Walking Street
Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya Viewpoint and the Big Buddha
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Photo: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — the viewpoint and the temple
- Hours
- Viewpoint — 24 hours; Wat Phra Yai — roughly 7:00–22:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 45 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Viewpoint
- An open lookout, 24 hours
- Wat Phra Yai
- Roughly 7:00–22:00; sources give different hours
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Temple dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered
- Where
- Pratumnak Hill between Pattaya and Jomtien beaches, above Bali Hai Pier
- Distances
- ≈ 3 km from central Pattaya, ≈ 6 km from Jomtien
Key facts
98 mPattaya's highest natural point, on Pratumnak Hill
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English Wikipedia18 mthe height of the golden Buddha at Wat Phra Yai
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English Wikipedia1977the statue was built; the temple dates back to the 1940s fishing-village days
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English Wikipedia7 headson each of the two naga serpents lining the stairs to the Buddha
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English Wikipedia7 statuesof the Buddha in different postures — one for each day of the week
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English Wikipedia24,000 m²the size of Chaloem Phrakiat Park and its viewpoints
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English WikipediaPATTAYA CITYthe big sign on the hillside, visible from the beach
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English Wikipedia≈ 3 kmfrom central Pattaya, 5–10 minutes by car
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OSRM routeWhat is the Pratumnak Hill viewpoint?
Pratumnak Hill (Khao Phra Tamnak, 'palace hill') is the only high ground in central Pattaya; its highest point is 98 m. It separates Pattaya Beach to the north from Jomtien to the south. On the hill are Chaloem Phrakiat Park, about 24,000 m² with several viewpoints, and the big PATTAYA CITY sign that you can see from the beach.
From the lookout the bay spreads out below: dozens of boats, the curve of the beach with its high-rises and Bali Hai Pier at the foot of the hill, where ferries leave for Koh Larn. At the summit stands a bronze statue of Prince Abhakara, regarded as the father of the Royal Thai Navy.
The Big Buddha — Wat Phra Yai
About a kilometre south on the same hill is Wat Phra Yai ('Big Buddha Hill'). The temple dates back to the 1940s, when Pattaya was a fishing village, and the golden seated Buddha, 18 m tall, was built in 1977. Stairs lined by two seven-headed nagas lead up to it, surrounded by seven Buddha statues in different postures for the days of the week.
Entry to the temple is free. Sources disagree on hours — from 6:30–17:00 to 7:00–22:00 — so in the evening visit the temple before the viewpoint. Cover shoulders and knees at the temple.
What to see
- The bay panorama — Pattaya Beach, the boats and Bali Hai Pier.
- The PATTAYA CITY sign on the hillside.
- Chaloem Phrakiat Park — several lookouts.
- Wat Phra Yai — the 18 m golden Buddha.
- The naga staircase up to the statue.
- The Prince Abhakara monument on the summit.
How to get to the viewpoint
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 3 km south — 5–10 minutes by Bolt, Grab or songthaew.
- From Walking Street it's about 25 minutes uphill on foot from Bali Hai Pier.
- From Jomtien it's about 6 km, 10 minutes by car.
- From the viewpoint to Wat Phra Yai it's about 1 km south along the hill.
- There's a small car park at the top; it fills fast in the evening.
How long do you need?
About an hour covers the viewpoint and Wat Phra Yai. The best plan: the Big Buddha an hour before sunset, the viewpoint at sunset, then down to Walking Street at the foot of the hill in the evening.
Midday is hot with little shade on the hill; mornings are quiet and clear. The view is best in the dry season, November to April, when there's less haze.
Is Pratumnak Hill worth it?
Yes: it's the best free view of Pattaya and a must on a first visit, and the Big Buddha next door adds a temple to the walk.
The YesGo take: at sunset the sign and lookout get crowded and the car park is small. Come a little earlier or go up in the morning. Don't confuse it with the golden Buddha cliff at Khao Chi Chan — that's a different place, 25 km south.
Before you go: checklist
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Pattaya viewpoints: compare and choose
Viewpoints in Pattaya rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Pattaya Viewpointyou are here | 41 | 45 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khao Chi Chan Buddha | 30 | 30 min | Free | 20.1 km |
| Ko Lan | 17 | 4 h | ferry ≈ 30 baht, speedboat ≈ 150–300 | 9.6 km |
Southern Pattaya in a day
Jomtien Beach in the morning, the Pratumnak Hill viewpoint at sunset, and Walking Street in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Jomtien Beach2 h · free
- 93 min walk from the previous stopPattaya Viewpointyou are here45 min · free
- 19 min walk from the previous stopWalking Street1 h 30 min · free (street)
3 places · about 6 h 7 min with walks · 112 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Photograph the PATTAYA CITY sign before sunset, while it's light.
- The best bay view is from the edge of the lookout above Bali Hai.
- Climb to the Buddha by the naga staircase.
- In the evening it's 25 minutes on foot down to Walking Street.
- In the morning: Jomtien Beach on the other side of the hill.
Questions
Is there an entrance fee for the Pattaya viewpoint?
No — the viewpoint and Wat Phra Yai are both free.
Where is the viewpoint?
On Pratumnak Hill between Pattaya and Jomtien beaches, above Bali Hai Pier.
How do I get to the viewpoint?
About 3 km from the centre — 5–10 minutes by Bolt or songthaew, or 25 minutes on foot from Walking Street.
How tall is Pattaya's Big Buddha?
18 m; the statue was built in 1977.
When is the best time to go?
30–40 minutes before sunset.
What are Wat Phra Yai's opening hours?
Roughly 7:00 to 22:00; sources differ.
What is the temple dress code?
Shoulders and knees covered.
How long do you need?
About an hour for the viewpoint and the temple.
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 — Khao Phra Tamnak: hill height, Chaloem Phrakiat Park, PATTAYA CITY sign, monument, Wat Phra Yai (18 m statue, 1977, nagas, seven statues)
- 2026 travel guides — Wat Phra Yai hours (unofficial)
- OSM — viewpoint coordinates; OSRM route — distances from the centre and Jomtien
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
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