What to see on Samui – the list attractions

Samui Island is primarily interesting for a beach holiday, and to this It has all three dozen beaches. If you objectively look on the nature of the island, the first thing that catches your eye is simplicity. There is nothing here that could be called “amazing” “stunning” or “I have never seen such a thing in my life.” Centre Samui Islands are high hills and mountains overgrown with jungle. Everything it is surrounded by endless beaches, and in some other mountains come across beautiful places where streams fall from stones and their called waterfalls. So Samui residents had to attend to construction of artificial attractions, and here there is already what to see on Samui even for the sophisticated tourist. Below i tried to make some top most-most, or as we say colleagues in England – “must see” places and attractions Samui

The content of the article

• 1 Excursions on Samui
• 2 What to see on Samui
  • 2.1 Namuang and Safari Park Waterfalls
  • 2.2 Rocks Grandma and Grandpa (Hin Ta & Hin Yai)
  • 2.3 Hin Lad Waterfall
  • 2.4 Dusit Deva – Samui Cultural Center
  • 2.5 Guan Yu Chinese Sanctuary
  • 2.6 Angthong Marine Park
  • 2.7 Magic Garden – Magic Garden
  • 2.8 Mummified Monks
  • 2.9 Paradise park
  • 2.10 Fishermans Village – Fisherman’s Village in Bophut
  • 2.11 Big Buddha – Big Buddha
  • 2.12 Play Lam Temple Complex – Wat Plai Laem
  • 2.13 Red Temple and Serpent Stone Pagoda
  • 2.14 Khao Hua Chook Chedi Pagoda
  • 2.15 Viewpoints of Samui
  • 2.16 Samui Aquarium And Tiger Zoo – Zoo and Aquarium
  • 2.17 Standing Buddha in the mountains of Lamai
  • 2.18 The Lam So Pagoda and the Rattanakosin Pagoda
• 3 Map of Attractions

Excursions on Samui

Knowing our person’s skepticism towards paid services for the border suggest that a bunch of people in pursuit of a penny spoils their miserable two weeks of vacation trying to save. Good, if you are fine with driving skills and you can rent Cheap scooter for two – I myself am like that. But if you do not know how to drive, if you want to catch more in the time allotted by the holiday schedule – Then take a tour, it simplifies everything for you. You carry on the most popular places, help in the occurrence of incomprehensible situations and all the connections and key points to visit are verified by time and office experience. That is, you do not climb into the grotto before tide, for example.

Excursions for sale on every corner, including at the reception the hotel. The only caveat – you need to find out whether the Russian-speaking guide. This is true in cases where the tour suggests some story, in other cases the tour will be in fact, the transfer and in what language the guide will no longer speak, since its task then it will only enter to bring you to location and take back.

What to see on Samui

Namuang Waterfalls and Safari Park

Two waterfalls, Namuang-1 and Namuang-2 belong to the same river, but thoroughly differ in appearance. Lower Falls, Namuang-1 is almost a sheer cliff with a height of about 20 meters, with where the water falls in a beautiful font, like in the movies (you can swim). And the upper waterfall, Namuang-2, is a sloping wall, along which smoothly, breaking into dozens of streams, water flows down to Namuangu first. You can swim here too, though all are decent places are located above the tourist trail, but you are not will stop? Just keep in mind that the most spectacular period for waterfalls on Koh Samui, this is September-October and the end of January-February. In all the rest of the months you are either waiting for the mass of yellow rainwater, or on the contrary – the waterfalls are dry from the heat. More about waterfalls i wrote in the post “Namuang 2 Waterfall and Namuang 1 and how to get there.”

Namuang Waterfall 2

Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks (Hin Ta & Hin Yai)

One of the most famous sights of Samui, although is slightly scabrous in nature. There is a plot on the outskirts of Lamai shores, where a group of boulders of different sizes washed over with waves, one of which is similar to the phallus, and the second – well, in general, it is paired set Tourists like such things very much, just remember at least the leaning tower and pictures of visitors. Hin ta hin yai in translated from Thai means Grandma and Grandpa, now you know by what reason. The place is very beautiful, authentic, but extremely crowded and the best time to visit is morning hours. Why me I think so – see the article “Rocks Grandma and Grandpa on Samui – observation deck and stone member. ”

