Koh Samui Tourist Attractions

Enjoying the sun and beach atmosphere lull you into the feeling that you never want to budge from the beach. But Koh Samui is an island of great natural beauty and has lots of things to be see. Even those who don't get excited about sightseeing will find that the journeys to these popular attractions will provide their own delights.

Monkey Theatre   
Located in Bophut, this crude zoo with a performing animal arena features shows several times a day. Small monkeys are trained to perform various tricks on stage, and then they climb the trees to demonstrate how they harvest coconuts; a feat for which the area's monkeys are uniquely skilled.

Hin Ta Hin Yai (at Lamai Beach)
Upon viewing those astonishing creations, even scientific purists would be tempted to believe that nature can also be as whimsical as the most eccentric artist. Also known as "Grandfather and Grandmother rocks"; entirely formed by the elements, two extraordinarily accurate male and female genitalia-shaped rock formations share a perch overlooking the sea. Delightfully refreshing forest forays, if you plan to do more than admiring the view - that is plunge into one of the island's natural waterfalls, then take along a sturdy and non-slip pair of old shoes and tread carefully. Those who have difficulty walking mountain paths are advised to visit Na Muang 1, and content themselves with enjoying the view. The volume of water at the falls will vary, depending on the time of year and recent rainfall. The last few months of the year are the wettest, while the months of March through September are fairly dry.

Koh Samui Snake Farm
Southern Thailand is home to a great many species of snakes, many of them venomous. The mountains of Koh Samui have their share. The bite of a full grown king cobra for example can bring death within one half hour. But don't worry! They are extremely reclusive, and chances are tiny that you will come in contact with one anyplace but at this attractions' two shows a day, where they are handled by capable and "death defying" trainers. Located in the southwest on the 4170 ring road.

Eight Headed Coconut Tree
"Have you ever seen one million coconut palms and you've seen them all?" Well not until you've seen the one with 8 heads. To get there, take 4169 ring road towards Nathon. One kilometer north of town is the turnoff. Wear long pants and study shoes for the hike through the jungle.

Mummified Monks
Monks are held as great reverence in Thailand, and many years ago, Koh Samui chose to mummify two of them. Their bodies can be seen in their well preserved forms some 20 years after their deaths at Wat Kiri Wongkaram and Wat Khunaram.

Buddha's Footprint
There is no sign showing the exact location of footprint and finding this attraction will be part of the adventure. Take Rt. 4170 and 2 km west of the turnoff for the Butterfly Garden, go up the concrete slope on the left. Housed in a hilltop shrine, four footprints have been engraved one atop another. There are 163 steps to climb in all, but the view up there is surrounded by treetops and valleys that will be worth for a visit.

Na Muang Waterfall 1
At southwest corner of the island, this is the most easily accessible of Samui's three waterfalls. Choose this one if you tire easily walking in the heat, as you can drive almost all the way to the spot. At the base of the falls, there is a large natural pool where you can take a dip.

Na Muang Waterfall 2
Accessible by way of a concrete road south of Na Muang 1 (on rte. 4169) this is considered mostly to be the island's most beautiful waterfall. You reach it by ascending a rocky path. The walk takes about 10 minutes.

Hin Lad Waterfall
Hikers will relish the two kilometer walk through the forest to reach this spot, where the falls with their lovely natural bathing pool awaits them. Located two kilometers south of Nathon, on the eastern end of route 4172.

Koh Samui Temples
The vast majority of the population consider themselves Buddhists. While the devoutness of their practice varies just as it does with religious peoples throughout the world, the temple remains a cultural focal point for every village. Many of the more high profile temples in the country have become tourist attractions, but remarkably, the presence of foreign visitors does not seem to distract or disturb those residents who come to pray. In Koh Samui, two temples are home to the displayed bodies of monks who were mummified some 20 years ago.

Some residents go to the local temple regularly to pay their respects to the Buddha, others go at times of misfortune or when they are visited by doubt and uncertainty. But all Buddhists visit sometimes. As everywhere in Thailand, Samui's temples range from the simple to the grand, and the latter attract many thousands of tourists each year.

