What to see in Koh Samui: the island’s attractions

The content of the article

1. The Big Buddha
2. Wat Plai Laem Temple
3. Fisherman’s Village
4. Angthong National Marine Park
5. Pig Island (Koh Madsum or Pig Island)
6. The Magic Garden of the Buddha (Magic Garden Samui)
7. Paradise Park (Paradise Park Farm Samui)
8. The mummified monk at Wat Khunaram Temple
9. Waterfalls on Koh Samui
10. Koh Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo
11. Viewing platforms on Koh Samui

Koh Samui is distinguished by its distinctive tropical nature and climate: according to most tourists, Koh Samui is a “tropical paradise” of Southeast Asia. People come here in search of privacy and balance, to relax on snow-white beaches among coconut palms.

Among the main natural attractions of the island are numerous waterfalls and observation decks, Ang Tong National Marine Park, snake and crocodile farms, and an aquarium.

There are a number of Buddhist temples on the island, but there are no historical religious buildings among them — most of the pagodas and monasteries were built at the end of the twentieth century to attract tourists.

The Big Buddha

The Big Buddha is located in the northeast of the island and is a kind of tourist attraction center of Koh Samui. It was established in 1972 and symbolizes purification, clarity of consciousness and purity of intentions. The Buddha is placed on a pedestal, which is reached by a staircase of 60 steps with railings made in the shape of dragons. Around the statue there are rooms of the temple, built in traditional Thai style.

Wat Plai Laem Temple

A modern Buddhist temple in the open air, located 10 minutes from the Big Buddha of Koh Samui. It was created by the famous Thai artist Jarit Fumdonming in 2004 in a syncretic style combining the currents of Thai, Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. The main statue of the temple, the eighteen—armed Guanyin, is made in the tradition of Chinese Buddhist art. Among other things, the temple also features statues of Buddha, Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva and other deities.

Fisherman’s Village

Fishing village is a peculiar name for the night market area in the vicinity of Bo beach Phut is in the north of the island. Historically, this area was inhabited by Chinese fishermen, who built wooden houses on stilts here and engaged in fishing and selling fish. Today, the village is a night market and a promenade with traditional Thai souvenirs and tropical fruits, as well as many restaurants and cafes offering national cuisine.

Angthong National Marine Park

It is an archipelago of tropical islands in the Gulf of Thailand to the west of Koh Samui. The park consists of 42 almost uninhabited islands with preserved untouched tropical nature. The peculiarity of the islands is the presence of many karst caves. To visit the park, you need to purchase a boat tour, including diving, kayaking and climbing to the observation deck.

Pig Island (Koh Madsum or Pig Island)

A small island to the south of Koh Samui, known for its unspoilt nature and a colony of pigs living on the coastal territory. There are several theories about how pigs appeared on the island: from the legend that they were imported by pirates to the possibility of self-arrival from the farm of a neighboring island. The pigs of the island are not dangerous and are happy to communicate with tourists coming by boat.

The Magic Garden of the Buddha (Magic Garden Samui)

The Magical Buddha Garden is a park located in the heart of Koh Samui. It was created by farmer Nim Thongsuk, who cultivated durian for religious reasons near his plantations. The park consists of hundreds of stone statues of Buddha in the middle of a tropical jungle.

Paradise Park (Paradise Park Farm Samui)

Paradise Park is an animal farm located in the heart of the tropics, at the top of Mount Khao Pom. The park presents the numerous flora and fauna of Koh Samui in the form of a contact zoo, where everyone can touch the inhabitants of the wild. The farm also has a traditional restaurant.

The mummified monk at Wat Khunaram Temple

The famous Wat Khunaram temple with the body of the mummified monk Luang Pho Deng is located in the southeast of the island. According to legend, the monk’s body was mummified naturally after his death in 1974, which he had predicted earlier.

Waterfalls on Koh Samui

Total for Koh Samui has more than 5 large waterfalls, most of which are located in the central part of the island. The most famous are: Namuang 1 and 2, Khun Si, Tan Rua and Hin Lad. Waterfalls are most abundant during the rainy season, and some of them need to be reached about 1 km along an equipped natural trail.

Koh Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo

Koh Samui Aquarium and Tiger Farm are located near Bang Khao Beach in the southeast of the island. The aquarium features rare species of fish and marine animals living in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. For a fee, you can participate in feeding giant turtles. In addition to marine life, tourists can see a tiger show, as well as take photos with them up close.

Viewing platforms on Koh Samui

There are numerous observation decks around the perimeter of the island, which offer picturesque views of the sea, tropical jungles and surrounding cities.

Some of them are:

• Lamai observation deck and “Valentine’s Stone”;
• Lad Koch Observation Deck;
• observation deck “Overlapping stone”;
• The Mountain Grand View restaurant with panoramic platform;
• Tipangkorn Buddha with an observation deck.

Источник