Naga staircase
Temple entrance
The steps up to the Buddha are lined with long serpent (naga) balustrades, a guardian figure in Thai temples.
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Pattaya, Thailand
Big Buddha Temple — Wat Phra Yai
An 18-metre golden Buddha on top of Pratumnak Hill, reached by a naga staircase, with views over Pattaya and Jomtien.
Favourite places
Golden seated Buddha
Hilltop terrace
The 18-metre golden Buddha is the centre of the temple and can be seen from far away. Visitors kneel and pray before it.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Day-of-the-week Buddhas
Around the main image
Smaller Buddha images, one for each day of the week, surround the big Buddha. Thai visitors pray at the one for the day they were born.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Views over Pattaya and Jomtien
Terrace
From the hilltop you look out over the city and towards Jomtien.
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Local food
Kuay teow
Pattaya, Thailand
Thai noodle soup with pork or beef, eaten at simple shops at any time of day.
Mango sticky rice
Pattaya, Thailand
Ripe mango with sweet sticky rice and coconut cream.
Where to eat
Pratumnak restaurants
Pratumnak Hill
Small restaurants on the roads around the hill serve Thai food.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Jomtien Night Market
Jomtien
A short ride south for street food in the evening.
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Where to stay
Pratumnak
Pattaya, Thailand
Quiet hill location between Pattaya and Jomtien, close to the temple.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Jomtien
Pattaya, Thailand
A relaxed beach area at the foot of the hill.
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Culture
This is a working temple. Cover shoulders and knees, take off your shoes where signs ask, and never point your feet at a Buddha image. Do not sit or climb on statues for photos.
History
Wat Phra Yai's golden seated Buddha has watched over Pattaya since the 1970s, when the town was still a fishing village. Smaller Buddha images for each day of the week surround it.
Tour plans
Temple and viewpoint loop
Half dayStep 1: Wat Phra Yai
Climb the naga stairs and visit the Big Buddha.
Step 2: Pattaya Viewpoint
Drive a few minutes to the bay viewpoint.
Step 3: Dongtan Beach
End with a swim or a walk at the north end of Jomtien.
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to February; come in the morning or late afternoon, when the stairs and the terrace are cooler.
How to get there
On Pratumnak Hill, a few minutes from Pattaya Viewpoint by car.
Getting around
Baht buses (blue songthaew pick-ups) loop one way along Beach Road and back along Second Road; wave one down, ride, and press the buzzer to get off. Other songthaews run to Jomtien and Naklua. Grab and Bolt cars and motorbike taxis work across the city, and are the easiest way to reach Pratumnak Hill or places south of town. Scooters can be rented, but you need a licence valid for motorbikes and a helmet.
Travel tips
Cover shoulders and knees and take your shoes off before entering the halls. Sarongs are usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance.