A giant Buddha statue crowns Nakaked Mountain in the Chalong area. Its height is about 50 meters, and if you add the mountain's height of 400 meters above sea level, it creates an epic composition that can be seen from almost anywhere on Phuket island.
At the foot of the statue, the Big Buddha Temple is being built, promising to become one of the most significant attractions of Phuket and all of Thailand. Construction began at the start of this century and is still not finished, because the project is conceived on a grand scale, both culturally and financially.
Money for the temple is being raised, as the saying goes, by the whole community—donations come from ordinary Thais, tourists, local officials, and the royal family. You, too, can help with the construction by buying a small marble plaque for 100 baht and writing something nice on it.
Nakaked Mountain is mentioned in many legends. One of them says that the mythical serpent Naga lived here, while another tells how Buddha himself once sailed here and decided to meditate on the mountain's summit. As a result, light began to pour from the mountain, and the residents of the surrounding villages saw it.
There is plenty to see on the grounds of the complex: a magical gong that sings when stroked, golden and marble sculptures dedicated to deities, and monks who bless visitors. The temple may only be entered in appropriate clothing, not beachwear or sportswear.