Rocks Grandma and Grandpa – Stone Grandpa

Hin Lad Waterfall

Hin Lad is a waterfall that is located two kilometers from the main road, and to it there is no convenient path with a handrail. You expects full tracking for an hour and a half, so do not come here in flip-flops and summer dresses. Only sandals, but better in jeans and closed clothes – whatever one may say, and this is a wild jungle. But at the end you expect a rare bonus on Samui – forgotten by people corner with a small waterfall and a font. Two kilometers around – not a soul, only birds and cicadas. The water is clean, upstream there are no farms or dirty farms like on Namuang-1, where can always sail an elephant’s turd from an elephant farm Namuanga-2. Read more about Hin Lade here – Hin Lad Waterfall Samui: the path through the jungle + secret place

Hin Lad Waterfall

Dusit Deva – Samui Cultural Center

Dusit Deva is a private mansion built in a beautiful place. District Lipa Noi. It’s quiet here, few cars, almost no tourists But there is a lot of interesting things to see here. Mansion non-residential, and its owner (collector of antique articles from Southeast Asia) turned your house and its territory into one big authentic a museum stuffed with lots of beautiful and unusual things. By the way to say, the photo below is just the main gate of the mansion, the beginning exposure. More about the cultural center – Dusit Dhewa – cultural center on the island of Samui.

Samui Cultural Center

Guan Yu Chinese Sanctuary

The construction of a large scale and with the prospect built it several years, and the people themselves gave the money to Samui. Presently built the very sanctuary with a huge statue of the red-faced god Guan Yu, finished finishing part of the interior, waiting for visitors tea rooms, parking and shopping arcade by the road. In the plans organizers to complete a large shopping center in the wasteland behind sanctuaries, and in general, the sight is very spectacular, photogenic and free. On inspection, you can safely lay about hours, and if you come here yourself, then podgadvayte under lunchtime at the same time and have a snack. I want to immediately dump you the secret mission of this sanctuary, but better follow the link and read my post on Guan Yu and the Hainan Samui community – “Guan Yu Sanctuary on Samui – a place where they communicate generations. ”

Guan Yu on Samui

Angthong Marine park

Angtong Marina Park consists of a scattering of islands of various sizes, which lie in the sea west of Samui. This is one of the few places where you can get only as part of the tour (although if you a lot of money, you can hire a private boat). I will not become now tell you about volcanic origin and historical facts – who cares what rocks are made of and who found them? Guides will tell you about it. Much more important is Marina Park, this is a tropical “Lost World”, with islands noisy with birds, secret lakes, many caves and grottoes, wild beaches and stunning panoramas. Remember, at the beginning of the post I wrote about the simplicity of nature samui? So in Marina Park everything is strictly the opposite: bright, beautiful, sunny, breathtakingly, you never have seen! Do not refuse to travel in any case.

Angtong Marina Park, Samui

Magic Garden – Magic Garden

This is a small, strange, but photogenic landmark. In the picturesque mountain hollow, along the bottom of which a river runs, one an aging planter decided to take up sculpture. He was not professional, so the time for the creation of Magic Garden took a lot and some figures look clumsy or disproportionate. Due to the humid climate and jungle, cement quickly turned dark, sometimes even turned green, and the whole composition became look like quite an ancient creation. After the death of the author, his ashes were buried in one of the Magic Garden houses, and heirs decided that the place can bring money. It appeared one of the iconic sights of Samui, where the entrance costs 80 baht. Read more about how to get to the garden here. “The magical garden on Samui – Buddha and bungalows in a mysterious the forest. ”

Magic Garden Magic Garden

Mummified monks

In total, there are two mummified monks on Koh Samui. One turned out to be a very popular attraction, thanks the location of the temple of Khunaram. He stands on the main road nearby from turns to Namuang waterfalls, so the temple is not deprived of attention tourists and travel agencies. And the second temple, Kirivongkaram, very old and really authentic, standing on the other side Islands, by the sea. In size and architecture both temples very similar, the mummies are also not particularly different, except that the second mummies have no sunglasses. Therefore you have the opportunity look dead in the eyes, if you are not disgusted. My personal Opinion – Kirivongkaram undeservedly bypassed, at least because it is located in a picturesque place, and not far from it There are several small caves on the shore of Taling Ngam. Read more I wrote about all mummies here – “The mummified monk on Samui – how many are there really. ”

