Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain)

The carving is an outline of the Buddha in the Sukhothai style, seated in meditation, drawn onto the cliff with a laser and then inlaid with gold leaf along the lines. It was created in 1996 for the Golden Jubilee of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which is why it is formally a royal monument rather than a temple. At about 109 metres it is among the largest Buddha images in the world, and the proportions only make sense when a person walks across the lawn below it. The area in front is a park with a small shrine, flower beds and shaded seating.

There is no ticket and no queue. Park or get dropped at the entrance, walk a few minutes to the viewing lawn, take your photographs and leave; most people are done in twenty minutes. Mornings before 10:00 and the hour before sunset give the softest light and the fewest tour buses. Dress respectfully: it is treated as a religious site and visitors in beachwear are asked to cover up. Toilets and drink stalls are at the car park.

Khao Chi Chan is 20 km south of Pattaya and there is no public transport, so it is a stop on a car or tour itinerary rather than a destination. A Bolt or Grab from central Pattaya costs about 400 THB each way; a private driver for a half day around 1,500–2,000 THB lets you link it with Silverlake Vineyard next door, the gardens of Wat Yansangwararam and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden ten minutes further on. The Ramayana water park is on the same road, so families sometimes stop here on the way.