Secret Buddha Garden (Tar Nim / Magic Garden)
A hillside garden high in Samui's interior, dotted with statues of deities, animals and humans built by a local farmer from the 1970s, amid streams and jungle views.
- Category
- Attractions & Landmarks
- Entrance fee
- Entry fee, as of 2026 roughly 80 THB (confirm locally)
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 08:00–17:00 (daylight); confirm locally
- Best time
- Morning for cooler climb and clearer jungle views
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Difficulty
- Access is hard — a very steep, potholed mountain track; the garden itself is an easy walk
About Secret Buddha Garden (Tar Nim / Magic Garden)
Up in Samui's jungle interior, this hillside garden is a peaceful, slightly surreal spot: statues of deities, animals and people scattered among streams and greenery, all built by a local farmer starting in the 1970s. The views over the jungle are lovely, and once you're up there it's an easy, calm wander.
The honest issue is getting there. The access road is genuinely steep, potholed and dangerous for inexperienced scooter riders, and this is not the place to test your riding skills. Going with a tour or a capable driver in a 4x4 is by far the smart move.
Come in the morning for a cooler climb and clearer views. If the road situation puts you off, that's a completely reasonable call; plenty of people visit as part of an organised trip rather than driving it themselves.
Highlights
- Hillside garden full of statues of deities, animals and people
- Built by a local farmer from the 1970s
- Streams and jungle views
- Peaceful, offbeat spot in Samui's interior
Tips
- Don't ride up on a scooter unless you're very experienced
- Go with a tour or a capable 4x4 driver
- Come in the morning for a cooler climb and clearer views
- The garden itself is an easy walk once you're up
How to get there
About 40–50 min from Chaweng; a steep, rough mountain road inland from Route 4169 near Wat Khunaram — a 4x4 or experienced driver is strongly advised (many tours/taxis go up)