Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Pattaya, Thailand
Khao Chi Chan — the golden Buddha cliff, Pattaya
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Photo: Guido Johannes Joerg (Endimione), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free; donations welcome
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 6:00–18:00; may change on holidays
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Size
- A 109 × 70 m Buddha outline inlaid with gold
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Where
- Sattahip, ≈ 24 km south of central Pattaya, ≈ 18 km from Jomtien
- Nearby
- Wat Yan — 7 km, Nong Nooch garden — 7 km
Key facts
109 × 70 mthe size of the Buddha outline on the cliff
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English Wikipedia1996the outline was laser-cut for the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol's reign
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English WikipediaLaserthe cliff was levelled, the lines cut into the limestone and inlaid with gold
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English WikipediaLargestline-engraved Buddha image in the world
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English Wikipedia1990sforest was planted around the cliff — teak, rosewood and fruit trees
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English Wikipedia≈ 1,000monkeys lived around the mountain, per the forestry department in 2015
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English Wikipedia≈ 24 kmfrom central Pattaya, about 25–35 minutes by car
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OSRM route7 kmto Nong Nooch garden and to Wat Yan
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OSRM routeWhat is Khao Chi Chan?
Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain) is a limestone cliff south of Pattaya bearing a huge seated Buddha. In 1996, for the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol's reign, the slope was levelled and engineers used a laser to cut a 109 × 70 m outline into the rock, then inlaid it with gold. It's the world's largest line-engraved image of the Buddha.
In front of the cliff is a landscaped park with a pond, lawns and a prayer area, surrounded by forest planted in the 1990s: teak, rosewood and fruit trees. Monkeys live nearby. The mountain is part of the 'southern' route from Pattaya, along with Wat Yan, the Chinese temple Viharn Sien, Nong Nooch garden and the Silverlake vineyard.
Hours, entry and rules
Entry is free, and you can leave a donation. According to guides it's open daily from about 6:00 to 18:00; other sources say 8:00–17:00, and holidays change the hours. There's no official website, so don't arrive right at closing time.
It's a place of worship: dress modestly, don't climb the cliff and keep quiet by the prayer area. Don't feed the monkeys or leave food and bags unattended.
What to see
- The golden Buddha outline on the cliff — 109 m tall.
- The pond in front — the Buddha reflected in the water.
- The park and prayer area at the foot of the cliff.
- The forest around the mountain — 1990s plantings.
- The monkeys — watch from a distance.
How to get to Khao Chi Chan
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
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
- From central Pattaya it's about 24 km south — 25–35 minutes by Bolt, Grab or taxi.
- From Jomtien Beach it's about 18 km, around 20 minutes.
- On a tour — the 'southern' route with Wat Yan, Nong Nooch and the Silverlake vineyard.
- From Wat Yan it's about 7 km, 10–15 minutes.
- There's no public transport worth relying on — ask your driver to wait.
How long do you need?
20–30 minutes is enough for the cliff. It works best as part of a half-day in the south: Nong Nooch garden in the morning, Wat Yan around midday, then Khao Chi Chan towards evening, when the heat eases.
If you go by taxi, agree a price for the whole route including waiting — finding a ride back out here is hard.
Is Khao Chi Chan worth it?
Yes, as a stop on the way to Nong Nooch or Wat Yan: a golden Buddha on a cliff is unusual, very photogenic and free.
The YesGo take: beyond the cliff and the park there's little to see, so it's not worth a special trip from the centre for 20 minutes. Don't confuse it with Wat Traimit's Golden Buddha in Bangkok — that one is a gold statue, this one is a drawing on a cliff.
Before you go: checklist
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Pattaya temples: compare and choose
Temples and shrines in Pattaya rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Sanctuary of Truth | 43 | 2 h | day 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350 | 24.4 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pattaya Viewpoint | 41 | 45 min | Free | 20.1 km |
| Khao Chi Chan Buddhayou are here | 30 | 30 min | Free | — |
| Wat Yansangwararam | 29 | 1 h | Free | 2.8 km |
Southern Pattaya in half a day
Nong Nooch garden in the morning, Wat Yan around midday, then the golden Buddha at Khao Chi Chan. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden3 h · from ≈ 500 baht, packages with shows cost more
- 60 min walk from the previous stopWat Yansangwararam1 h · free
- 49 min walk from the previous stopKhao Chi Chan Buddhayou are here30 min · free
3 places · about 6 h 19 min with walks · 109 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- The best light is in the morning or towards evening.
- For a reflection shot, stand by the pond.
- Agree waiting time with your taxi driver.
- Keep bags closed — monkeys are around.
- 7 km away: Wat Yan.
Questions
Is there an entrance fee at Khao Chi Chan?
No, entry is free.
What are Khao Chi Chan's opening hours?
Daily, roughly 6:00 to 18:00 (according to guides).
Is it real gold?
The outline was laser-cut and inlaid with gold.
How big is the Buddha?
The outline is 109 × 70 m.
How do I get to Khao Chi Chan?
It's about 24 km from central Pattaya — by taxi or on a tour.
How long do you need?
20–30 minutes.
When is the best time to visit?
On a clear day, in the morning or towards evening.
What's nearby?
Wat Yan and Nong Nooch garden, 7 km each.
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 — Buddha Mountain (Thailand): size, year and method, gold, record, forest planting, monkeys, nearby sites
- 2026 travel guides — opening hours and free entry (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q31358377, OSM — coordinates; OSRM route — distances from Pattaya, Jomtien, Wat Yan and Nong Nooch
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