Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The Great Buddha stands atop Nakkerd Hill in southern Phuket, between Chalong and Kata. The 45-meter-high, seated Buddha statue is clad in white Burmese marble. Its official name is Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri. Construction began in 2004, and the foundation is still being funded by donations. The Buddha is visible from much of the southern part of the island, and the terrace offers a magnificent view of Kata, Karon, and the entire Chalong Bay.

It was closed for 18 months. A landslide on the hillside on August 23, 2024, claimed 13 lives. The site was subsequently closed for safety inspections and an investigation into construction work in the wooded area. It reopened on March 3, 2026, and the statue, stairs, temple area, and terraces are once again accessible. Any map still showing the closure is outdated.

Entry is free; donations are welcome. The updated Phuket 101 guidebook lists opening hours since reopening as 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM), while Google Maps still shows 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM. It's best to plan your visit around the later opening hours. Mornings are cool and quiet, while late afternoon offers the most beautiful light on the west coast. Allow 90 minutes to two hours, including a break at one of the roadside cafes.

This is a religious site, so shoulders and knees should be covered. Free sarongs are available at the entrance if you arrive in beachwear. The road branches off Chaofa West Road and is signposted from Chalong Circle; it is paved throughout. Alternatively, you can walk from Karon via a steep, 2.5 km path from Patak Road, which takes about an hour.