Phuket Island It is one of the main and most visited destinations in Thailand and as such it offers plenty of sites, attractions and activities for the whole family to enjoy. museums, beaches, extreme sports, excellent restaurants, shopping and excellent hotels. All of these are available for the enjoyment of tourists and at affordable prices.
One of the most popular and beloved attractions in Phuket is the Buddhist temple Wat Chalong which attracts many travelers every day, tourists as well as locals, who come to admire the magnificent building or participate in the religious ceremonies that are held there to this day.
The temple which was built at the beginning of the 19th century is the largest temple in Phuket and the most visited, and it actually includes several separate buildings that are under the same sacred complex, also called by the locals the Chalong Temple or (get ready, it's going to be hard to spell) the Wat Cha Temple 'Ayathararam.
Since this is an active temple, many of the visitors to the place dedicate their time to say a prayer or show gratitude and respect to the founders of the temple - a handful of monks known for their decisive role in leading the citizens of the district in the 19th century during the fighting in the Chinese rebellion and their assistance in healing the war wounded thanks to their knowledge of ancient medicine based on medicinal plants .
During the tour of the complex, you can be impressed by the spectacular traditional decorations that decorate the walls and ceilings, the beautiful golden statues and the view from the top floor balcony overlooking the entire area of the temple, including the lovely gardens that surround it. All in all, it is about three floors dedicated to the life of Buddha and as befits a Bodhisattva temple, they do not skimp on symbols of luxury and grandeur.
In addition to the temple and some would say that even contrary to the holy atmosphere that prevails there, you can find in the complex the large local market of Chalong where the temple itself takes an active part and sells jewelry to visitors. The monks themselves help by storing the item boxes in the main prayer hall.
Entrance to Wat Chalong is free. However, make no mistake - this is a place of holiness for the locals and as such the dress code and behavior in the place are very strict, in accordance with an active Buddhist temple, and they must be followed in order not to hurt the feelings of the locals. Please note that:
- Simple clothing. Women must cover their shoulders and wear bottoms that cover the knees.
- Leave your shoes outside.
- Speak quietly, avoid shouting or speaking strongly.
- Do not touch the various statues and decorations.
General Information
- Address - 70 Moo 6 Chaofa Road (West) Chalong Phuket 83000
- Opening Hours - Every day from 17:00 to 8:00
- parking - Those arriving by motorcycle, bicycle or rental car have plenty of free parking at the entrance to the complex
