Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha / Guan Yin)
Hilltop temple crowned by a ~79 m white Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) statue with a nine-tier pagoda and a lift offering valley views.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free; lift up the Guan Yin statue ~40 THB (as of 2026)
- Hours
- Daily, approx 07:00-21:00; statue lift approx 07:00-18:00 (confirm locally)
- Best time
- Morning for clear valley views; sunset for photos.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
About Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha / Guan Yin)
This is the underrated one. A hilltop temple topped by a towering white Guan Yin statue, the Goddess of Mercy, plus a nine-tier pagoda, and there's a lift inside the statue that takes you up for valley views.
Because it's free and a bit further out with limited public transport, it draws a fraction of the crowds that swarm the White and Blue temples. That alone makes it feel more like a real visit and less like a photo scrum.
Come in the morning for the clearest views over the valley, or time it for sunset if photos are your priority. Worth the short ride out.
Highlights
- Towering white Guan Yin statue on a hilltop
- Nine-tier pagoda
- Lift inside the statue for valley views
- Far fewer crowds than the White and Blue temples
Tips
- Come in the morning for the clearest valley views
- You'll likely need a Grab or taxi, public transport is limited
- Free to enter, with a small fee for the statue lift
- Sunset is best if photos are your main goal
How to get there
~9 km NW of the centre. Grab/taxi ~120-180 THB, 15-20 min. Limited public transport.