Buddha image on the rock of Khao Chi Chan. Golden Buddha Mountain in Pattaya Mountain in Thailand with an image of God
Temple Big Buddha in Pattaya it is the main attraction of the city and a local shrine where Thais come to pray. If you want to get to know the traditions and faith of the local people better, be sure to visit this temple. Calm and tranquility reign here. If you wish, you can receive a monk's blessing and a string for good luck. And on the observation deck of the temple you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Pattaya.
The Big Buddha area is quite large temple complex. Down below the stairs to the main Deity there are many shops with souvenirs, clothes and other goods. But since this tourist place, prices here are often inflated.
You can also buy birds in a cage and release them. Thais believe that with such a gesture a person clears his karma. But I think this is a strange idea. First, a person takes away freedom from birds, and then gives it to them. Well, thank you! Isn’t it more correct not to take away freedom from the birds at all?! Therefore, it is better not to be fooled by this. Then traders will realize that their idea is not in demand and will stop catching birds. Well, or at least there will be fewer caged birds. As you know, demand creates supply.
Bells hang near the stairs to the Big Buddha. There is a belief that if you hit each of these bells with a stick and at the same time make an intangible wish during each strike, then all of them will soon come true. I recommend checking if this is true.
Big Buddha statue
The Buddha statue is guarded by two 7-headed sacred Nagas dragons, which are located along the stairs leading up. There are 120 steps leading to the Big Buddha, the climb is not steep, so it won’t be difficult to climb.
After going up the stairs, you will see a small temple, where it is recommended to undergo a purification ceremony before visiting the main statue of the Big Buddha. To do this, you need to take off your shoes, go to the monk and sit on your knees. The monk will read mantras to you, put a string on your hand for good luck, and sprinkle holy water on your head. During this procedure, you should make a wish. It is believed that when you lose the string tied to your hand by a monk, your wish will come true.
After this, you are ready to meet the Big Buddha sitting at the very top of the hill. The statue is 15 m high and 10 m wide. The Big Buddha statue was originally painted white, but relatively recently it was repainted gold. At the foot of the statue there is an altar where you can pray, light candles and ask for well-being and health.
Next to the main statue are smaller Buddha statues in different poses, some of them sitting in the lotus position, others lying down, and some even standing. There is a fat Buddha here who is in charge of welfare. He has a hole in his stomach where you can throw coins for the temple donation. There are also 7 Buddha statues that represent each day of the week.
The Big Buddha Temple is also famous for its observation deck, which offers stunning panoramic views of Pattaya.
Chinese park
Next to the Big Buddha Temple there is a Chinese park, which I also recommend you visit. Here you can see a statue of the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Confucius, Lao Tzu, a huge bell and many other Chinese figures. On the territory of the park there is a pond where carps and turtles live.
This park is suitable for a calm and peaceful holiday; there are always few people here. The park will also allow you to touch Chinese culture and traditions. And if you get hungry, you can have a snack at a restaurant located in the park.
Working hours
The Big Buddha Temple is open to visitors daily from 7am to 10pm. It's better to come here after lunch, as it's not so hot. Visiting the temple is free. But donations are always welcome.
What to wear?
Appropriate clothing is required to visit the Big Buddha Temple. Shorts, tops, swimsuits are not allowed, shoulders and legs must be covered.
How to get there?
The Big Buddha Temple is located between Phappraya Rd and Phra Tamnak on the top of Pratamnak Hill. You can get to it by taxi, songthaew, your own transport, or by ordering an excursion to the temple.
A taxi ride to the temple will cost you 150-200 baht on average. More a budget option- this is songthaew. The cost of a trip on such transport is 10-20 baht. However, by songthaew you can only get to the fork, then you will have to walk, following the signs it is not difficult to do.
You can book an excursion to the Big Buddha Temple at any nearby travel agency.
Big Buddha on the map
You can see the exact location of the Big Buddha in Pattaya on this map. She will help you get to the temple if you decide to go there by your own transport.
Our plans for today are to visit Golden Buddha Mountain in Pattaya. For Thais this is a sacred place. The largest, apparently, rock image of Buddha was built there. It will also be interesting for us because of the unique beauty of the surrounding nature. It was created quite recently, in 1996. Thailand then celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of its King Bhumibol Adulyadej IX. The figure of the saint, whose height is 160 meters, and the width of the Buddha’s closed legs at the knees is seventy, was carved into the rock in just two days using laser technology.
