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8 Thai Temples in Phuket You Have To Visit
Phuket, Thailand, is most commonly known as a world-class beach destination. The island also has some of the most impressive temples in Thailand and perhaps Southeast Asia. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of Phuket's most popular and culturally important temples and shrines, which you should consider adding to your holiday plans.
We have chosen 8 out of the 29 Thai temples around Phuket that, as many locals would agree, have acquired their status through a combination of historical and folk-lore significance.
Things to Know Before Visiting a Temple in Phuket
- Before stepping inside a temple, it is expected that you remove your shoes and hat first.
- Making a small donation is not necessary, but it is a good gesture that helps support the temple’s operations.
- It is respectful to wear long pants or a skirt and a shirt or top with sleeves.
- A wat or temple is often richly decorated and a symbol of Thai culture and religion. As you scroll down our list, you’ll find the word “wat” preceding the temple names. For example, Wat Chalong means Chalong Temple, which may come in handy when you ask for directions.
Information on the Top Phuket Temples and the Best Time to Visit
1. Chalong Temple: The Most Visited and Largest Temple in Phuket
Wat Chalong or Chalong Temple (Full Name: Chaiyathararam Temple) is the most visited, revered, and largest temple in Phuket. It’s considered a must-visit in Phuket due to its historical and cultural significance and scale.
Built in 1837, Wat Chalong Phuket is the most popular Thai Temple on the island and is one of the cultural highlights on many Phuket sightseeing tours. Its tallest structure, a chedi, is 60 meters tall and is said to hold a bone fragment of Buddha himself. The interior of the building contains pictorial illustrations of Buddha’s life journey. The building is three floors high and houses various golden statues.
The temple played a part in Phuket’s history during the Chinese Rebellion in 1876. The temple’s monk founders, Luang Pho Cham and Luang Pho Chuang, led the Chalong District citizens in the resistance and used their knowledge of herbal medicine to heal the injured.
As a place of worship, locals frequent it to offer prayers and light candles for blessings. The generally peaceful experience is often interrupted by Chinese firecrackers to ward off bad spirits.
Visitor Information:
Wat Chalong is a 15-minute drive from Old Phuket Town and Karon Beach, and a 25-minute drive from Patong Beach.
General opening hours: 07:00 – 17.00 hrs. Admission and parking are free. Kindly note that the temple can get crowded on weekends or public holidays.
Address: 70 Moo 6 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/nnsn34s7wxn
2. Big Buddha Temple: The Highest Viewpoint and Best Sunset Spot in Phuket
Phuket Big Buddha, or the Great Buddha of Phuket, is home to the tallest and highest statue of Buddha in southern Thailand. Phuket Big Buddha's Thai name is Wat Khao Nakkerd and the official name is Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri.
The 45-meter-tall Big Buddha is enshrined at the top of Nakkerd Hill in Karon, Phuket. The white marble statue weighs 135 tons.
Located 400 meters above sea level, the temple’s elevated location makes it one of the best sunset spots in Phuket. From this panoramic viewpoint, you can see Chalong Bay, Phuket Town, and even Phang Nga Bay on a clear day.
It’s a must-see landmark for those visiting Phuket. Here are tips and ideas on how to get there:
- For convenience - Many taxis, cabs, tuk tuks, and private cars are available. There’s a road that takes locals and travelers from the bottom of the mountain to Big Buddha.
- For excitement - Renting ATVs to ride up the mountain to Big Buddha has grown in popularity in recent years. For your safety, please do proper research on trails and this activity only on a sunny day.
- For exercise - Hiking or biking to this Phuket temple is your answer. You can travel the safer route up the sidewalk of roads or on jungle trails, which will take you through banana and rubber plantations. Several routes are available depending on the starting point, like Kata Beach or Karon Beach. All the routes are roughly 8-kilometer trails and are considered very challenging and can take up to 3 hours to complete. We don’t recommend hiking without a guide.
Visitor Information
Big Buddha is a 20-minute drive from Karon Beach
General opening hours: 08:00 – 19.00 hrs. Souvenir shops are available by the temple entrance.
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/VVqTtoXRKXk
3. Jui Tui Shrine: The Destination for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Founded in 1911, Jui Tui Shrine is one of the oldest religious temples in Phuket, where the famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held annually.
The Jui Tui Shrine is important to religious students as many seek to pray here for protection before pursuing their higher education outside of Phuket. The building contains the statue of deity, Tean Hu Huan Soy, and other Buddhist deities.
In addition to prayer, Phuketians also visit the shrine for fortune-telling, which is done by shaking the provided bamboo cup until a fortune stick falls out. Each fortune stick contains a number that can be matched with a fortune paper. Fortunes at this temple have been translated in many languages.
