Seeing the sights of Samui with your own eyes is a great chance to get to know the Thai culture, customs and traditions of local residents. Almost all the interesting places on the island are located quite close to each other, and this gives a wonderful opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Thailand.
Samui is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This island is famous for its white beaches, exotic nature and expensive hotels. But despite the fact that this is a classic resort, there is not only a lot of entertainment for every taste, but also a number of historical attractions. That is, you can easily combine rest by the sea and sightseeing of all the sights of Koh Samui.
Do not hesitate, there is something to see on Samui!
Wat Play Laem Temple
Wat Plai Laem Temple should be referred to places that you should independently look at Koh Samui. Perhaps this is one of the most colorful buildings in the country. The complex is located in the north of Samui, and consists of 3 buildings. This is a relatively new temple: it was built in 2004 with donations from local residents. The chief architect says the building turned out to be so unusual and attractive thanks to a mix of Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese styles.
The territory of the complex is divided into 3 parts, which include magnificent buildings and 14 fabulous mythological sculptures. The most important building is the Thai temple Bot, located in the center of the complex. This building is used for meetings and prayers. Thailand’s traditional mythological characters are depicted on the inner walls of the temple, and urns with ashes of famous people are stored in the side walls. In the center of the room is a golden Buddha statue.
If you leave the temple Bot, you can see that it is surrounded by 8 golden towers, and the attraction itself stands on a small island in the middle of the lake. On two sides of the temple towering majestic sculptures. The first is the many-armed goddess Kuan Yin, sitting on a dragon. Thais believe that it is worth the dream to tell Kuan Yin, and it will come true. The second is a statue of the “Smiling Buddha” (or Hotei), which is one of the most famous fairy-tale characters in the East. People believe that to fulfill a desire, you need to rub the stomach of the Buddha 300 times.
There are other sculptures on the territory of the temple complex. For example, a statue of Ganesha – a god who patronizes travelers and merchants.
Around the attraction, an artificial lake was created in which you can see Thai turtles, small fish and other animals. You should rent a catamaran in the shape of a swan and feed the fish yourself (the price is 10 baht). The temple accepts voluntary donations. This is one of those places not only on Koh Samui, but also in Thailand, which has something to see.
- Location: Near Ban Plai Laem School, Road 4171.
- Opening hours: 6.00 – 18.00.
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
One of the most famous sights of Koh Samui is a statue of the Big Buddha. It is located near the temple of Wat Phra Yai, which is the most popular temple among local residents. Entire families come here on Saturday and are cleansed. Thais believe that as long as the statue is intact, Samui is not in danger.
The height of the Buddha reaches 12 meters, and it was established in 1974. By the way, the statue is visible from different points of the island, and all tourists arriving by plane will definitely see the Big Buddha from a bird’s eye view. You can get to the sights on your own by climbing a long staircase of 60 steps.
When visiting this place on your own, it is worth remembering that at the foot of the statue you need to remove shoes and socks. This rule does not apply to travelers arriving at 13.00 – 16.00 (at this time the stairs are very hot). Also try not to turn your back on the Buddha statue – this may offend the congregation.
- Location of Attractions: Bophut 84320.
- Opening hours: 6.00 – 18.00.
Angthong National Marine Park
Angthong or Golden Chalice is the largest and most popular national park in Samui. It consists of 41 uninhabited islands, and their total area is 102 square meters. km In the conservation area there is the only land island where people live – the Thais themselves, who maintain order in the territory entrusted to them and tourists who can live in local hotels for 2-3 nights.
The book “Beach”, as well as the film of the same name with Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role, brought fame to these picturesque places.
It is almost impossible to visit this attraction of Samui on your own, therefore it is better to contact one of the travel agencies on Samui. Guides promise a rich excursion: ascent to the observation deck, rafting and canoeing, visiting caves and a walk into the crater of an extinct volcano.
- Location: 145/1 Talad Lang Rd | Talad Subdistrict, Ang Thong 84000
- Cost: 300 baht for an adult and 150 baht for a child (environmental tax)
Elephant Sanctuary (Samui Elephant Sanctuary)
The elephant shelter is a traditional farm for eastern countries on which elephants live. This place will be interesting for both children and adults: Samui should definitely see how elephants are looked after, what they eat and observe their habits. Travelers who have been here say that the territory of the shelter is clean, and the animals themselves are very well-groomed.
Excursions are conducted on the farm: first they show a short 5-minute film about the difficult life of elephants, and then they invite them for a walk during which you can watch animals, feed and stroke them yourself, and also hear the story of each elephant living in the shelter. After tourists expect a vegetarian lunch consisting of rice, french fries and curry sauce.
Near the shelter there is a souvenir shop, the prices of which are lower than in neighboring towns.
- Location: 2/8 Moo 6, 84329, Koh Samui, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00.
- Cost: 600 baht for an adult and 450 for a child (all the money goes to improve the shelter and care for elephants).