After the Buddha image was erected on grief Khao Chi Chan, resort Pattaya city, which is located 15 km from it, has become not only tourist center, but also a place of worship for the Thais themselves. They expressed their loyalty to the King and religious awe of the Buddha by decorating the mountain with gold leaf. This is the only precedent in the entire Buddhist world when the Golden Buddha Mountain, located under open air, decorated in a similar way. For tourists, a mountain with a Buddha image carved into its slope is called “ Golden Buddha Mountain", but officially its name is much more magnificent and solemn: "His Majesty Buddha is beautiful and chaste, like Maha Vachira".
For the Thais, such decoration truly became a religious sacrifice - for such a large image of the Golden Buddha they had to spend a total of about three million dollars in gold. Of this impressive amount for Thailand, almost a third was collected by local residents. At the foot of the mountain there is a magnificent, lush oriental garden and two lakes, the surface of which is decorated with blooming lotuses.
The whole atmosphere of the park on Golden Buddha Mountain in Pattaya promotes peace and meditation. But this does not mean that everything is left to Divine Providence, which will protect the surrounding beauty. The site, which the Royal Family of Thailand considers their "home church", is protected by Thai guards. This park is open not only to royalty; ordinary Thais can also worship their deity here. For this purpose, many places have been organized where you can pray and make offerings. Tourists are also allowed there.
Oddly enough, it is the tourists who are most numerous here. A line stretching towards Mount of the Golden Buddha, simply endless. Thais are calm about the endless photo sessions of Russians, Chinese, and Japanese. They believe that touching their deity can spiritually enrich everyone. However, you should not abuse their tolerance.
Video filming of Khao Chi Chan mountain from a quadcopter
Screenshot from the website yelo-rinpoche.ru, press service of the datsan "Rinpoche Bagsha"
Thousands of believers presented offerings to the Great Teacher [photo, video]
On Saturday, September 10, Venerable Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche performed a ritual to consecrate the 33-meter-high image of Buddha Shakyamuni, carved on the Bayan Khongor rock. Last year, a statue of Buddha, custom-made in India, was erected on a hill near the village of Bayangol, and three stupas of reconciliation were consecrated. The following year, the people of Bayangol asked for help in building 8 stupas around Lake Mogoi. It is planned to place 4 thousand figurines of various Buddhist deities in the suburgans.
Buddha Shakyamuni on Mount Bayan-Khongor near the village of Bayangol is a unique creation. It will be awarded the title of the largest Buddha image in Russia and will be included in the list of the largest Buddha images in the world.
Idea, build giant buddha, residents of Bayangol said at a village meeting. They approached the datsan on Bald Mountain in Ulan-Ude with this initiative by Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche. The rector supported the people's proposal. Moreover, as it turned out, this was his long-time dream.
Big Buddha is a great benefit for all of Russia
“About 15-16 years ago we visited the “heart” of Baikal for the first time - Olkhon Island, went on a boat along the Irkutsk shore,” recalls Rinpoche’s closest student Geshe Lharamba Tenzin Lama, “Majestic rocks growing out of the water surface and rushing into the sky , impressed Bagsha with their beauty and power. And then he had an idea - to make a large statue of the World Precious Teacher Buddha Shakyamuni in the rock. In Asian countries this is an ancient tradition, but in Russia there was nothing like it.”
Help website: The world's largest and oldest Buddha carved into a rock is located in Chinese province Sichuan. Its height is 71 meters, age is about 1200 years. It took almost 90 years to build. The most big statue in the world - also Buddhas. And it is also located in China, in Henan province. The 128-meter monument depicts Buddha Vairochana, one of the five sacred Buddhas who personify wisdom. The idea to create a grandiose shrine came to the Chinese after the Taliban barbarically destroyed two huge Buddha statues in Afghanistan in 2001. Their age was dated to the 6th century AD.
“Then we began to look for a suitable object. On Baikal it was difficult to do this purely technically. They also searched in other areas. Sometimes there were rocks that were too low, sometimes too high, sometimes too prominent. And last year, when we also installed a statue of Buddha near Bayangol, but a small one, one meter high, made to special order in India from onyx, I noticed the neighboring rock. It was ideal for realizing the Teacher’s idea - smooth, beautiful and quite high, about fifty meters. And most importantly - ideally located!
