I have seen many Buddha statues and images in my travels but the only ones I have ever seen carved in mountains were in Afghanistan near Lake Bandimir in Banyam Province. Well, much to my dismay and sadness, the Taliban destroyed the ancient gigantic Buddhas in Afghanistan in 1996. Lets hope the Khao Chee Chan Buddha does not receive the same fate. Thailand has many Buddha images, statues and paintings in all manner of locations. This one must be one of the tallest Buddhas in the world.

The Buddha Mountain, located in a beautiful park, is dedicated to both Buddha and the Thai Royal Family, especially His Majesty King Bhumibol, the King of Thailand.

I visit such places for some peace and quiet in contrast to the frenetic non stop party atmosphere of night time Pattaya.

I love this beautiful area with its quiet charming atmosphere and sweet paths and walkways. There are areas and small altars for praying and lighting joss sticks in front of the Mountain. There is a lake and the whole area is interspersed with little streams and water gardens.There are lovely shrubs, lilies, irises and lotus flowers in abundance. The Buddha sparkles and shimmers in the sunlight as it soars benignly over the park and the visitors. There is a path to on the top of the cliff but it was too hot for me to walk the 200 yards the day I visited.

Instead I went for a large bottle of cold beer and some barbecued chicken at a local open air cafe over the road from the entrance. It is interesting to note that although this monument is only a short distance from Pattaya city you know you are in the countryside with country people because the out door restaurants only serve big bottles of beer: Excellent! And cheap. Which can't be bad can it?

You might be asking your self how this monument came to be created. When I asked around in a few local bars that night most foreign people and many Thais had not heard of the place or its origins. But eventually an old grizzled Vietnam vet type I met in a Biker Bar said the mountain had been sliced originally at the time of the Vietnam War, thus creating the flat 'cliff face', by American bombers, to make a clear take off and landing site for the nearby USAF Airbase at Utapao. Years later after a period of ugly neglect The outline of the Buddha was carved into it and gradually filled in with gold leaf. The area was landscaped into a park and dedicated to the 50th anniversary of The His Majesty King Bhumibol, the King of Thailand.

You can visit this place as part of a small organised tour in a mini bus. Or you can go on a larger coach. Me: I just hired a Song Laew Baht bus for 150 Thai Baht, I think. He waited around then drove us back to Pattaya City.

Or you can rent a car or motorcycle to make your way to this place from Pattaya.

If you are driving your self in a car or on a motor bike head south from Pattaya City down Sukhumvit Road towards Sattahip. After five km you should pass The large Ambassador Hotel, if you are heading in the correct direction it should be on the right. If it is on the left you are going in the wrong direction. Look out for a sign to Khao Chee Chan in English. With luck this will take you to to the Chinese Viharna Sein and Buddha Mountain.

If you get lost look out for the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, and go there instead as it is also a beautiful location.

Please remember that Tuk Tuk drivers, Taxi boys and Songtaew drivers do not always know where they are going, especially if it is off their regular route. They do not "Do The Knowledge" like London Taxi drivers! So be prepared to make serendipity work for you!

I suggest you hire a songtaew for yourself, so it ceases to be a public bus taxi, and is for your use only. Then you don't have to worry about driving and can have nice relaxing drink.

Of course, you can visit this place as part of a small or large organised tour in a charabanc or a mini bus or such like. We just hired a Songtaew Baht bus for about 150 Thai Baht, I think. The driver waited while we explored the place. After we had lunch, some fiercly hot food and some barbecued chicken and a large bottle of cold beer then our driver took us back to Pattaya City.

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