Paradise Park

Contact Zoo. I do not know how you personally feel about this a kind of entertainment, but the place is childish, and children’s problems are much less and they like it. And against the background of a general lack of children’s entertainment, Paradise Park becomes a must-have destination visit at least once. Painted pigeons, unpainted deer, parrots, turtles, other safe and mimic animals available for “touch” and “cuddle”, although the pleasure is not free. The park is located high in the mountains, the road leads there with good coated, not dangerous, so it is not necessary to take a tour there, It’s easier to get by on your own ride in a rented car. Learn more about how much a ticket costs, how to get there, etc. read in my review – Paradise Park on Samui (Paradise Park) – mini zoo on the island.

Contact Zoo Paradise Park

Fishermans Village – Fisherman’s Village at Bophut

The fishing village on Samui is one of the very first settlements on an island that has long ceased to be a fishing village, despite the presence of two piers. Now it’s kilometer long street, completely occupied by cafes, restaurants, shops and other tourist attractions. The street runs along the coast, so the side facing the sea is mostly restaurants. In 2016 year was built a beautiful shopping complex The Warf, where a small area are located in one or two floors, stylized as a fishing village. Very cozy place with cool restaurants and a cool bar on the beach – I highly recommend to visit in the evening at sunset. The embankment was also civilized, covered lawn, set tables and hammocks. Fridays on Fisherman a weekly night fair takes place when an already close the street is clogged collapsible trays of street vendors.

Piers Fisherman Village

Big Buddha – Big Buddha

The Big Buddha statue is located in the northeast of Samui, on a small island, which is connected with a large island in bulk with the road. The height of the statue is about 12 meters, not very big of what I saw, but the biggest on Koh Samui. To her lead 60 steps, and the staircase is divided by a railing into three rows and The central row, as I was explained, is intended only for monks. Around the site you can find other statues of Buddha, smaller, different figures from Thai mythology, Chinese and Indian deities – Thais are very tolerant in matters of religion. Next to the statue Buddhist temple is located Wat Phra Yai, and on the street leading to Buddha sells clothes and souvenirs. At the end of the street, opposite the Big Buddha in the water is a sculpture of Thai fairy tales. If a interesting details, read my post – “Big Buddha on Samui – not very big, but under the protection of transformers. ”

Buddha Statue – Big Buddha

Play Lam Temple Complex – Wat Plai Laem

Near the main sights of Samui, a statue Big Buddha, there is undeservedly deprived of the attention of travel agencies temple complex Play Lam. The complex represents artificial reservoir on which three concrete are built foundation platform. The Playa Lam Temple was erected in the center; him – the multi-armed Chinese goddess Kuan Yin, and on the left – the Hindu Hottey surrounded by smaller deities. Play Lam – visual An example of how in Thai culture easily coexist three main Asian religions. Next to the reservoir there is another temple and the initial school. Entry to the complex is free, there are many tourists, but don’t compare with the amount that hustles around Big Buddha, although in my opinion, Play Lam is much prettier and more comfortable. Everything details and many pictures of this sights – Temple Play Laem complex is a tourist, but very beautiful place.

View of the complex from the school

Red Temple and Serpent Stone Pagoda

Near the rocks of Hin Ta Hin Yai, the original Wat temple was built. Ratchathammaram, painted red. Rachatammaram is replica, which is in the stage of protracted, but on his territory there is a much older buddhist shrine. Pagoda The power of Ngu, or the Serpent Stone Pagoda, which is more than 250 years old attracts pilgrims here, both mere mortals and members royal family. A place not to say some kind of fucking but very conveniently located near the road, the pictures look extremely photogenic, and in the temple cemetery buried the first farang tourist on Samui, who put a lot efforts to ensure that the island became known to the world. More Details and photos can be found in the article “Red Temple on Samui and the First Tourist – a time of amazing stories. ”

