What this place is
Khao Chi Chan (“Buddha Mountain”) stands in Na Chom Thian, Sattahip district, south of Pattaya. It is a limestone mountain of about 0.25 sq km, with a summit of about 248 m according to the Department of Mineral Resources data quoted in the Department of Tourism directory. It became famous for the image of a seated Buddha on its sheer face: the outline is cut by laser and filled with gold.
What the Department of Tourism directory says:
- Pose. Subduing Mara, the Buddha seated on a lotus base
- Style. A blend of Sukhothai and Lanna art
- Size. The figure is about 109 m tall and 70 m wide, the base 21 m, 130 m in all
- Name. The king gave the image the name Phra Phuttha Maha Wachira Uttamopat Satsada
- Link to the monastery. The site belongs to Wat Yansangwararam Woramahawihan, and the directory names the Royal Thai Marine Corps as the responsible body
Why the image is on the mountain
According to the directory, limestone was being blasted from the mountain, and the patriarch (then Somdet Phra Yannasangwon, abbot of Wat Bowonniwet) decided to save it by creating a sanctuary there. A committee chose the form of the image, and Wikipedia says the laser engraving was done in January 1996: the outline was cut into the limestone and then inlaid with gold. The year 2539 in the Buddhist calendar, which is 1996, is visible on the cliff. Wikipedia says the work marks the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign.
Opening hours and how to spend your time
The Department of Tourism directory lists the grounds as open daily 6:00-18:00. Thai Holiday Guide gives 8:00-18:00: the closing time matches and the opening time is worth checking, so arrive after 8:00. No source names an entry fee, so we do not quote a price.
- Plaza in front of the cliff. A spacious lawn and paved area from where you can see the whole face. People take photos and sit in the shade here
- Monastery grounds. A short look at the pavilions and shrines at the foot, dressed as for a temple
- Time. Thaipedia estimate: about an hour including a walk around the grounds. Thai Holiday Guide says 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
How to get there
From Central Pattaya it is 23.4 km and about 22 minutes by car without traffic, by OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data (route). The directory gives the location as Na Chom Thian subdistrict, Sattahip district, Chonburi.
- Taxi or Grab. The easiest option if you agree on waiting time: it is harder to find a car on site
- Songthaew. According to Thai Holiday Guide there is no direct bus, people go by songthaew from Pattaya
- Your own transport. The directory lists bicycle, motorcycle and car as ways to arrive
What is nearby
- Nong Nooch Garden. 7.4 km and about 15 minutes, see Nong Nooch
- Pattaya Floating Market. 14.0 km and about 13 minutes, see the floating market
- Wat Yansangwararam monastery. Next to the mountain, part of the same complex as Khao Chi Chan according to the directory
When to go
The grounds are open all year and the sources show no seasonal hours. Dry months, November-March, are the best choice. By TMD norms Pattaya gets 11.7 mm of rain in December and 224.5 mm in October. More in Pattaya in October.
What to do in the rain
The site is open-air and most of the visit happens under the sky. In a heavy shower wait in the car or under the awning of the building on the plaza and come back when it eases. If it rains all day, pick another destination from the overview of excursions from Pattaya.
Safety
- Monkeys. Wikipedia says about 1,000 monkeys lived around the mountain in 2015 (Forest department data). Do not feed them, do not carry food in your hands, keep bags closed
- Heat. There is little shade on the plaza, bring water and a hat
- Clothing. This is a shrine: covered shoulders and knees, no swimwear
- Rocks. Do not climb the slopes: a climb is not described in the directory and the mountain is steep
What to bring
- Water and a hat
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees
- Cash for water and a donation
- A charged phone or a camera with zoom: a figure over 100 m tall looks different in wide and close-up shots
Who it suits and who it does not
- Suits anyone short on time. About an hour is enough, and it is on the way to Nong Nooch
- Suits families. A flat plaza and lawn, but hot and without much shade
- Does not suit anyone expecting a programme. There is no guide and no show
- Does not suit anyone who wants to climb the mountain. No source describes a climb
FAQ
What time does Khao Chi Chan open and how much is entry?
The Department of Tourism directory lists daily 6:00-18:00. Thai Holiday Guide gives 8:00-18:00, so to be safe arrive after 8:00. The directory names no entry fee and we do not quote a price.
How big is the golden Buddha: 109 or 130 metres?
Both numbers are right for different parts. The directory gives the figure of the Buddha as about 109 m tall and 70 m wide, with a 21 m lotus base, 130 m in all. The English summary in the same directory says 130 m tall, so sources differ.
How do I get to Khao Chi Chan from Pattaya?
By taxi or Grab: 23.4 km and about 22 minutes from Central Pattaya without traffic by OSRM. According to Thai Holiday Guide there is no direct bus, so people use a taxi, Grab or songthaew. You can combine it with Nong Nooch Garden, 7.4 km and about 15 minutes away.
What is the image made of and when was it made?
The directory says the Subduing Mara Buddha is cut into the cliff by laser in a style that blends Sukhothai and Lanna art. The outline is filled with gold. Wikipedia dates the work to 1996, for the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol's reign, and the number 2539 (1996) is visible on the cliff.
What should I wear and can I feed the monkeys?
This is a shrine linked to Wat Yansangwararam, so cover shoulders and knees. We found no separate rules for the viewing plaza in primary sources, this is the general rule for temples. Wikipedia, citing the Forest department, says about 1,000 monkeys lived around the mountain in 2015. Do not feed them and keep bags closed.
How long do I need at Khao Chi Chan?
About an hour: the plaza in front of the cliff, photos and a walk around the grounds. Thai Holiday Guide estimates 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Add 22 minutes of driving each way and a stop at Nong Nooch nearby.
Can I climb the mountain?
A climb to the summit is not described in the directory and we do not recommend it: the mountain is steep, about 248 m high, and the cliff with the image is almost vertical. People view the image from below, from the plaza.
Sources
- Department of Tourism of Thailand. Thailand Tourism Directory: Buddha Mountain (Khao Chi Chan)
- Department of Tourism of Thailand. Thailand Tourism Directory: Khao Chi Chan
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Central Pattaya to Khao Chi Chan
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Nong Nooch to Khao Chi Chan
- Wikipedia. Buddha Mountain (Thailand): general information, year of creation
- Thai Holiday Guide. Khao Chi Chan Buddha Mountain
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