Koh Samui sightseeing
As is the case in many parts of Thailand, Samui’s temples offer some of the best sight seeing and photographic opportunities on the island. The ‘wat’ is an integral part of Thai life, and as well as being the location for religious ceremonies and worship these ornate locations also host meetings of the local council and even act as a venue for fun fairs and concerts. A visit to the temple provides an interesting insight into local life, but visitors must remember to dress appropriately with knees and shoulders covered, and not to disturb the calm, meditative atmosphere. If you get a bit tired of temples, there are several other interesting sites on the islands to offer a change from the beach.
The number one sightseeing attraction on Samui is perhaps Wat Phra Yai is a much visited temple where the famous golden Buddha statue graces the headland separating Ban Plai Laem from Big Buddha beach. The twelve metre smiling deity, which gives ‘Big Buddha beach it’s name, dominates the temple grounds, offering some excellent photo opportunities, particularly at sunset. The upper platform is lined with huge prayer bells and at the entrance to the temple you can see the island’s only fully automated donation machine. There are some excellent souvenir and craft shops scattered around the car parking area, including a skilled silversmith and a Batik painter, as well as a cafes and even a tattoo artist. During big festivals like Songkran (Thai New Year in April) and Loi Kratong (The Festival of Light in November) the temple at Big Buddha comes alive with food stalls, beauty competitions, but concerts but on a normal day there’s an air of tranquillity that feels far more appropriate to such a picture perfect setting.
Another sighseeing gem on Samui is Wat Ban Plai Leam, a newly constructed and very ornate temple just around the corner from the Big Buddha statue. Designed by a Thai artist, the outside features a huge multi-limbed statue of the Goddess Shiva, while the inside walls are decorated with pictorial representations from the life of the Lord Buddha. The elaborate entry doors were made from two giant slabs of hardwood and carved with images from the life of the Buddha. Thai artist Jarit Phumdonming spent more than three years adding the finer details to the temple’s external walls and has produced a kaleidoscope of colour and design. The tradition of temple art dates back centuries and Wat Ban Plai Laem provides a good example of the influences and styles that are still important in modern Thai religious architecture.
Wat Khunaram is Samui’s famous shrine to the mummified monk, known when alive as Lung Padaeng. This highly respected monk was carefully preserved when he died around 20 years ago, and today still sits in a glass case meditating. There is a special gazebo to protect him from the elements and next to his bandaged form you can read your fortune using ancient numerology sticks. The temple itself is quite modern and located on the opposite side of the road from the Namuang waterfalls not far from Hua Thanon fishing village, on the Southern side of the island.
The Secret Buddha Garden is not a temple, but feels like one. It is located high in the hills above Ban Saket in the southwest of Samui up a winding road that leads from the main road through a military zone to one of Samui’s most attractive and bizarre sights. In a small valley, a 77-year old Buddhist devotee sculpted and placed figures from his dreams along a flowing mountain stream. Uncle Nim’s statues are a sight to behold, as are the views from this spectacular mountain location.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai are the islands’ most visited attraction after the Big Buddha temple. Called Grandfather and Grandmother Rock in English, and situated a few kilometres south west of Lamai, these two ancient stones have been slowly moulded by sea, wind and rain into surprisingly accurate representations of male and female genitalia. A sight well worth a photo, or a giggle, and there are some good little shops selling coconut handicrafts on the road that leads down to the rocks.
To get a glimpse of traditional Thai island life, head for the south of the island where you can wander among the coconut plantations and small villages that display life as it was before the tourists arrived. Here you’ll find the little Moslem fishing village at Laem Set.
Waterfalls are another great attraction on Samui and there are plenty of them, tumbling out of the hilly interior after the rainy season. In the dry season, from about March until September, they all by dry up, but retain a cool climate in their gorges which supports a wonderful eco-system. Mostly they are clustered on the southern side of the island and Na Muang falls is the easiest to get to and probably the best, with two separate tiers. Also in the area you’ll come across several smaller falls such as Wangsaotong falls as you follow the road to the secret statue garden. Near Nathon is Hin Lad falls, which is popular but the 40 minute hike to get to it can disappoint you in the dry season.
From the top of the hills, which can be accessed from a road up the southern side, there are some fantastic views of the mainland, as well as a couple of restaurants. If you don’t feel like driving all the way up in the wholly sealed road, you can go as far as the overlap stone, which is a five minute drive. Lookout for the signpost along the main 4173 road that circles the island.
