For the culture minded sophisticated tourists, exploring the culture surrounding Samui beach resort, apart from experiencing its leisure offered by modern tourist facilities like Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort. Koh Samui, is an exhilarating experience.
The history of Koh Samui can be observed visiting unique cultural and historical locations around the island.Cultural places such as the 140 year old, the oldest house in Samui, isa Chinese Temple built in 1862.
Wat Samrat, housing the ancient White Marble Buddha and the Secret Hall of the 50 Buddha is one of the most picturesque temples in Koh Samui. These 50 statues are from across Thailand, India and Myanmar. Many of these statues are highly valuable and remains locked and the monks’ permission is necessary to view these Images.
View from top of Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) on Ko Phan, near Bophut, the landscape around is dotted with hill-top pagodas that sparkle in the sun. The nearby Wat Plai Laem, is a complex of modern Buddhist temples dominated by a huge sculpture of 18-armed Guanyin, a bodhisattva associated with mercy and compassion.
The Buddha’s Footprint is housed in famous Wat located 150 steps up a steep hill, is very popular as it honours an imprint of Buddha’s foot. The temple features four footprints, each superimposed on the other and artistically engraved. The engraved footprints represent the liberation path as mentioned in the life of Buddha.
Koh Samui’s beautiful Buddhist temples are not only a showcase of excellent architecture, but also represents the Buddhist culture.
Another diverse culture in Koh Samui is Hua Thanon Traditional Muslim Fishing Village. It is famous for its produce market and one of Samui’s last remaining fishing fleets. Most of the population of this particular village is Muslim, having their ancestry in the south of the peninsular. Here you can still glimpse Khor-lae, a traditionally built boat with multi-coloured hulls and intricately carved prows.
Thus, Koh Samui is a melting pot of Thai Buddhist, Chinese and Muslim cultures, one can explore while visiting there.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
