Apart from idyllic beaches, Koh Samui in Thailand also features fascinating Buddhist and Chinese temples worth visiting, like those mentioned below.
Big Buddha Temple
A popular local attraction, the Big Buddha Temple is famed for its golden Buddha statue that towers to a height of around 12 metres. Located on the island’s northern coast and within easy reach of properties like Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, it’s an ideal place to soak up local culture and enjoy great views too.
Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem is close to the Big Buddha Temple and easily accessible from a SHA+ certified Samui resort in the Bophut area. Highlights include an impressive 18-armed statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin, as well as Buddhist-themed art and a large Chinese Buddha on a lake that has fish you can feed too.
Wat Khunaram
Amongst the most intriguing temples in Koh Samui, Wat Khunaram is home to the “mummified monk”. What is sure to be a unique sight for foreign travellers, the temple offers a chance to view the mummified remains (though with little decay) of Luang Por Daeng, a revered monk who passed away while meditating.
Wat Ratchathammaram
You can also visit the Buddhist temple known as Wat Ratchathammaram constructed from distinctive red clay. Its name translates to “stone snake” so it will come as little surprise that you will find snakes carved in stone at the site along with scenes of the life of Buddha carved on the walls and delightful vistas of the east coast.
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