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Secret Buddha Garden, Koh Samui

Stone statues of dancing figures and deities among rocks and jungle trees in the Secret Buddha Garden
Photo: אברהם שוורץ, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
≈ 80 baht; under-10s free
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Hours
Daily, roughly 9:00–18:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Where
Pom Mountain (Khun Nim Peak), centre of the island
Road
Steep, last stretch unpaved — 4x4 or tour
Turn-off
From ring road 4169 opposite Wat Khunaram
From Chaweng
≈ 22 km, 35–45 minutes
Coordinates
9.48276, 99.99463YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1976the year Khun Nim started the garden
Sourceen.wikipedia
77the founder's age when he began
Sourceen.wikipedia
FarmerKhun Nim Thongsuk grew durians
Sourceen.wikipedia
Not a templethe garden is a private project, not a wat
Sourceen.wikipedia
Pom Mountainone of Samui's highest peaks
Sourceen.wikipedia
Angelsthe main group of statues — angels and musicians
Sourceen.wikipedia
≈ 80 bahtadult entry
Sourcetravel guides
4x4recommended for the steep road up
Sourcetravel guides

What is the Secret Buddha Garden?

The Secret Buddha Garden — also called the Magic Garden, Heaven's Garden and Tarnim Magic Garden — is a private sculpture park on top of Pom Mountain (Khun Nim Peak), one of Samui's highest points. It isn't a temple but one man's work.

It was begun in 1976 by the retired durian farmer Khun Nim Thongsuk, then aged 77, who kept at it for many years. Among trees, boulders and streams stand statues of the Buddha, angels and musicians, deities, birds and snakes, as well as figures of the founder's parents and of Khun Nim holding his father's hand.

How the garden works

There's a ticket office at the entrance, then paths lead up and down the slope past groups of statues, streams and small waterfalls. The stone figures are covered in moss and look older than they are among the jungle. It's cooler here than on the coast.

Entry is about 80 baht; according to guides, children under 10 go free. Sources give different hours — most often roughly 9:00 to 18:00.

What to see

  • Angels and musicians — the main group of statues.
  • Buddha statues among rocks and trees.
  • Figures of the founder's parents.
  • Stone birds and snakes.
  • Streams and small waterfalls in the garden.
  • Jungle views from the mountaintop.

How to get to the Secret Buddha Garden

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From ring road 4169 — turn inland opposite Wat Khunaram, then climb steeply up the mountain.
  2. From Chaweng — ≈ 22 km, 35–45 minutes, slow for the last few kilometres.
  3. From the Na Muang waterfalls — ≈ 3.5 km by road, but uphill.
  4. Jeep tour — often includes the garden, waterfalls and viewpoints.
  5. By scooter — experienced riders only, in dry weather.

On your own or on a jeep tour

Independentlyyou are hereNeeds a 4x4 and experienceYour choiceAs long as you likePay at the gate
Jeep tourThe driver knows the climbWaterfalls and viewpointsAbout an hourOften included — check

How long do you need?

Allow an hour in the garden, or about 2.5–3 hours with the drive from Chaweng. It's easy to combine with the Na Muang waterfalls and Wat Khunaram — the turn-off is right opposite the temple.

Come in the morning or early afternoon in dry weather: the climb is safer, and the light through the leaves is soft.

Is the Secret Buddha Garden worth visiting?

Yes, if you want something unusual: one man's stone garden in the jungle on a mountaintop is among Samui's most atmospheric places.

The YesGo take: the garden is small, and the road is the real challenge. Don't risk it on a scooter without experience; a jeep tour solves that and adds waterfalls and views.

Before you go: checklist

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Koh Samui sights: compare and choose

Natural sights and viewpoints on Koh Samui rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Big Buddha4445 minFree12.2 km
Wat Plai Laem4440 minFree12.7 km
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)3030 minFree6.0 km
Secret Buddha Gardenyou are here241 h≈ 80 baht—
Ang Thong National Marine Park164 hpark fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra38.4 km

Central and southern Samui in a day

The Na Muang waterfalls in the morning, then the Secret Buddha Garden on the mountain, and Wat Khunaram and the Red Temple in the afternoon. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Na Muang Waterfalls1 h 30 min · Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht
  2. 48 min walk from the previous stopSecret Buddha Gardenyou are here1 h · ≈ 80 baht
  3. 65 min walk from the previous stopWat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)20 min · free
  4. 58 min walk from the previous stopRed Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)30 min · free

4 places · about 6 h 11 min with walks · 171 min on foot in total

Go · my route

How to do it right

  • No scooter without experience.
  • Go in dry weather.
  • It's cooler in the garden than by the sea.
  • The turn-off is opposite Wat Khunaram.
  • Nearby: the Na Muang waterfalls.

Questions

How much is entry to the Secret Buddha Garden?

About 80 baht; under-10s free (according to guides).

Who created the garden?

The farmer Khun Nim Thongsuk, who began in 1976 at the age of 77.

Can you get there by scooter?

Experienced riders only, in dry weather; a 4x4 or tour is better.

Where is the turn-off?

From ring road 4169, opposite Wat Khunaram.

Is it a temple?

No, it's a private sculpture park.

What are the opening hours?

Daily, roughly 9:00–18:00 (sources vary).

How long do you need?

About an hour in the garden, 2.5–3 hours with the drive.

Is it good for children?

Yes, the paths are short; the key is getting up safely.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia: Secret Buddha Garden — founder, year, statues, mountain, road
  • Travel guides (Nasha Planeta, Pickyourtrail, Villa Finder, We Love Koh Samui and others) — entry, hours, 4x4 (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q15980294 — coordinates; OSRM — road distances
  • YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThere's no official website. The founder, start year, his age, the statues and the road are from Wikipedia. Most sources give 80 baht for entry (one blog says 100) — we give 80 and mark it unconfirmed. Hours: 'morning to sunset' or 9:00–18:00 — we give roughly 9:00–18:00. Distances are from OSRM: 21.8 km from Chaweng, 26.8 km from the airport, 3.4 km from the Na Muang waterfalls; we pad the climb time.

Top YesGo picks: Koh Samui

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Wat Plai Laem

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Chaweng Beach

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Na Muang Waterfalls

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