Koh Samui is the second most popular island in Thailand’s list of islands. The island is famous due to its spectacular and tourist-friendly beaches. But besides beaches, there are many other natural, historical and cultural attractions that can keep you busy for several weeks.

From picturesque natural beauty, snake farm, to places of religious and cultural importance, the island truly offers something for all the tourists.

There are hundreds of attractions on this island, but most of the tourists love to visit the Big Buddha Temple, Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Rocks site), the Ang Thong Marine Park, the Na Muang Waterfall area, and Wat Khunaram Mummified Monk site.

Koh Samui also has its own international airport. You can reach this island by air, boat, or even by land. If you wish to enjoy cruise or boat ride, you can simply opt to travel by boat. Once on the island, you can rent a cab, motorcycle or even a bicycle to reach various tourist destinations. Koh Samui has quickly managed to enter the list of Asia’s premier holiday destinations. Let’s take a look at the island’s most important attraction.

Samui’s Big Buddha Temple

No doubt, this is the island’s best tourist destination. The Temple is located in the North Eastern side of the island. Temple’s main attraction is its golden statue that was constructed in 1972. The statue can be seen from several kilometers away. The twelve meter seated statue greets visitors who enter Koh Samui Island by plane or by helicopter. Big Buddha Temple is not just an important monument for people in Thailand, but it also attracts followers of Buddhism from around the world. It is just around three kilometers away from the island’s international airport.

Experts suggest that the statue’s pose symbolizes enlightenment, purity, and steadfastness. It represents the time-frame from Buddha’s journey when he was facing the danger and temptations forced at him by the evil Mara. Buddha faced everything by simply remaining calm, and by meditating.

This wonderful monument is surrounded by two more images of Buddha. You can also buy religious clothing, artifacts and other items sold at the Temple as souvenirs. There is no need to worry about food while visiting the Temple, as there are many small food stalls inside the premises.

The Temple is always full of devotees and visitors. Several followers of Buddhism visit the premises and perform rituals on a daily basis. Tourists are always welcomed by the management to watch rituals. Temple premises also offer a wonderful view of the sea and nearby beach. This beach was earlier known as Bang Rak beach, but was renamed as Big Buddha beach as it is right next to the Temple. The sandy shoreline is home to several shops, restaurants and food courts.

During festivals like Songkran and Loy Kratong, the Temple’s premises are full of devotees. Special food market is set-up during these festivals and special guests are called-in to entertain people.

Tour experts urge people to visit the Temple during early morning, when the place is full of monks and devotees who are busy chanting.

To be on the safer side, it is advisable to wear clothes that cover all parts of the body while inside the Temple. People wearing beachwear are not allowed to enter the Temple.

World class accommodation options

As mentioned earlier, travelling in Koh Samui Island is very convenient. Plus, the island is home to several restaurants, bars, nightclubs, family friendly hotels and world class villas as well. If you are willing to stay in luxury villas Samui, Samui Villa Retreat can be one of the best options.

They charge somewhere around $300 for one night at some of their sea-view villas. This charge includes all the taxes, private concierge service, complimentary airport pick-up or drop service, continental breakfast, and daily housekeeping service.

Samui Villa Retreat is home to some of the best villas in the entire kingdom of Thailand. Plus, villas are just few minutes away from bars and night clubs that offer exciting and thrilling night life.

Local experts at Samui Villa Retreat can also guide you to travel on the island, and help you choose the best locations according to your interest. They can also help you with your transportation needs.

Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s most popular islands. It offers sandy beaches, amazing snake park, wonderful Big Buddha shrine, Samui Aquarium, and hundreds of other tourist attractions. The island is perfect destination for tourists who wish to enjoy beach life combined with water sports, and certain adventure sports. Let’s take a look at two of the best tourist attractions from this island.

Island’s snake farm

After enjoying historical monuments and beach life, if you are looking for something thrilling, Samui snake farm can prove to be the best option for you and your family. The farm is home to some of the most fearsome creatures in Thailand.

The farm organizes daily shows in which snakes display their fighting skills in-front of the visitors. From giant pythons, to king cobras, you can look at hundreds of snakes while eating snacks. Those long snakes would definitely remind you about the famous movie- Anaconda.

Out of around 170 snakes found in various parts of Thailand, only 50 are venomous. Snake farm’s specialists have knowledge about all the snakes from around the world, and they simply love to share their knowledge with visitors. The farm also has one section in which visitors are allowed to touch and hold certain non-venomous snakes. Kids would definitely enjoy this thrilling and educational experience of holding snake in their hands.

Do you wish to observe snakes’ defensive and striking moves? Do you wish to look at their sharp fangs, and the way they spit their venom? If so, you should reach the farm before 11AM and watch their snake charmers’ show between 11AM and 2PM every day. The snake charmers’ perform dangerous moves and tease snakes to make sure that the reptiles feel the danger and start attacking them. During the show, commentators explain everything about the snakes that are presented during the show.

The show starts with snake charmers and stunts performed by snakes followed by cock fighting. Snakes attract most of the attention, but there are cock fighting lovers as well. The cock fighting show is completely controlled and toned-down version. This is not as violent as the one shown in James Bond movie Casino Royale’s fictional city called Nambutu.

Cock fighting is followed by scorpion show. Then, last, but not the least, king cobra appears to show his dangerous moves and poses that can cause kids to wet their pants.

If snakes fail to impress you, Thailand’s traditional cock fighting will definitely bring smile on your face. The farm also organizes scorpion and centipede shows on a daily basis.

The snake farm, zoo is also home to several mongooses, lizards, crocodiles, and other exotic creatures. This farm made it in headlines when animal lover Kanchana Kaetkaew created world record and entered her name in the Guinness Book of World Records during 2008. She used this snake farm for her event in which she managed to keep scorpion in her mouth for two minutes.

Kanchana Kaetkaew and her husband Bunthawee Siengwong also perform during certain shows in the snake farm.

The butterfly garden

Samui Butterfly Garden is located in the southern part of the Koh Samui Island near the Natien Beach area. It is home to hundreds of rare butterflies, one bee-house, and insect museum. Before going to this place, make sure that your camera’s memory card has ample empty space. You would definitely click many pictures inside the garden that offers collection of hundreds of flowers as well.

Butterflies fly around in several of acres of open space that is covered with netting to protect them. There are ample number of red hibiscus flowers and sweet bananas that these butterflies can feed on.

Special attention has been given to cultivate butterfly friendly flowers like marigold, lipstick palm, Mexican creeper and blood flower, etc. Every week, several famous Lepidopterists from around the world visit this park to study butterflies and their behavior.

Travelling on Koh Samui Island is very easy; you can either rent a taxi, car, motorbike or bicycle to travel from one attraction to the other. The island is home to several family friendly restaurants, cafes, hotels and villas. If you are looking for luxury villas Samui, you should opt for Samui villa retreat. They offer several types of world class villas on rent.