Joanna James
Although it is one of the country's most exquisite beach holiday hotspots, Koh Samui is home to a lot more than white, sandy beaches. Here are five attractions every visitor must explore on a tour of Koh Samui.
Occupying pride of place near Big Buddha Beach, Wat Plai Laem is renowned as one of Thailand's most spectacular spiritual highlights. Home to a mammoth 18-arm statue of the goddess Guanyin, this iconic place of worship welcomes visitors from around the country and the world at large due to its ornate interiors and larger than life statue of the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. As a fixture that has been part of Koh Samui's northern reaches for decades, Wat Plai Laem is also picturesquely located next to a lake teeming with local fish species. Those who make a donation to the temple will be handed a bag of fish food to throw to the myriad of fish that flock to the shores during various times of the day.
Whether one is based at the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort or any other Koh Samui luxury resort on the island, a tour of the sprawling Ang Thong National Marine Park is a must for all vacationers. Ranked among Thailand's top playgrounds for nature lovers and water sports fanatics, the natural wealth of this protected enclosure makes it a prime location for engaging in snorkelling, scuba diving, island hopping, and sailing activities. With hidden caves, coves, mangrove forests, and waterfalls among its attributes, one could hardly conceive of a more idyllic national park than this 100sqkm enclave.
Located in Nathon, the Na Muang Waterfalls is another natural heritage site every tourist must visit during a stay in Koh Samui. Home to not one but two waterfalls, the area is a prime picnic location that's best visited during the evening hours as the crowds are known to recede during the later hours of the day. Easily accessible, visitors can hike up the tree-root and rock-laden path that's well-worn due to the site's popularity and also enjoy a dip in the pools at the foot of the waterfall to cool off.
Towering above the surrounding landscape, the Secret Buddha Garden is nestled in the jungle hills of Koh Samui and is among the island's lesser-known attractions. Having been established in 1976, the Secret Buddha Garden is thus named due to the large number of Buddha statues that are found along the path to the garden and within its leafy confines. The brainchild of a fruit farmer named Nim Thongsuk, this lush enclave full of sculptures is also known as Koh Samui's "Magic Garden" due to its enchanting atmosphere.
The physical remains of Samui's best known mummified priest are found at the Wat Khunaram temple in Lamai, Koh Samui. Although the monk passed away only two decades ago, his remains were mummified and placed in a glass casing as per his instructions and still shows very few indicators of decay.
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.