Typically, Buddhist shrines are built “facing” south, be they temples, stupas or statues. We consciously wanted to move a little away from this tradition and make sure that the Buddha’s gaze was directed towards Moscow and other large Russian cities. In such a difficult time, it was simply necessary to do this for the benefit of the entire country and all living beings! At all times, the construction of Buddha statues, stupas, and datsans was considered a very beneficial deed. In the places where they appear, everything comes into harmony. In nature, various kinds of disasters cease, mutual understanding comes into people’s relationships, they get sick less and die from accidents, all living things find peace and tranquility,” says Tenzin Lama.
“But the Teacher then said that the time had not yet come. And now, a year later, the residents of the Khorinsky district themselves came up with this proposal. The Bayan-Khongor rock has long been considered among the Khorin Buryats sacred place. Here, residents of the village of Bayan-Gol 2 times a year - in the summer and on the second day of Sagaalgan - hold oboo, and throughout the year they often come to worship the shrines. The so-called munkhanas are installed here - small houses in which thangkas and figurines of Buddhist deities are located. Last year a Buddha statue and 3 stupas appeared. Rinpoche thought about it for a long time and finally agreed. Moreover, this is the birthplace of his root Teacher.
Website reference: Venerable Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche was born in Tibet in 1943. At the age of three he was recognized as the fourth rebirth of Yelo Rinpoche. In Tibet, such people are called tuluku - it is believed that they consciously continue the chain of their rebirths, devoting their lives to helping all living beings.
From the age of seven, Yelo Rinpoche devoted himself to monasticism and the study of Buddhist philosophy. In 1959, due to the occupation of Tibet by China, he left his homeland and moved through the kingdom of Bhutan to India, where he continued his studies.
The root Teacher of Yeshe Lodoya Rinpoche is Lama Dulva-hambo Thubten Choki, a Buryat by nationality. The renowned tantra master taught Yelo Rinpoche a course in vinaya - monastic discipline. Also, under the leadership of a lama from Buryatia, the Venerable Agwan-Nima, in 1979 Yelo Rinpoche defended the title of “Geshe-lharamba” - the highest Buddhist academic degree. In 1993, at the request of the Buryat clergy and on behalf of His Holiness, he arrived in Buryatia, in Ivolginsky datsan for teaching at the Tashi Choinohrling Buddhist Institute. Since then, Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche remained to live and work in Buryatia, for the benefit of all living beings and the prosperity of the Dharma.
In 1999, at an audience with the Dalai Lama, Yelo Rinpoche conveyed the requests of believers from Buryatia to open a Buddhist center and received His Holiness’s blessing to begin construction. 5 years later, in 2004, the opening of the Rinpoche Bagsha datsan took place on Bald Mountain in Ulan-Ude.
The plan was implemented quite quickly. All necessary approvals have been passed. Sponsors, craftsmen, and artists were found. Locals actively helped during construction. The image of Shakyamuni Buddha was made as majestic as possible, but with minimal impact on nature. They did not carve a full-fledged statue or bas-relief. They just removed the top layer of the rock, drew the outlines of the World Teacher seated in the lotus position and painted it.
The height of the image is exactly 33 meters. In Buddhism, this number also has its own sacred meaning. It is believed that there is the most high world on Earth, the so-called Trayastrimsha - “World of 33 Gods” or “Collection of 33 Gods”, which is located on the top of Mount Sumeru. Trayastrimsha is often mentioned in Buddhist texts when the Buddha ascends to the Thirty-three Gods, or the gods of this world themselves descend to earth to meet the Buddha.
“The creation of the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is not accidental. Buddha Shakyamuni, the highest nirmanakaya, was born in our world, performed twelve feats, including turning the Wheel of the Teaching. All the time that the Buddha’s Teaching remains in the world, it is an incomparable, limitless cure for the diseases of our obscurations and suffering. Let the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni become a symbol of the unification of our pure intentions in the implementation of the teachings and a symbol of the fact that the Buddhist teachings - the dharma that the Buddha gave 2500 years ago, and now resides in our world,” says the teacher.
About 4 thousand people attended the Ramney ritual. 80 buses transported pilgrims from the Square of Soviets free of charge. After the consecration ritual, a festive concert and sports competitions took place.
Interview with Venerable Yeshe Loda Rinpoche:
- At the end of the ritual, a symbolic million flowers were offered to the image of Buddha? Is this some kind of tradition?
