Pratumnak Hill: the viewpoint and the Big Buddha

The classic view of Pattaya Bay, a shrine to the father of the Thai navy, and a golden Buddha watching over the city.

Area

In town

Start from

Central Pattaya

Distance

about 3 km

Time needed

2–3 hours

Best season

All year; best at sunset

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Grab, songthaew or a walk from South Pattaya

Tickets & rules

None

Why go

Pratumnak Hill separates Pattaya from Jomtien, and its viewpoint gives you the postcard panorama: the curve of Pattaya Bay, the high-rises, the boats at anchor and Koh Larn on the horizon.

Next to the viewpoint stands a shrine to Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon, revered as the father of the modern Thai navy. Locals come to pay respect and offer flowers, and you will often see navy cadets visiting.

A short ride further along the hill is Wat Phra Yai, with its large golden seated Buddha at the top of a staircase guarded by naga serpents. It is calm, breezy and lovely at the end of the day.

Below the hill, small lanes lead down to Cosy Beach and a few hidden coves where locals fish from the rocks. It's one of the few places in the city where you can sit by the water without a soundtrack.

The story

Prince Chumphon is also remembered as a healer and a folk hero, and shrines to him are found along the coast. People ask him for protection at sea and good luck, and his shrine on Pratumnak is one of the most visited.

The Big Buddha of Wat Phra Yai was built when Pattaya was still a small fishing village. Today it looks down over a city of hundreds of thousands, but the temple is still a working monastery where local families come for merit-making.

From the hill you can see how the city has grown: old photographs at local cafés show the bay in the 1960s with barely a building on the shore, just palms, fishing boats and a dirt road.

Getting there

Take a Grab or songthaew up Pratumnak Road, or walk up from the southern end of Beach Road if it is cool. The viewpoint and Big Buddha are about a kilometre apart.

A suggested plan

1. Late afternoonStart at Wat Phra Yai, climb the stairs and walk around the Buddha.
2. SunsetMove to the viewpoint for the light over the bay.
3. EveningGo down to Cosy Beach or Jomtien for dinner by the sea.

Where to stay

Pratumnak is one of the quieter residential areas of the city, with condo hotels and small resorts between Pattaya and Jomtien.

Good to know

• Dress respectfully at the temple: covered shoulders and knees.
• Weekend evenings are busy with locals; weekdays are calmer.
• Bring water; the stairs are steep.
• The city's large hillside 'PATTAYA CITY' sign is visible from the viewpoint, a fun photo for kids.