For those seeking to visit the shrine during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, the festival is held according to the lunar calendar, so the dates change annually. If you’re fortunate to visit, you’ll experience a lively, colorful celebration with a variety of traditional dishes and processions. Our local tip is to stop by all the local restaurants around the temple to discover delicious vegetarian dishes.
Visitor Information
General opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00 hrs
Address: 283 Soi Phutorn, Tambon Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/3F86PLiQccpnYWq66
4. Wat Phra Thong: The Half-Buried Golden Buddha Statue in Phuket
Wat Phra Thong or Wat Phra Phud is an ancient temple in Phuket, named after the half-buried Golden Buddha statue.
The story goes that a farmer boy was the first to find the head of the buried golden statue. Those who tried to dig up the remaining parts were all cursed. One day, a group of monk pilgrims suggested building a temple around the statue, and thus Wat Phra Thong came to be.
These days, Wat Phra Thong temple houses tin-mining artifacts and a small museum showcasing Phuket's history.
Visitor Information
General opening hours: 08.00 – 17.00 hrs
Address: 172/2 Nanai Rd, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/3W4UCnrTVh42
5. Wat Karon: A Small Temple with a Rich Heritage
Founded in 1895, Wat Karon or Wat Suwan Khirikhet is the only Buddhist temple in Karon Beach, Phuket. Despite its modest size, it’s decorated with vibrant colors, ornate designs, and stunning sculptures. Its main entrance is flanked by two massive emerald-green naga serpents that serve as protectors of the temple grounds.
Inside the main prayer hall, murals and carvings illustrate key moments in Buddha’s life, including his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The complex also houses two yaks, impressive giants from Ramayana who stand guard at the temple. A must-see is the rare black sapphire Buddha statue kept therein.
On Tuesday and Friday evenings, the area beside Wat Karon becomes a bustling night market offering a variety of local street food, clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
Visitor Information
Address: 98/8 Moo 4 Patak Soi 22, Karon, Muang, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Google map link: https://g.co/kgs/c4SpKqo
6. Wat Cherngtalay: Combining Buddhist and Hindu Influences
Wat Cherngtalay, also known as Wat Tin Le, has served the village of Cherngtalay for over a century. Originally established in the early 1900s, this Phuket temple was relocated to its present location in the 1970s. The temple complex has five main buildings, an ordination hall for religious services, a lotus-shaped pagoda with the relics of its former abbot, the revered Luang Por Plod, as well as monks’ living quarters and a dining hall.
The temple’s architecture displays traditional Thai design, featuring intricately carved wooden doors and gold accents. Inside the ordination hall, there’s a fresco narrating the life of Buddha, while outside, there’s a mural depicting Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of success. Sanskrit mantras are also inscribed in various structures, showcasing the temple’s blending of Buddhist and Hindu influences.
Visitor Information
Address: 2 Soi Cherngtalay 6, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand
Google map link: https://g.co/kgs/LsmysSJ
7. Wat Khao Rang: Large Seated Buddha Statue
Perched on the slopes of Rang Hill in Phuket Town, Wat Khao Rang is home to what’s considered as the island’s first large seated Buddha statue. The golden figure sits atop the original temple building, overlooking the town.
The temple grounds have two main areas, the original structure with the seated Buddha and a newer temple beside it. The temple showcases classic Thai architecture with multi-tiered roofs, intricate carvings, and colorful murals depicting Buddhist teachings. At its elevated location, the temple offers a picturesque view of Phuket town, making it a popular destination for those seeking blessings and good fortune.
Visitor Information
General opening hours: 08:00 - 17:00 hrs, daily
Address: Khao Rang Hill, Muang, Phuket 8300, Thailand
Google map link: https://g.co/kgs/F2EgLrs
8. Wat Tham: A Cave Temple with a Reclining Buddha
Wat Tham or Wat Suwan Khuha is a unique cave temple inside a vast limestone cavern. Inside the main chamber is a majestic 15-meter-long golden reclining Buddha, undoubtedly the highlight of the temple. The cave features intricate Benjaron tiles, a traditional Thai ceramic design, and a chedi structure with a similar style to that of Wat Arun in Bangkok. A small grotto within the complex has a golden stupa.
As you go around the temple grounds, you need to be careful of mischievous monkeys as they have been known to grab food and personal items from unsuspecting visitors.
Visitor Information
Wat Tham is about 10 kilometers from Phang Nga town. There’s a parking area in front of the cave.
Address: 36/1 Phet Kasem Road, Kratom, Takua Thung, Phang-Nga 82130, Thailand
Google map link: https://g.co/kgs/d1WtdfD
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AboutThavorn Palm Beach Resort
Karon Beach, Phuket Thailand
Thavorn Palm Beach Resort is an award-winning Phuket beachfront resort. This unique destination provides tasteful upscale accommodation, direct beachfront access to Karon Beach, Giant Water Slides, 7 unique dining restaurants & cafes, onsite beachfront mini petting zoo, and a 12-acre botanical rainforest garden.