When a Buddha statue is created, the image of Buddha is a great virtue. And when an image of such a gigantic size is created, it is also a huge, incomparable virtue! Accordingly, the larger, richer and more beautiful the offerings, the more good merit we accumulate. And flowers in Buddhism are a traditional type of offering, along with white food, sweets and fruits.
- Why is the height of the Buddha image exactly 33 meters?
In the Buddhist tradition there is such a good attitude towards the number “33”, there is even an abode of the gods of 33 deities. Initially, it was not planned to make the image so large, but when they measured the rock, it turned out that it was about 55 meters high. Then they decided to make it exactly 33 meters. It fits in very harmoniously. This is also a kind of sign.
Now we can say with full responsibility that we were in Pattaya - we laughed when we arrived at the mountain with the image of the golden Buddha. In Thai, the Golden Buddha Mountain is called Khao Chi Chan.
Khao Chi Chan Pattaya
Golden Buddha Mountain Khao Chi Chan is one of those places where, according to people, you must visit if you come to Pattaya.
About 20 years ago, an image of Buddha was carved in gold on an impressive rock (130 meters high). This idea cost $3 million. Now this place is carefully guarded. I wonder if there are people who want to pick out a piece of gold for themselves as a souvenir of their magical vacation?
Near the rock there is a decorative pond and a small park with gazebos. For 100 baht you can buy a frame with your photo against the backdrop of a golden Buddha on a rock.
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.
Reviews about the attraction
There is nothing else to see here except the rock. Therefore, it is not worth coming specifically to Khao Chi Chan. Only if the rock with the golden Buddha is one of the places in your program for exploring the southern surroundings of Pattaya, such as Silverlake Vineyards, a tropical garden or a water park. You can also look here on the way to Military Beach or.
- 10 minutes is enough for a thoughtful inspection of the rock and photos.
- Opening hours: from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- The entrance is free.
Video from quadcopter
Bird's eye view video of the mountain with the rock carving of the Golden Buddha and the surrounding area.
How to get to Khao Chi Chan
You can only get there by bike or car. Near the mountain there is free parking, toilets and a couple of shops.
On public transport There’s no way to get there, since tuk-tuks don’t go here. Theoretically, you can try to drive along Sukhumvit to the turn to Silverlake, and there find a taxi or a motorbike, since walking from Sukhumvit is not an option, the distance is about 5 km along a road without a sidewalk.
Mount Khao Chi Chan on the map
Coordinates: 12.766674, 100.956457
We continue to visit the sights of Pattaya that we did not have time to see on our first trips to Thailand. This time we visited the Golden Buddha Mountain Khao Chi Chan.
Golden Buddha Mountain is located a little further than the Wat Yan temple complex. We described in detail how to get there on your own in a post about Wat Yan. There are many signs along the way to the attraction, and the mountain itself can be seen from afar, so it’s very difficult to get lost here. Admission is free at any time.
The image of Buddha on the rock was made relatively recently in 1996, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reign of the now enthroned King of Thailand, Rama 9. The creation of this monument was initiated by the king’s son. The height of the Buddha is 160 meters. This is the largest Buddha image made of gold. It was applied to the rock in a very modern way, using a laser. This process took two days, after which it was filled with gold over the course of two months.
Near the mountain there is a large pond in which lotuses grow. Small gazebos for meditation are scattered throughout the park. The place is very beautiful and peaceful. It was very unexpected to see a large well-kept park at the foot of the mountain; I thought everything was much simpler there.
A few meters from the mountain is another attraction of Pattaya: Silver Lake Vineyard
Our visit to Golden Buddha Mountain coincided with the annual Khao Chi Chan Lantern Festival. This is a very large-scale and colorful event, which includes performances of traditional Thai Khon theater, as well as a large parade of all the participants of the holiday. There were many high-ranking guests at the festival, who took turns making welcoming speeches and then leaving their lanterns at the foot of the Golden Buddha Mountain. It was very interesting.
Video from the Lantern Festival:
Friends! If you want to book this or any other excursion in Pattaya at the most favorable prices, then contact us:
- Tel. in Thailand: 0-972-011-905;
- WhatsApp: +66-97-201-1905;
- Viber: +66-97-201-1905;
Payment:
- To order any day excursions no prepayment required!
- For excursions with hotel reservations, the prepayment is 500 baht (via electronic wallets or transfer to a card).
- All excursions must be paid directly upon boarding the bus on the day of the tour (payment in Thai baht);
We will be happy to help you organize your holiday in Pattaya!