The city of Pattaya lies on the southern shores of Thailand. In the Southern area, there are not as many holy sites as compared to the other regions of Thailand. However, there is still plenty enough to visit and for visitors to learn the origins of holy sites in Pattaya. Listed below are the top four holy sites for visitors to check out.
Sanctuary Of Truth
The Sanctuary Of Truth is actually a modern venture with no religious substance, despite its Buddhism-related designs. The entire site was manually constructed from quality teak wood, which proves how skilled the Thais are in terms of their craftsmanship. The near-shore location simply adds on to the attractiveness of all the impressive carvings and designs within the site. Overall, this one-of-a-kind holy site is neither a temple or palace with any sort of religious affiliations, but instead, built with an objective of spreading the joy of philosophical art and culture appreciation. For the chatty visitors, be warned though, that the sanctuary’s commanding atmosphere of peace will automatically receive murmurs to silence from any visitor. On a side note, the sanctuary also showcases the art of ancient sword-fighting, along with heart-thumping elephant rides.
Buddha Mountain Pattaya
This particular attraction features a rare image of Buddha sitting cross-legged in his signature pose, carved into the face of the Buddha Mountain. The entire image is worked out from a computer software and was drawn onto the Buddha Mountain with a laser beam. Gold was used to fill in the sculpture after the drawings were done. An important thing to remember, would be the dress code prior to entering the sacred area. Appropriate clothing that covers up the shoulders and legs above the knee area, is a strict must. It is completely free for visitors to enter the sacred grounds, although there are a few restrictions with regards to how close visitors can get to the mountain due to the frightening possibility of getting hurt by stones that tumble down the mountain. Fortunately, the respective can-go and cannot-go areas are all clearly marked to enforce safety.
Wat Phra Yai Temple
Paying Wat Phra Yai Temple a visit may require a certain amount of determination and fitness. Nevertheless, countless visitors are still willing to take up the challenge as they know once at the top of Pratumnak Hill, they will be rewarded with a spectacular view of a gigantic 18-Metre seated Golden Buddha Statue. Widely known as the largest in Pattaya, the ornately-designed statue is the main attraction of Wat Phra Yai Temple. Apart from the statue, there are other beautiful things to see in the temple itself. An example will include the staircase leading up to the platform area of the sitting Buddha- where one can admire the beauty of flanking golden dragons engraved onto the handrails. Another interesting activity is to ring a row of bells with a huge stick, which is believed to bring good fortune. During cultural festivals such as Songkran, the temple can get really crowded. For those who desire a real cultural experience, it is most ideal to arrive in the mornings to witness the locals put up their offerings to the temple while monks carry out their routine chants. Overall, the Big Buddha Statue in Wat Phra Yai Temple is a highlight which can be enjoyed by anyone ranging from a limitless knowledge to zero knowledge on Buddhism itself.
Viharn Sien - Anek Kusala Sala
The Viharn Sien means ‘House of the Gods’, and was built for the current King of Thailand’s 60th birthday. It is a beautiful Chinese temple as of now and also functions as a museum. Masked in a graceful Chinese nature, the real attraction lies within it as the museum is one of the best places in Asia outside of China to see priceless Chinese antiques. Inside the museum, one can discover Chinese potteries from several dynasties, statues of Shaolin monks showcasing martial art techniques. Even the rare terracotta army soldiers and chariots from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi can be seen. A section of the Viharn Sien is singled out to show dedication for Thai art and history. Paintings which show the history of Thailand’s great Kings can be viewed too.
To conclude, the top four must-see holy sites in Pattaya are definitely worth visiting. If time constraint happens to be an issue during a vacation to Pattaya, do make an attempt to drop by at least one of the recommended holy sites to soak in the beauty of tranquility.
