Lamai · Cultural Sites
Wat Teepangkorn
Phra Buddha Dipankara
A mountaintop temple on Khao Pom, Koh Samui's highest point (about 635 m), with a large golden standing Buddha, a ring of luck bells, a small museum and 360-degree island views. Reached only by a very steep mountain road - 4x4 or experienced riders. Small donation requested.
- Free
- Lamai
- Checked 25 Sept
Insider tips
- Bring a light jacket - it is cooler and windier at the summit than at the beach.
- Check the weather first: cloud hides the view and rain makes the road risky.
- Ring all the bells in sequence - a local custom for good fortune.
- Combine with the Secret Buddha Garden on the same mountain road.
The story
Wat Teepangkorn is a mountaintop temple at the summit area of Khao Pom, the highest point of Koh Samui at roughly 620-635 metres above sea level (sources vary slightly). Its centrepiece is a large golden standing Buddha known as Phra Buddha Teepangkorn (the Google Maps listing names the statue 'Pra Buddha Dipankara'), facing out over the island with hands raised in a gesture of protection. Around the statue's base is a square lined with dozens of small bells; local custom is to walk around and ring each bell for good luck.
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The complex also holds a small multi-storey museum of old objects and Buddhist artefacts with a rooftop terrace giving true 360-degree views over Lamai, Chaweng, the coconut plantations and the sea. The temple is modern and still partly under construction - expect a work-in-progress feel. Reaching it is part of the adventure: the final road is extremely steep, narrow and partly unpaved, so most visitors come by 4x4 jungle tour; only experienced riders should attempt it by motorbike, and never in wet conditions.
A small donation of about 20-40 THB is requested for the esplanade and museum. It can be noticeably cooler and windier at the top.
Good to know
- Open daily in daylight hours. The access road is steep; avoid driving it after dark.
- Free · Free entry; donations welcome.
- Early morning (often above the mist, coolest) or golden hour before sunset. Skip the visit in rain or heavy cloud.
- Family friendly: Yes
Plan a visit
Free route: you go by your own scooter, car or on foot and we work out the order. Private tour: a local driver picks you up and takes you.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 · 8 sources
Sources and last check
- Last checked
- 25 Sept 2026
- What was checked
- Details checked 25 Sept 2026
- Next check due
- September 2027
Official sources
No official source published yet for this page.
Plus 8 other references and local research.
