Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill)
An 18 m golden seated Buddha atop Pratumnak Hill, flanked by seven day-of-the-week Buddha images and city views.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free (donations welcome)
- Hours
- Daily approx 06:00-22:00 (confirm locally)
- Best time
- Early morning or sunset; combine with the nearby viewpoint
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
About Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill)
Wat Phra Yai sits up on Pratumnak Hill with a big golden seated Buddha as its centrepiece, ringed by the seven day-of-the-week Buddha images and looking out over the city. It's central, free and easy to reach, which makes it a natural quick stop.
It's genuinely worth a look, just keep expectations in check. Being so accessible, it fills up with tour buses at times, so it can feel busier than its size warrants. Early morning or sunset is when it's calmest and prettiest.
Since you're already up the hill, combine it with the nearby Pratumnak viewpoint. Dress respectfully here, shoulders and knees covered, as it's an active temple.
Highlights
- Large golden seated Buddha on Pratumnak Hill
- Seven day-of-the-week Buddha images
- City views from the hilltop
- Free and central
Tips
- Come early morning or at sunset to avoid the tour buses
- Cover your shoulders and knees
- Combine it with the nearby Pratumnak viewpoint
- A baht bus toward Jomtien plus a short climb is the cheap way up
How to get there
On Pratumnak Hill between Pattaya and Jomtien, ~3.5 km south of Central Pattaya. Baht bus toward Jomtien then short climb, or Grab/taxi 10-15 min (~80-150 THB).