Khao Hua Jook Pagoda
Khao Hua Jook Pagoda is located on a hilltop, so you can see it from different points of the island. This is not the most popular place among tourists, and it is quite difficult to find this attraction on the maps of Koh Samui. However, it is still worth visiting on your own.
Next to the pagoda is an active temple, the road to which goes through a beautiful garden. The climb is quite steep, but at almost every step there are benches for relaxation. From the observation deck, on which the pagoda is located, you can watch how planes take off and arrive from Samui Airport. It is especially beautiful in this place in the evening and at night, because the temple complex is highlighted with colorful lanterns.
Location: Kao Hua Jook Road.
Koh Tan Island
Koh Tang is a 20-minute boat ride from Samui. This is an almost uninhabited territory: only 17 people live here + tourists occasionally come here on their own. All Thais living here are engaged in the tourism business: they keep small hotels and bars. There is no electricity on the island, and the only source of communication with the outside world is battery-powered radio.
It’s worth coming to Koh Tang in order to relax from the noisy resorts, enjoy the snow-white beach and see the life of ordinary Thais. The minuses of this place include (oddly enough) the garbage that comes from the side of Samui and is not the most convenient entrance to the water.
Bophut Fishing Village
Boptukha Village is the oldest settlement on Koh Samui, which has absorbed the features of both Thai and Chinese cultures. Today it is a popular tourist attraction. People come here to look at the old, mixed with modernity, as well as try delicious fish in one of the local restaurants.
Tourists are advised to visit this place on their own in order to buy souvenirs, see the weekly fair, and also take pictures on the background of fishing gear. Travelers say that in this village on the island of Koh Samui, of course, there is something to see.
Where to find: Opp Stare Fish Coffee, Bophut 84320.
Farm “Paradise Park”
Paradise Park or Paradise Park is an exotic farm located high in the mountains. Here you can get acquainted with the wildlife of Koh Samui: touch colorful parrots, feed colorful pigeons on your own, admire the beauty of a peacock, and also look at ponies, goats and iguanas. Almost the entire park is a contact zoo. Almost all animals can be touched, and some can even be fed.
Since the park is located on a mountain, from the observation deck offers stunning views of the jungle, garden, waterfalls, pools and artificial ponds. All this splendor can also be visited on your own, going down one of the many stairs.
- Address: 217/3 Moo 1, Talingngam, 84140.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00.
- Cost: 400 baht for an adult and 200 for a child.
Secret Buddha Garden
The “Secret Garden of Buddha”, as well as the “Magic Garden” or “The Garden of Heaven” is not a simple park that we are accustomed to. This is a real cemetery of sculptures of animals, mythological deities and statues of Buddha himself. The garden itself is small: it is located on a mountain, and you can get around it in 10-15 minutes. Along the road that leads to a paradise, you can look at several small waterfalls and go to the observation deck.
Such an unusual attraction on Koh Samui in Thailand was created in 1976 by one of the Thai farmers. He believed that this is a paradise on Earth, and was very happy when the first tourists traveling alone began to come here. Today it is quite a popular place with travelers, but many of them are quite superficially inspect the garden. And in vain: here it’s worth not just walking through interesting places, but also relaxing, listening to the murmur of water running from the mountains.
- Location: 22/1, Moo 4 | Ban Bangrak, Big Buddha Beach, 84320.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 18.00.
- The cost of visiting: 80 baht.
Thai Boxing Stadium (Chaweng Boxing Stadium)
One of the intangible symbols of Thailand is Thai boxing, which, however, today is popular all over the world. This is the most popular sport in Koh Samui, and one of the best places for fighting is the Thai boxing stadium Chaweng. Every day there are real battles, to see which come both local and tourists.
Tickets are sold for several fights at once. Typically, a program starts at 9.20 p.m. and ends around midnight. It should be borne in mind that it is forbidden to bring liquids and food to the stadium – everything can be purchased here (though more expensive).
- Attractions Address: Soi Reggae, Chaweng Beach, Chaweng, Bophut 84320, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Wednesday, Saturday – 21.00 – 23.00.
- Price: 2000 baht (place at the table).
Cabaret Stars
Cabare Stars is a show traditional for Thai culture, combining elements of both Thai and European cultures. Only men (usually dressed as girls) perform on stage. As with all show programs in Thailand, everything here is very bright and colorful. Artists perform in elegant costumes for world (including Russian) hits.
Performances are held several times a day. Actors are trying to bring something new to each show, so do not be surprised if the numbers on two identical performances are different.
- Location: 200/11 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach Road | 1st floor at Khun Chaweng Resort, 84320, Thailand.
- Open: Sunday – Saturday – 20.30 – 00.00.
- Cost: entrance itself is free, but during the show it will be necessary to purchase a drink (cost starts from 200 baht).
Prices on the page are for September 2018.
Go to Thailand should not only to sunbathe on the beach and swim in the sea, but also to visit the sights of Samui.
All the sights of Koh Samui described on the page are marked on the map in Russian.
