Wat Phothivihan (Sleeping Buddha)

Thai temple in Tumpat District, Kelantan, Malaysia. It is one of 25 temples found in Tumpat and is one of the most popular in the country. Wat Phothivihan is famous for its Reclining Buddha statue, Malaysia’s biggest. One of Kelantan’s top attractions.

Wat Photivihan temple is located at around 18km from Kota Bharu, the capital city of Kelantan. The construction of the 40m statue started in 1973 and was completed in 1979.

📍 Temple Details

• Address: Kampung Jambu, 16200, Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia
• Phone: +60 9-725 2224
• Opening Hours: Daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Saturday until 9:00 PM)
• Entrance Fee: Free; donations are welcome
• Founder: Phra Krurasapia Chakorn

Wat Phothivihan | Kelantan | Tumpat

Wat Phothivihan: Kelantan’s iconic Thai temple with one of Southeast Asia’s longest reclining Buddha statues. Wat Phothivihan features a colourful 40m-long reclining Buddha statue. It is one of the largest Buddhist statues in Southeast Asia.

Location & Origin

Found in Tumpat, Kelantan, this Thai temple was built in the 1970s.

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Architectural Highlights

Home to a 40-meter-long reclining Buddha, among the largest in Southeast Asia.

Is Wat Pho Buddha real gold?

Wat Pho is an 80,000-square-meter Buddhist temple located 700 meters south of the Grand Palace. It houses the largest collection of Buddha figurines in Thailand, including the world-renowned, 46-meter-long gold-plated Reclining Buddha.

Cultural Significance

It is an important religious site for Thai Buddhists in East Malaysia.

Visitor Experience

Popular among visitors for its grandeur, spiritual ambiance, and religious statues.

Festivals Celebrated

Songkran, Wesak Day, Loy Krathong, Kathina

Read More: Celebrating Vesak Day in Malaysia

Specialty / Unique Features

Houses one of Southeast Asia’s largest reclining Buddha statues (40 meters); located in Tumpat, Kelantan.

What is Wat Pho famous for?

Wat Pho is one of the top six temples in Thailand and is famous for the huge statue of the Reclining Buddha.

How to Reach

Wat Phothivihan is a famous Buddhist temple located in Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia, known for its giant reclining Buddha statue. Here’s how you can get there:

By Car:

• From Kota Bharu, it’s about 25 km (approx. 40–45 minutes).
• Route: Take Route 134 (Kota Bharu–Tumpat Road) heading northwest towards Tumpat. Once in Tumpat, follow local signs to Wat Phothivihan.

By Bus:

• Take a bus from Kota Bharu Bus Terminal to Tumpat (frequent local buses available).
• From Tumpat bus stop, you can take a taxi or ride-hailing service (Grab) for about 5–10 minutes to the temple.

Tips:

• The temple is near Tumpat town center, so GPS navigation works well.
• Opening hours are usually 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, but check locally if planning to visit early or late.

Here’s the cleaned-up version without the references:

Driving Directions from Kota Bharu to Wat Phothivihan

1. Start in Kota Bharu: Begin your journey in the city center.
2. Take Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra (Route 134): Head northwest on Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra (Route 134) towards Tumpat. Continue on this road for about 10 km until you reach a roundabout.
3. Continue on Jalan Pengkalan Chepa: At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Jalan Pengkalan Chepa and continue for approximately 4 km.
4. Turn onto Jalan Tumpat: Turn right onto Jalan Tumpat and follow this road for another 15 km.
5. Arrive at Kampung Jambu: Look for signs directing you to Kampung Jambu. Wat Phothivihan is located in Kampung Jambu, Tumpat.
6. Parking: There is ample free parking available at the temple.

Public Transportation Options

• Bus: From Kota Bharu Bus Terminal, take a bus heading to Tumpat, which is approximately a 30-minute ride.
• Taxi or Ride-Hailing: Once you arrive in Tumpat, take a local taxi or ride-sharing service to Kampung Jambu. The taxi ride should take around 10–15 minutes and typically costs around MYR 20–30.