One of Pattaya's most iconic and memorable landmarks is Buddha Hill. This is a kind of tribute from the Thais to the most revered deity of this region - Buddha. Work on the site began in 1977, when local monks decided to start raising funds for the installation of a huge statue of the deity. They did not think about the choice of a place for a long time, choosing the top of a 120-meter hill, which is clearly visible from anywhere in the city.
The result is a 15-meter-high concrete statue, which, thanks to its unusual coating, seems to be cast from the purest gold. It is not surprising that this place has become one of the centers of pilgrimage not only for Thais, but also for numerous tourists who are not indifferent to sights of this kind.
Intriguing legend
The statue has been "overgrown with legends" since its inception. According to one of them, the Big Buddha was made of pure gold, which took about five thousand tons. Since such an accumulation of precious metal, like a magnet, began to attract vandals and robbers, the monks decided to cover the statue with a layer of plaster.
As a result, the valuable contents of the Big Buddha were forgotten for some time, and the secret was revealed when the restoration of the statue was needed. Therefore, today the historical and "commercial" landmark is covered with a thick layer of bronze paint.
How to get there
So how do you get to such an interesting and unusual sight? Buddha Hill is located between Thappraya Road and Pratumnak Road, so you can get to it by any means of transport or even on foot. A trip from the city center will take no more than 5-7 minutes. The cost of the trip, depending on the starting point, will be from 100 to 200 units of local currency.
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The second option for quick access to the attraction is to order an excursion with a transfer service. A visit to the Hill is included in many sightseeing tours of Pattaya. Therefore, it will not be difficult to find yourself in such a tourist group. In addition to the opportunity to be on the hill, tourists will receive a Russian-speaking guide who will enthusiastically tell about many traditions, rituals and the history of the creation of a religious landmark.
If you prefer to hike, the easiest way is to be on the hill off Pratumnak Road. First, take the highway to the central part of Pattaya, at the fork, turn right and follow the slight rise past the Chinese temple.
The entrance to the hill is always free. But you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to make donations and offerings to the monks and their main religious idol.
History and rituals
The attraction consists of a complex of religious monuments. But the central statue is the Big Buddha, who greets visitors with a blissful smile, sitting in the traditional "lotus position" for believers.
A huge staircase with 120 steps leads to the attraction. It is believed that the one who, during the ascent, counts all the steps correctly and never gets lost, has complete order with the aura. This ritual is very popular both among the local population and among tourists.
Another interesting ritual that every visitor to the attraction must go through is "cleansing the soul" and receiving a blessing. To the left of the stairs is a small building in which you need to make a donation, listen to a prayer and receive a talisman from a monk.
Well, for those who want to improve their karma, we recommend purchasing a bird cage. According to legend, if you let the imprisoned birds out of the cage on the top of the hill, then a person's karma will improve, and he will be lucky everywhere. At the same time, there are many skeptics of such a ritual, who claim that after a while the birds return back to the cage, to their owner.
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Thai shrine
When all the necessary rituals are observed, you can go to meet the main shrine of Pattaya. In addition to the main statue, tourists will be able to see other mythical creatures and religious idols of the Thais. Of course, the lion's share of all the sculptures are dedicated to Buddha, who appears before tourists in different guises.
As for other mythical creatures, here you can see huge seven-headed serpents - nagas, which guard the stairs leading to the Buddha.
Rules and prohibitions
Do not forget that Buddha Hill is a religious site. Therefore, when traveling here, it is worthwhile to carefully study the existing rules for visitors and the prohibitions they may encounter. For example, it is forbidden to visit the shrine in short dresses, skirts and shorts, clothes with open arms and shoulders. If the monks notice such visitors at the hill, they have every right to deny them access to the religious complex.
A place for prayer
At the top of the hill, you can see a small temple for prayer. Before entering the premises, you need to leave a donation to the monks, take off your shoes and stock up on flowers or aroma bulbs. Before lighting the light bulbs, you need to quietly turn to the Buddha, ask his advice or seek help in solving a problem. All the necessary products for the proper ceremony are sold in local souvenir shops.
Buddha days of the week
Of considerable interest among tourists are the statues of the main deity, which personify the days of the week, the vices of humanity and those good deeds that every representative of the human race must do in his life. Thais believe that each day of the week corresponds to its own Buddha - some are rich, others are poor, some are healthy and in good spirits, while others appear sick and deeply unhappy.
Moreover, each day of the week has its own color, which is revered by all Thais. They give preference to their color when buying outfits, home improvement and be sure to wear a wedding dress of the desired shade. It is believed that this affects karma and determines the future fate of a person. For example, the current reigning king is yellow, which is why this shade occupies a dominant position in all celebrations.
The Buddha of Wealth and the Temple Where Desires Fulfill
There is also a statue of Buddha on the observation deck, which is responsible for wealth and material well-being. It is not difficult to find it, because there are always a lot of tourists with cameras around. Instead of a navel, the statue has a hole into which everyone tries to hit with a coin. It is believed that those who succeed in this will be accompanied by material luck, and they will soon be able to get rich.
And for those who have a cherished desire, we recommend visiting the temple with three statues of the deity. To make a wish come true, you need to make it before Buda and light a candle. Among European tourists, there are many of those to whom the Thai shrine has already presented what they wanted more than anything else.
Viewpoint
So that tourists can enjoy amazing views, there is an observation deck on the hill. It offers amazing views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Pratumnak area and the famous Pattaya Park hotel.
There is also a small canopy with prints of Buddha's feet, in front of which prayers are held.
Big Buddha Hill in Pattaya Video
Big Buddha Hill on the map
Not sure where to stay in Pattaya? We present a small selection of hotels in the very center
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