Joanna James
Koh Samui is a fabulous place to visit, offering holiday-makers an endless array of beaches, markets and attractions to explore. Listed are some of the 'best' experiences and places to visit on the sunny island.
The dreamy beaches of Koh Samui abound with island vibes and are just perfect to bring out the 'lazy tourist' in you. If you plan on enjoying loads of swimming, snorkelling and chilling under a shady coconut palm, pencil in lots of time to be spent at the following; Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, Bophut Beach and Bang Por Beach. Your best bet is to book one of the Koh Samui resorts sitting right on the sandy banks of a beach like Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort; these places are ideal if you want to wake up to the sound of the surf and catch an amazing sunrise.
Thailand is a devoutly Buddhist nation and home to a large number of beautiful Buddhist shrines, many of which date back centuries. Koh Samui is no different and it's a pity to not explore these fascinating places when spending time on the sunny island. Do check out the Wat Plai Laem, the iconic Big Buddha, Wat Khunaram, Laem Sor Pagoda and Wat Rattanakosin; wat meaning temple. Many of these shrines located on hills offer expansive views across the island and ocean and are holistic grounds for experiencing local traditions and customs. Make sure to dress respectfully and behave courteously.
The night markets of Koh Samui are pretty impressive. Most are located around towns within the island and are chock full with all manner of goodies, including local souvenirs and a wide variety of food stalls. At these bazaars you can buy just about anything; clothes, accessories, handicrafts etc. Do check out the Chaweng Night Market located next to Chaweng Lake as well as the Chaweng Walking Street which takes place close to the Petch Buncha Samui Stadium. Head over to the area between The Wharf in Bophut and Fisherman's Village, on Fridays, where a large walking market takes place. There is another walking street market in Lamai, happening every Sunday.
As an island blessed with high hills in its central region, Koh Samui offers you some breath-taking views across the Gulf of Thailand. Two of the most popular lookout sites are, Wat Rattanakosin and the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda. There is also the Samui Viewpoint located between Chaweng and Lamai that's worth a visit.
This place also called the Secret Buddha Garden is situated on the Khun Nim Peak to the centre of the island; to get there you must follow the street located in front of the Wat Khunaram. The garden is filled with statues of the Buddha, snakes, birds and other mysterious symbols. Well worth a visit if you love exploring exotic places.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
