An eighteen-armed statue
A huge white figure above the lake.
Kirsten — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0
A colourful modern temple on a lake in north-east Samui, minutes from the Big Buddha, striking for its huge white statues above the water. The best known is a large white statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy in Chinese tradition, with eighteen arms, and a fat laughing Buddha. The temple blends Thai architecture with Chinese influences, with a prayer hall on a platform in the lake adorned with colourful murals, walkways over the water, and plenty of fish that visitors feed. The bright colours against lake and sky make it one of Samui's most photographed places. Entry is free; it opens in daytime, and modest dress is required, with cover-ups lent at the entrance. For Arab visitors it is an architecture and photography stop more than a religious destination, and half an hour is enough. Pair it with the Big Buddha in the morning, then head to nearby Choeng Mon beach.
A huge white figure above the lake.
Colourful murals on a platform.
Bright colours on the lake.
North-east Samui, near the Big Buddha
No, it is fairly modern, visited for its colourful architecture and giant statues on the lake more than for history.
