A Buddha the height of a mountain
Khao Chi Chan is a limestone hill south of Pattaya where one face of the rock was cut away and a huge seated Buddha was engraved into it, the outline inlaid with gold. It was made as a royal tribute, and it is one of the largest images of its kind in the country. You do not climb it. You stand in the landscaped park below, with a lotus pond in front, and look up; the scale only really hits you when you see the people next to it.
It is a short, easy visit: most people spend somewhere between half an hour and an hour, take their photos and move on. That makes it ideal for grandparents, small children or anyone who wants something calm between busier stops. It is a place of worship as well as a viewpoint, so you may see Thai visitors paying their respects. Dress modestly and keep voices low, as you would at any temple. For the classic photo, step back across the pond so the whole image fits in the frame with the water in front.
A short hop with plenty nearby
From central Pattaya the drive is usually somewhere around thirty to forty-five minutes, less from Jomtien. A van Pattaya to Khao Chi Chan drops you in the parking area at the foot of the cliff and waits or comes back for you, whichever you prefer. With a visit this short, it is often easiest to ask the driver to wait. The ride is so short that the real question is what you pair it with, because the area south of Pattaya has a lot within a few minutes of each other.
- Silverlake Vineyard is right next door, with vineyard views and a café
- Wat Yansangwararam and its temple grounds are a few minutes away
- Nong Nooch Garden is in the same direction for a longer afternoon
- Bring a hat and water — the viewing park can be hot and bright at midday
Plan the whole southern loop in one go
If you just want the Buddha cliff and back, send us your hotel, the number of people and the time you want to leave, and we confirm a fixed price for the whole vehicle in chat before the trip. Tolls and fuel are included, there is no deposit, and you pay the driver in cash afterwards.
For a day with several stops, use our trip planner to put them in order, and we price the whole day, waiting time included, in chat before you go. A Van Pattaya to Khao Chi Chan trip as part of a loop with Silverlake and a temple fits comfortably into a morning or an afternoon, and the van seats nine, so the whole family travels together.