From its site high atop the Nakkerd Hills, Phuket’s Big Buddha cuts a striking figure. This gigantic statue covered in white Burmese marble stands 45 meters (148 feet) tall. The panoramic view from its base is dazzling, taking in the island’s rolling green hills and mountains, Chalong Bay and the sea beyond. To commemorate your visit, you can buy a small marble tile, write a message on it and leave it at the base of the Buddha. The money paid for the tiles helps maintain the attraction, which includes smaller statues and a meditation hall. Construction began in 2004 and is still ongoing around the base.

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