If you’re looking to catch Pattaya at its most beautiful, try looking down at the wonderful city and lush greenery from far above. A number of wonderful attractions in Pattaya give visitors the opportunity to take in both culture as well as get a great view of the beauty. From remote temples atop mountains to sky diving off of airplanes from way above, Pattaya has a variety of different ways that tourists can get amazing high vantage points. The following is a list of the top 5 spots from which you can look down at all the splendor of Pattaya.

Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain)

Standing at a whopping 109 metres tall, Khao Chi Chan also known as Buddha Mountain is one of the Pattaya’s highest attractions. This gigantic image of the Buddha sitting cross-legged, with one hand resting on his knee and the other over his lap was carved into the Khao Chi Chan Mountain using a laser in commemoration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s golden jubilee.  The project was performed at night for maximum visibility and eventually the laser inscribed image was filled in with gold to produce the awe inspiring imagery that can be seen today.

There is a ground in front of Buddha Mountain which includes a temple, so appropriate clothing is required to get an up-close look. There are no fees or restrictions on entering the grounds, so visitors should have no trouble enjoying the great view and surrounding beauty.

The opening hours for Khao Chi Chan are 8:00-17:00. To ensure you don’t miss out it’s recommended that guests visit the site in the afternoon.

Pattaya View Point

If you’re looking for a postcard worthy view of Pattaya, there is no better spot than Pattaya View Point.  The whole city of Pattaya can be caught in one shot along with the beautiful bay. In doesn’t matter if you visit the view point in the night or in the day the scenery is always breath-taking—the sunset in particular is worth waiting for. Visitors will be able to find a variety of vendors and eateries at Pattaya View Point which can keep you occupied as you take in the majesty and wait for that one perfect photo. Pattaya View Point is on the same hill as the famous Wat Phra Khao Yai temple, which makes it ideal for visiting right before or after the temple.

Look out for hordes of tourists that flock to the View Point throughout the day. These tourists are generally on large scale tours, so the rush won’t last for very long. Just wait it out and you will have the view all to yourself in no time!

Pattaya Park Beach Hotel

The Pattaya Park Beach Hotel towers 180m in the air and can be seen from far and wide. The hotel is known for providing activities and dining in its main tower, all while providing an unrivaled view of the Pattaya city. The Pattaya Park Beach tower is the first and the highest seaside tower/revolving restaurant located on the East Coast of Thailand.

An Observation deck is available on the top-most floor of the tower from which you may stand and gaze at the beauty of the Jomtien Bay and Pattaya City. Thrill seekers will be happy to hear that there is a Tower Jump and Speed Shuttle also available at the Pattaya Park Beach Hotel, which come as part of the theme park connected to the hotel.

If you’re looking for a dining experience with a view, sumptuous meals are available on the top floors, including three revolving restaurants. Most of the best viewpoints for Pattaya are only open during the day, dinner might be a great option for a nighttime view.

Sky Diving

While Thailand may not be the first place you think of when you think of sky-diving, it has come to be a hotbed for avid skydiving enthusiasts and one of the best ways to catch the full Pattaya scenery. There is no better vantage point than looking straight down from directly above.

Sky-diving in Pattaya is very safe, as all the necessary safety standards and precautions are taken by sky-diving centres. There are currently two major sky-diving centres which are available in Pattaya:  the Thai Sky Adventures Co. Ltd and the SkyDivePattaya Co. Ltd. Both centres are known for providing extremely well-trained instructors who will perform tandem jumps for those without any sky-diving experience. FAI licenses can easily be acquired by more seasoned sky-divers who are looking to perform solo jumps.

The cost of performing a jump is relatively low compared to most other countries. It will come to roughly 9-12 thousand Baht per jump.

Wat Phra Khao Yai (Big Buddha Hill)

Wat Phra Khao Yai, also known as Big Buddha Hill, is one the grandest temples in Pattaya. The Temple can be found at the top of Pratumnak Hill, very close to the Pattaya View Point. The temple gets its name, Big Buddha Hill, from the huge 18 metre high Buddha statue that can be found at the apex of the hill. Other than the intricate artwork and sculptures, a great view can also be found at the top of the hill. The temple manages to keep a very peaceful atmosphere despite the massive number of tourists, making the ideal place to sit down and take in the views of Pattaya as you reflect.

Entry to the Wat Phra Khao Yai Temple is free. Try taking part in some Buddhist cultural practices available at Wat Phra Khao Yai to broaden your horizons.

Finding great vantage points in Pattaya to view the city isn’t too difficult. The five attractions named above are some of the best ways to take Pattaya while also catching some culture or entertainment. Now that you know exactly how to view Pattaya from way up high, don’t miss out on all the gorgeous aerial landscapes.