The Big Buddha Temple or Wat Phra Yai is on Samui's north coast. The 12-meter-high Buddha in gold color sits on a small islet connected to the big island by a causeway. Entering the temple, you first come to a large, paved courtyard with a dragon stairway.
Flanking the stairs are two small pavilions housing smaller Buddha images. The stairs of approx. 80 steps lead you up to the platform on which the huge Buddha image sits. From the platform you get amazing views of the water surrounding this island-within-an-island. There are lots of little shops around where you can purchase refreshments or even sit down for a meal. Some of the shops are interesting, particularly the scrap metal modelling. Here, recycled motorbikes are turned into life sized alien and predator models! Amazing!
The Big Buddha Temple makes for a nice morning or afternoon trip. You will have a sense of peace and history while there.
There is also another temple a 5-minute walk away which looks less significant on all the tourist map but is definitely stunning.
