Wat Phra Khao Yai or Big Buddha Hill
In between Pattaya and Jomtien Beach on top of Pratumnak Hill sits an 18-meter tall Buddha that rises through the skyline. The Big Buddha, the largest in Pattaya, is located in Wat Phra Khao Yai, a temple that was built in the 1940s when Pattaya was only a small fishing village.
Today, locals come to pray at the temple while tourists flock it to see the giant Buddha and the smaller Buddha statues around it. The staircase leading to the temple is decorated with golden dragons that have seven-headed mythical snakes emerging from their mouths.
Several Buddhas in different postures are also on display to represent the days of the week. On top of the temple, you’ll also see parts of Jomtien Beach, which is another popular tourist attraction in Pattaya.
Aside from exploring the temple grounds, you can also have yourself blessed by a monk for a small donation or you can leave a donation in the pavilion hall next to the big Buddha. Some visitors also ring the line of bells with a big stick, which is believed to bring good luck.
No visit to Pattaya would be complete without admiring the magnificence of the Big Buddha and the rest of Wat Phra Khao Yai.