If you visit a temple, please dress appropriately and be sure and remove your shoes before entering. When sitting or kneeling, be careful not to point your foot directly at the Buddha or worshipers.

Big Buddha Temple
Being one of Koh Samui's most popular attractions, Big Buddha image sitting 12 meters tall was built in 1972 by the local society to give visitors a place to pay respect to The Lord Buddha. This monumental landmark is placed on the Northern shore of the island.

This temple is the home of Koh Samui's most famous landmark and most of the visitors come to marvel at the sheer size and the beauty of this remarkable statue at some point during their holiday. Big Buddha is visible from several kilometers away and even from the air when landing or taking off on the airplane.

Wat Laem Sor
Laem Sor Chedi (also called Wat Laem Sor) is ornately designed Chedi (Pagoda) sits at the rocky water's edge. Covered in countless small yellow tiles and it appears golden when it is viewed from a short distance. It is situated at the far South of the island off the 4170 road between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka.

Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem is a newly built in 2004 and very ornate temple situated just near Big Buddha statue. Khun Jarit Phumdonming, artist of this temple, spent more than three years adding finer details to the external parts of the temple. The tradition of temple art follows the dates back to centuries and providing a good example of the influence and style that are still significant in modern Thai religious architecture.
The elaborate entry doors were made from two enormous slabs of Laotian hardwood and are intricately carved with images of the life of the Buddha.

Heaven's Garden (Magic Garden )
High in the hills that rise from the forested interior of the island, lies an art gallery extraordinary in many ways. The inspiration and creation of Nim Thongsuk, this son of 4 generations of Samui people decided at the age of 77, to create a little piece of heaven on earth in the hope that many of the increasing number tourists would appreciate not only his vision, but the extraordinary beauty of the island's hilltop forests.

Khun Nim spent his life in agricultural innovation, during which he was a pioneer in Durian farming techniques that are now credited for some superb crops of this delectable fruit, still grown and exported by island farmers. With the help of assistants, he sculpted dozens of figures inspired by Buddhist scriptures, in the mountaintop river bed on land belonging to his family. He remained absorbed in the project until his recent death at the age of 91. A spot far too little visited, Heaven's Garden is on some of the island's guided mountain tours.

Some of the creations are immediately apparent, others are either so small or so immense, you might miss them as you concentrate on keeping your step. So be prepared to take your time. Wear a sturdy old pair of shoes.

Secret Hall of Buddha
Wat Sumret is very old temple housing an ancient white marble Buddha believed to be hundreds years old. Inside there, it has a valuable collection of Buddha images. A monk will unlock the door for you on request.

If you visit a temple, please dress appropriately and be sure and remove your shoes before entering. When sitting or kneeling, be careful not to point your foot directly at the Buddha or worshipers, and always take care to keep your feet tucked away when in the presence of monks. Also keep your head at a level below theirs.

Located west of Hua Thanon off the #4169 ring road, Wat Samret is 200 metres down the second concrete road on the left.

Butterfly Garden
Built into a hillside covered with net, vividly colored tropical butterflies can be seen along the serpentine footpath. It is located opposite Central Samui Village in Hua Thanon.

Buffalo Fighting
A pair of male water buffaloes are pitted against one another in what amounts to a fairly harmless head wrestling contest. This widely loved spectacle still takes place at selected venues around the island, where banners are displayed days in advance. Like sumo, the elaborate and theatrical preparations are an important part of the show, after which the animals are set loose to glower and paw the ground. Finally they lock horns and the crowd goes wild. The show at the edge of the ring is just as entertaining as the one within. The first beast to turn and run away is the loser, and so are some punters in the crowd.

Samui Aquarium
Just around the corner from the Butterfly Garden at Laem Set beach, this newly-opened attraction features live specimens of local marine life in a darkened tunnel filled with tanks.
Also on display are some Bengal tiger cubs and leopards.

Naga Pearl Farm - Koh Matsum
A 20-minute boat trip from Ban Thong Krut, you will cross the sea by ferry to a sea farm where you can see how cultured pearls are created. The full day trip includes lunch, your choice of afternoon activities, and a stop at the Naga Pearl Shop on the way back.