Red Temple on Samui

Khao Hua Chook Chedi Pagoda

The second largest (after the Lam So pagoda) Buddhist stupa on Samui Located on top of a low hill in the settlement area Chaweng, from which, however, offers stunning panoramic views. From the Kao Hua Chok pagoda, you can see the airport runway, and Lake Chaweng, and Chaweng himself with beaches, and also Play Lam, Big Buddha, Bo Phut and Maenam beaches. If it were not for the shrine, this place could have been call the main viewpoint Samui. Entry to the territory is free, parking for vehicles there, to come here independently – in general no problem. After reconstruction in 2016 on the top platform removed the bells, which rang from the wind, causing the place of the light lost in charm, but still for me it remains in the top The most interesting attractions of the island. I have a post with details about the pagoda – “Chaweng Pagoda – lookout with a 360 degree view. ”

View of the pagoda from the side of Chaweng Lake

Viewpoint Samui

Due to the relief of the island, Samui has a lot of viewing points. publicly referred to as “viewpoints” from the English view point. As you can imagine, there are only four types on the island. viewpoints – in accordance with the cardinal points, therefore there is no need to visit them all (you will find them on the map at the end of this post), it is better to go to the most famous and easily accessible ones. The main places that you definitely need to get to camera: Gecko Bar – in the north, dawn in the east Viewpoint – Samui Camp Bar, in the south – the Rattanakosin Pagoda, and on west is good to watch the sunset on the Chair-stone. And, as panoramic viewpoint I would recommend a viewing platform around Khao Hua Chok pagodas on Chaweng. All five viewpoints are located in beautiful places where you can easily reach yourself.

One of the Samui Viewpoints

Samui Aquarium And Tiger Zoo – Zoo and Aquarium

Despite the presence of tigers in the name of the sights, it’s more like an aquarium than a zoo. The place is well known, popular, but sad in terms of animal lovers. The landmark is located ten minutes south of Lamai beach and has its own territory with a large parking lot Entry is not quite adequate money, but as I wrote higher amid a shortage of children’s entertainment, even at such prices tourists agree. Inside you can see a variety of marine residents and a couple of tigers tormented by the heat. Adults usually go out from AquaZoo with mixed feelings, but children like entertainment. Shows with tigers, birds and seals are held daily. Many photos and my detailed impressions of this place – “The aquarium and tiger zoo on Samui is sad and expensive.”

Aquarium and Tiger Zoo

Standing Buddha in the mountains of Lamai

Buddha Teepangkorn or Pra Putta Teepangkorn – attraction, available or bought a tour by jeep, or desperate daredevils who independently conquer not the most best road to samui. The statue is located on the second highest point of the island, along with a historical museum and building for holding Buddhist events. The views here just open up. fantastic, the main thing is lucky with the weather. Area around standing Buddha is constantly updated, new statues appear, improve pavement around the top. But the rest of the way, several kilometers of mountain serpentine, constantly suffering from rainy, making Tepangkorn Buddha’s trip real an adventure even for motorcyclists with experience. Not necessary to rent something super powerful, even a Honda Click will be drawn in here, the main thing on the descent then often stop and cool down the brakes. Cars cars here ordered the road – only four-wheel drive.

Phra Buddha Tepangkorn in the mountains of Lamai

Lam So Pagoda and Rattanakosin Pagoda

The place is remote from the main tourist routes, and therefore unloved travel agencies and deprived of the attention of the masses. And in vain, because The Lam Soo Pagoda is the number one stupa on Samui size, it has an interesting history and beautiful location – right on the sea of trees. Next to Lam Stock there are three interesting Buddhist sights, which are generally few Who knows: the temple-boat, the statue of a monk on the ship and the pagoda Rattanakosin. This pagoda is also called the Buddha Chedi or the Small Buddha, because of the statue of the little Buddha, who first meets you at the very top of the neighboring Lam So Hill pagoda. Besides the little Buddha has some pretty big statues of him sitting there the Buddha lying, as well as a place for meditation and a magnificent view of south and east. I will say more – this is a great viewing platform for those who want to watch the sunset without leaving the west coast Samui Look at the details here in this post – “Laem Sor Pagoda and Little Buddha is a very atmospheric place. ”

Lam So Pagoda

Attractions map

Life hacking 1 – how to buy a good insurance

Choosing insurance is now unrealistically difficult, therefore, to help everyone travelers, I make a rating. To do this, constantly monitor forums, I study insurance contracts and use insurance by myself.

Insurance Rating

Life hacking 2 – how to find a hotel 20% cheaper

First, choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel is often possible find 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.

Discount hotels