Although Koh Samui is arguably the perfect paradise for vacations, honeymoons, and the like, it remains a huge part of Thailand. And just like any other part of the country, this island has its own fair share of Thai culture and heritage. The most beautiful of them are definitely the temples, ornate and solemn in all their historic glory. Though they're far from the likes in Bangkok and Phuket, they're nevertheless beautiful in their own way, Instagram-worthy even! And definitely, a must-see when you're on the island. Here are Koh Samui's top five temples to visit!
Wat Phra Yai
Wat Phra Yai is undoubtedly the most famous temple in all of Koh Samui yet the name itself probably isn't all that famous. Why? Because most people, particularly tourists, simply refer to it as the 'Big Buddha.' As you can already expect, the
pièce de résistance of Wat Phra Yai is the 12-meter high golden Buddha statue on top of the main stairway. Located in the northern part of the island, specifically in the Bophut
neighborhood of Koh Samui, you can just see its gilded majesty even from a mile away. Two colorful serpents that line the stairway welcome you to the Big Buddha in all his glory.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Wat Plai Laem
Thai temples really have a thing for big statues, don't they? There are some in
Bangkok and
Phuket, and here in Koh Samui, there are also a few that you simply have to see for yourself. The first is the already-mentioned golden Buddha in Wat Phra Yai and the other is the equally astounding 18-armed Guan Yin statue in Wat Plai Laem. The icon, beaming with color and an item on each hand, is the Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion. She's probably the only diety apart from Buddha to be given a giant statue in a temple in all of Thailand. That alone makes her worth visiting!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Wat Khunaram
Now, if you truly want to see something that's unique, one that no other Thai temple in the country has, then you have to go to Wat Khunaram! Here, it isn't the Buddha statues and ancient artifacts that the visitors flock to see. It's the eerie mummified monk displayed in a glass case and given his own altar as if he was a deity himself. Most of the monk's physicality has been preserved apart from his eyes which, for the most part, are hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses. The unidentified monk was said to have passed on back in 1973 and that his years of meditation, fasting, and his purported healthy lifestyle are what helped preserve his corpse.
Source: Flickr.com/ Qsimple
Wat Ratchathammaram
For Wat Ratchathammaram, it's the temple itself that's truly a sight to see. Also known as the 'Red Temple of Koh Samui,' the terracotta-hued temple is the only one of its kind on the island, possibly even in the entire country. More often than not, Thai temples tend to be gilded or painted colorfully in shades of green, yellow, and red. Wat Ratchathammaram, on the other hand, only exhibits its notable deep earth red shade, making the golden Buddha statue inside stand out even more. Still, even when it's practically devoid of color, the temple itself is truly beautiful.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Wat Samret
Finally, there's Wat Samret located in the Na Mueang district. Far less popular than all the other temples on this list, it's practically a well-kept secret among the locals on the island. But it's the fact that it's not that famous that actually makes it all the more worthwhile. Since there are fewer visitors here, you can expect a more peaceful atmosphere and a more solemn vibe in Wat Samret. It truly exemplifies what it means to be a place of worship and serves its purpose beyond being a tourist attraction. Though the assembly of stone Buddha statues is also quite the sight to see!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Before you go thinking that Thai temples are a dime a dozen, you need to visit the best ones in Koh Samui first! From a giant Buddha to a mummified monk, what these sacred places offer here are fascinating rarities you won't find anywhere else!
After seeing the temples in Koh Samui yourself, you'll want to get back to the modern real world, won't you? Then get yourself a
luxury home that's fit just for you!
