Pattaya is a famous Thai resort, whose population in high season increases fivefold. It is best to come here in December-February, when the rains stop, giving vacationers the opportunity not only to soak up the beaches, but also to see all the local attractions.
You can make a whole list of what to see in Pattaya, and still you won't be able to visit all the iconic places in one vacation. We'll have to choose what to give preference to. If you are traveling with children, we recommend paying attention to zoos and water parks. People interested in history and architecture are advised to see the local Buddhist shrines. Fans of beach holidays and natural beauty should go to the islands closest to Pattaya. We can promise one thing - it will not be boring!
TOP 10 attractions in Pattaya
Coral Island Koh Lan
Koh Lan Island
Koh Lan Island is located 7.5 km from the center of Pattaya resort. You can get to it by ferry (the ticket is cheap) and by boat (the trip will cost a little more).
The pentagonal Kohlan island is small - its length is only 4.5 km. But it is difficult to move along it on foot, because you have to constantly overcome rather high hills. The toughest travelers climb a hill over 200 meters high to see the temple with the figure of Buddha and admire the entire island from its foot. The road to the temple is laid through tropical forests in which bright exotic birds and nimble monkeys live.
The beaches of Koh Larn, which is called Coral Island, are a great alternative to the not-so-clean Pattaya coastline. In each bay near the coast there are coral reefs of amazing beauty, which pleases tourists who like to swim with masks or scuba diving. Fishing is also allowed here.
Park of ancient stones
Park of ancient stones
The Ancient Stone Park is located on an area of 29 hectares outside of Pattaya City. It was founded in the late 80s of the last century by the entrepreneur Hun Xuan Phanomwattanakul. The park consists of three sectors:
- a garden of huge boulders of volcanic origin, which are thousands or even millions of years old. All stones in this park are distinguished by unusual shapes and resemble animals and various mythological creatures. Some have been worked on by sculptors;
- crocodile farm, which is home to hundreds of reptiles. They are allowed to be fed chicken, which is hung on a fishing rod. Every day there are shows with the participation of crocodiles;
- a zoo where contact with animals is allowed: take pictures with predators, feed elephants and giraffes, etc.
Nong Nooch Tropical Park
Nong Nooch Tropical Park
An interesting botanical garden, named after one of its founders, Mrs. Nong Nooch Tansacha, appeared in the suburbs of Pattaya in 1980. At first, on a section of 2, 4 sq. Km. wanted to make a plantation for growing vegetables, but then turned the desert site into a great place to relax. At the service of tourists and local residents, spacious pavilions have been built, where there are restaurants, small cozy bungalows, swimming pools with fresh water and much more. All these buildings are surrounded by several gardens where orchids, cacti, palms, ferns, and aquatic plants grow. There is also a French park reminiscent of the Versailles Gardens. Be sure to visit the elephant farm and pavilion, which contains large tropical butterflies. Among the local wonders is the Potted Garden, which houses installations made from flower pots.
Big Buddha Hill
Big Buddha Hill
The most important architectural attraction in Pattaya, which in no case should be missed, is the large Buddha statue located on a hill, where a staircase of 120 steps leads. The railing of this staircase is created in the form of the bodies of multi-headed kites.
After counting all the steps, never getting lost, which means, according to local beliefs, having received confirmation that everything is going right in life, tourists and residents of Pattaya find themselves near the main shrine of the hill. Near it there are more modest statues of Buddhas. A lot of various rituals are performed here, in which visitors also willingly take part. The Buddha of the day of the week on which you were born should be presented with flowers or incense. Then you should knock with a hammer on the bell, the ringing of which frees you from sins. Finally, to attract good luck, you need to redeem and release one of the birds sitting in a cage at the temple.
Mountain of the Golden Buddha
Mountain of the Golden Buddha
A 45-minute drive south of Pattaya is the sacred mountain Khao Chi Chan, revered by Buddhists. On its slope, the image of the Buddha, 109 meters high, is laser-cut and covered with gilded plates. This image was created in 1996 as part of the celebration of the anniversary of the reign of King Rama IX. Many locals believe that Buddha relics are kept under the central part of the drawing.
