Greetings fellow travelers!
The Big Buddha offers breathtaking views of Phuket and the Andaman Sea, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Visitors can climb up the stairs to the statue's base and admire the scenic beauty of the surrounding area.
The Big Buddha, or officially known as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha, is a colossal statue of Lord Buddha situated on top of Nakkerd Hills in Phuket, Thailand. The statue is made of white Burmese marble and stands tall at 45 meters high, making it one of the most prominent landmarks in Phuket.
Construction of the Big Buddha began in 2004 and was entirely funded by donations from locals and tourists. It took almost ten years to complete and was finally finished in 2014. The statue's design is based on traditional Thai and Buddhist art styles, with intricate details and symbols representing Lord Buddha's teachings.
Aside from its aesthetic value, the Big Buddha also serves as a symbol of peace, hope, and unity among the local communities in Phuket. It is believed that by contributing to the construction or making a wish at the statue, one can attain good karma and blessings.
My Experience: When I went to Big Buddha in Phuket, we hike up a fairly steep trail. This made the coconut quite a treat at the top! You are able to take a taxi pretty much to the top of Big Buddha, but we took the scenic sweaty route instead. Arriving at The Big Buddha overlook, there is the a stunning view of Andaman Sea! My friends and I took time to sit and soak in the view as the sunset painted the sky.
There were monks doing chants under and inside the Big Buddha. There were mats open for visitors, allowing one to join in the spiritual Buddhist hymns. To our surprise, we saw monkeys wandering about the trees and walking near picture taking tourists. With the sunset long passing, my group decide to not do the descending hike in the dark. We took a small bus ( really didn't have an option) for under 500 baht back to the city of Kata. We got dinner in Kata and played some pool. Then proceeded to take a Grab ( Uber in Thailand) for about 30 minutes back over to our hostel in Patong, Phuket.
In conclusion, the Big Buddha in Thailand is not only an impressive piece of art but also a significant symbol of peace and hope. Its construction and existence are a testament to the power of community and faith. If you're planning to visit Phuket, make sure to include the Big Buddha in your itinerary and witness its grandeur and significance for yourself. Until next time, happy travels!
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