Phuket Big Buddha: Hours, Dress Code and How to Visit
Phuket Big Buddha reopened in early March 2026 after a landslide closure and entry is free. The gate is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as of Sep 2026. Cover your shoulders, chest and knees, and borrow a sarong at the entry if you need one. The 45 metre white marble statue sits on Nakkerd Hill near Chalong.
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Phuket Big Buddha reopened in early March 2026, and entry is free. Plan to arrive early, dress with shoulders, chest and knees covered, and a 45 metre marble statue facing Chalong Bay is waiting at the top. Wat Chalong, which opens at 7:00 a.m., makes an easy second stop.
Phuket Big Buddha opening hours and dress code
The gate is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as of Sep 2026, matching the 18:30 closing on Maps. We recommend checking the gate on arrival, since access has changed more than once.
Entry is free, and you can leave a donation if you like.
The Big Buddha is part of the Wat Kata temple, so the dress code is strict. Cover your shoulders to your knees as a sign of respect, and leave sleeveless tops and shorts above the knee at home.
If you turn up in the wrong clothes, there is an area at the entrance where you can borrow a sarong. Shoes never go inside a temple building. Speak quietly and do not touch statues or relics.
What to see at the Big Buddha
The seated Buddha is 45 metres tall and 25.45 metres wide. It is concrete covered with Burmese white marble and is the third-tallest statue in Thailand. Its official name is Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri.
It sits on Nakkerd Hill near Chalong and faces Chalong Bay.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
- Good for early risers: the gate opens half an hour before Wat Chalong does.
- Good for a temple stop that fits a half day: Wat Chalong is close and free to enter.
- Good for anyone with a car or ride-hailing app: Grab and Bolt both work in Phuket.
- Skip it at 2 p.m.: it is hot and there are a lot of stairs.
- Skip beachwear: sleeveless tops and shorts above the knee are not allowed.
How to get to the Big Buddha
The Big Buddha sits on Nakkerd Hill near Chalong. Grab covers private hire, taxi, van and motorcycle rides across Thailand, and Bolt offers local taxis in Phuket.
Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
When to go
We recommend arriving early: by 9:00 a.m. it is usually less crowded, and 2 p.m. is the time to avoid because of the heat and the stairs. An early start leaves time for Wat Chalong, which keeps 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours.
The site reopened in early March 2026 after being shut for almost two years following an August 2024 landslide.
Nearby and how to combine it
Wat Chalong is the natural second stop. Entry costs nothing and donations are welcome. One plan: start at the Big Buddha as the gate opens, then reach Wat Chalong for its 7:00 a.m. opening. Read the full Wat Chalong guide for the chedi climb and dress rules.
70 Moo 6, Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Before you go
- Wear clothes that cover shoulders to knees; sarongs are lent at the entry.
- Leave shoes outside temple buildings.
- Keep your voice low.
- Leave the monkeys alone: visitors are told not to feed them, and they can be nasty.
- Bring a ride-hailing app: Grab and Bolt both work in Phuket.
Photo credits
- The seated Big Buddha on its hilltop: Wikimedia Commons, Big Buddha of Phuket (CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 4.0) (opens in a new tab) (CC BY-SA 4.0 (CEphoto, Uwe Aranas))
Step by step
- Dress for a templeCover your shoulders, chest and knees. Borrow a sarong at the entry if you need one.
- Arrive earlyCome early in the day, before the heat and the crowds build.
- Book a rideUse Grab or a Bolt taxi to the hill near Chalong.
- Leave shoes outsideShoes never go inside a temple building.
- Add Wat ChalongWat Chalong opens at 7:00 a.m. and entry is free.
Not confirmed: No official notice was reachable. Access to the hill has changed more than once, so check the gate on arrival.
Common questions
Is the Phuket Big Buddha free to enter?
Yes, entry is free, and you can make a donation if you like.
Has the Phuket Big Buddha reopened?
Yes, it reopened in early March 2026 after a closure that followed an August 2024 landslide.
How big is the Phuket Big Buddha?
The seated statue is 45 metres tall and 25.45 metres wide.
What is the Big Buddha made of?
Concrete covered with Burmese white marble.
What is its official name?
Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri. It is the main Buddha of Wat Kata.
Where is the Big Buddha?
On Nakkerd Hill near Chalong, facing Chalong Bay.
What should I wear to the Big Buddha?
Cover shoulders, chest and knees, with no sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee. Sarongs are lent at the entry. Keep shoes outside temple buildings.
Which ride apps reach the Big Buddha?
Grab covers taxi and private hire rides across Thailand, and Bolt offers local taxis in Phuket.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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