Fundraising for the creation of the Buddha image of Khao Chi Chan was collected by the whole world. The son of the king supervised the creation of the image. They took several months.
There is a beautiful park around the mountain, where pavilions for the ascension of prayers have been built, paths leading to lakes overgrown with lotuses have been laid, hundreds of tropical plants have been planted. The park and the Buddha mountain are under the protection of the Thai military.
Water park "RamaYana"
Water park "RamaYana"
Pattaya water park "RamaYana" is considered the largest water park in the country. It is located 30 km from the city and is intended for both adults and children. The park is built around a lake created by nature. Fresh water comes to the pools from underground sources and goes through several stages of purification.
There are about 50 modern water slides and attractions that will take your breath away and cheer you up. You can go rafting on the artificial river through the caves, or take a dip in the pool where the storm is recreated. The bravest ones storm the extreme water slides. For the lazy, there is a pool-bar, for lovers of active sports, water polo grounds have been built. Another local attraction is the floating market, which sells many different amazing things.
Temple of Truth
The wooden Temple of Truth, 105 meters high, is a unique sacred structure, erected in the northern region of Pattaya, on the seashore. Its construction began in 1981 and continues to this day. The local rich man Lek Viriyapan financed the construction of the temple. Once it was predicted to him that he would live while the Temple of Truth was being built. Viriyapan died in 2000, and the construction of the sanctuary is not even expected to be completed. According to the most optimistic forecasts, the temple will be built by 2025, but no one believes in this, since the architectural elements created in the 80s of the last century have already begun to deteriorate from humidity and heat.
The Temple of Truth is famous for being fully decorated with oriental carvings and statues depicting gods. It resembles the buildings of the Khmers.
Siracha Tiger Zoo
Siracha Tiger Zoo
Siracha Tiger Zoo is located 30 km from Pattaya. The main stars of this nature park are about 400 Bengal tigers, who participate in performances for tourists several times a day: they jump through rings engulfed in flames, perform various tricks and even allow them to be photographed. The park organizers are trying to prove to the guests that different animals can live peacefully in one enclosure if they are fed correctly. Confirmation of this theory is the open-air cage, where a pig with piglets and a tigress with cubs live. By the way, guests can treat the cubs with milk and play with them.
In addition to tigers, in the zoo you can see wild animals (crocodiles, elephants, pythons and others) and domestic animals (sheep, goats, rabbits).
Yannasangwararam temple complex
Yannasangwararam temple complex
Not far from the Golden Buddha Mountain, there is another Thai shrine - the Wat Yannasangwararam temple, which is also called Wat Yan. It is located on the shores of a large lake and consists of several temple buildings, erected in different oriental styles, and manicured gardens with places for meditation. The temple of Wat Yannasangwararam, patronized by the king himself, was built in 1976 in front of the hill, which is considered sacred, because the imprint of the foot of the Buddha was found on it. Upstairs, where an observation deck is also equipped, is a staircase of 300 steps.
Wat Yan's main building is renowned for its contemporary design. It was built in a style not typical for Thai temples. The Viharn Sien Chinese temple, which is part of the Wat Yan complex, houses a museum with a magnificent collection of Chinese sacred artifacts. In the pavilion called the mandapa, there is a replica of the footprint of the Buddha.
Chicken King's Palace
The Chicken King is Mr. Panya Chotitawan, the owner of Sakha Farm, one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in Thailand, and in general a very wealthy man. In 2000. when the economic crisis hit Thailand, he built a huge castle complex to provide at least some of the locals with jobs. The area of the castle is 128 thousand square meters. It is adjacent to a 400-meter long beach. The castle consists of a number of modern buildings, painted in pink and blue tones, and more reminiscent of their forms of doll dwellings. The gardens are striking with their clean lines and quirky flower beds.
The Chotitawan family residence is a building dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin. It is equipped with a multifunctional conference hall for 500 people. There is also a priceless gem on which Kuan Yin is depicted standing on a dragon. The Buddha Tower houses a collection of Buddha images. There is a restaurant and souvenir shops in the neighboring buildings.
