I added the Buddha Hill to my list of Pattaya tourist attractions, though a Buddha on a hilltop is certainly not a tourist attraction unique to Pattaya. Most towns and cities throughout Thailand have a Buddha monument and/or a temple placed on top of a prominent hill, that’s so long as there is a hill. Buddha Hill is located off Pratamnak Road, between Pattaya and Jomtien, to find Buddha Hill on the map, go to the bottom of this post and click on the “Pattaya Buddha Hill” map link.
Before you get to the bottom of the steps leading up to the Buddha there are 2 or 3 shops selling refreshments and souvenirs, you might also see small birds in wooden cages, the idea is you pay to have one of these birds released and you receive some good luck.
At the bottom of the steps you notice two 7 headed serpents which go up the full length of the steps, their tails are at the very top. The serpents are called Naga, and they are Buddhas protectors. Immediately to the left, again at the bottom of the steps, there is a long row of bells and a stick to strike them with, you can strike each bell once with the stick to make good merit.
When you arrive at the top of the steps you will see the main Buddha statue surrounded by a collection of various Buddha characters, including 7 Buddhas who represent each day of the week. You can buy incense sticks and garlands of flowers and offer them to Buddha if you so wish. Some great views of Pattaya from here as well.
The main Buddha takes a central position, the various other Buddha figures, including the 7 Buddhas for each day of the week are all positioned around the outer perimeter.
It won’t take long to take in the sights of Buddha Hill, as a suggestion you could also visit “San Xian Garden“, you pass this on your left side just before you get to the Buddha Hill parking area. After that you can visit the famous Pattaya Viewing Point, when you get to the bottom of the road which leads up to Buddha Hill, go right for just a few meters until you come to the junction, turn left, then take the second road on the right, it goes up a steep hill, the first road on your right is the way back down. When you arrive at the top the viewpoint is to the left.
Map and directions to Pattaya Buddha Hill on Google Maps.