in white Burmese marble
- Architect Built
- Under construction since 2002, funded by visitor donations
- Time or schedule
- Daylight hours; our source lists 9 am to 6 pm
Why it matters
Why Big Buddha is worth your time
The statue is a modern landmark rather than an ancient one, and that is the interesting thing about it. Funded by visitor donations since work began in 2002 and faced in about 135 tonnes of marble imported from Myanmar, it shows how actively Buddhism is practised in present-day Phuket, far from the beach bars. It can be seen from a long way off, which helps you understand the island's shape.
It also matters to planners because older web pages may still describe it as closed. The site shut in August 2024 after a landslide and reopened on 3 March 2026. Check current access before you build a morning around it, though by late 2026 it was reported open.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The statue from below
Standing at the base of the steps gives the best sense of its scale, particularly with morning light on the marble.
- 02
The bay view
The terrace looks over Chalong Bay and its pier, and across to the beaches on the other side of the ridge.
- 03
Prayer bells and offerings
Donated bells hang in the trees around the site, a reminder that this is still a place of devotion.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Come by car or app cab, because the paved road from Chaofa West Road climbs for about 15 minutes and has a steep, tightly curved section on the way down. Parking is free in the large lot below the main terrace. Take a sarong at the entrance if anyone is in shorts or sleeveless tops.
Start on the lower terrace, where the view opens over Chalong Bay on one side and Kata and Karon on the other. Anyone happy with stairs can take the 94 steps to the base of the statue and walk around it. Others lose little by staying below and looking up. Bells donated by worshippers hang in the trees around the site; it is a working religious site as well as a viewpoint, so keep voices low.
The visit pairs naturally with Wat Chalong, a short drive downhill. Do the temple first when it is coolest, then come up here before the terraces get hot.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go before the terraces heat up
- Carry a shawl or use the free sarongs at the gate
- Hire a driver for the steep descent
- Bring water; there is little shade on the terraces
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Nakkerd Hill, between Chalong and Kata, reached from Chaofa West Road
- Time needed
- About an hour
- Best time
- Soon after 9 am opening, or late afternoon if the car park has space; clear days in the dry season
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- A car reaches the lower terrace with its views. The upper platform is by 94 steps only, and there is little shade on the terraces, so morning is far easier. The descent road is steep, so hire a driver rather than a scooter.
- Tickets and access
- Free entry, with optional donations. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and free sarongs are offered at the entrance. Check current hours locally; our source lists 9 am to 6 pm with last entry at 5:30 pm.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Big Buddha
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
A car reaches the lower terrace with its views. The upper platform is by 94 steps only, and there is little shade on the terraces, so morning is far easier. The descent road is steep, so hire a driver rather than a scooter.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the Big Buddha open?
It reopened on 3 March 2026 after a closure caused by a landslide in 2024. Confirm before you set out, because conditions on the hill can change.
Can elderly parents manage it?
Yes, as far as the lower terrace, which you can reach by car. The upper platform needs 94 steps, and there are no lifts mentioned in any source we found.
Is there an entry fee?
No, though donations are welcome. Modest dress is required, and sarongs are provided at the entrance.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
