Wat Phra Yai
Koh Fan, Bang Rak, Thailand
The golden seated Buddha of Wat Phra Yai rises above a small island at Samui’s northeastern edge. A naga-flanked staircase leads to the platform, where the statue and surrounding coast make a memorable introduction to the island. Treat the visit as time in a working religious place, with a little room to pause rather than simply ticking off a viewpoint. Combine it with nearby Wat Plai Laem for two markedly different expressions of local devotional art.