Things to Do in and Around Chalong
Chalong is an important and vast area stretching along the east coast of Phuket Island. While the name is well known because of the famous Wat Chalong temple, there is no real town and not much to do. It is only known for its two long piers and notorious traffic jams at the Chalong Circle.
What to Do in Chalong?
The Pier
The 2 long piers of Chalong are where you may embark on a trip to a nearby island: Coral Island, Lone Island or Racha Island. A lot of dive boats are moored here. The place gets very busy with buses in the morning and evening when dropping off and picking up tourists. Parking a car is very difficult.
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
Chalong Bay Rum is a small but well-known factory preparing an excellent local rum with sugar cane juice. You can visit the factory, try some rum tasting, and enjoy their excellent and beautiful open-air tropical restaurant.
Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is the most important and impressive temple in Phuket, located 3 kilometres from Chalong Circle.
Phuket Big Buddha
Phuket Big Buddha is not exactly in Chalong district, but it’s such an iconic landmark visible everywhere in the south of Phuket. It is close to the famous Wat Chalong and often combined in the tour.
Wat Sin Supharam
Wat Sil Subharam, also known as Wat Mai Luang Pu Supa, is a revered temple in Phuket, Thailand, associated with the famous monk Luang Pu Supa. At 115 years old, Luang Pu Supa has lived through five reigns and is widely respected for his spiritual practice and knowledge. Visitors to Phuket are encouraged to visit this temple to seek blessings and good fortune.
Market Village Phuket
Market Village Phuket is a shopping complex just 300 metres from Chalong Circle. It is mostly known for the large Villa Market Supermarket and Home Pro, an immense house improvement shop.
Soi Ta Iad
Soi Ta-iad goes by many names: Soi Taied, Fitness Street, Phuket Health Street or Muay Thai Street because it is home to many Muay Thai Camps, Fitness and Gyms, Spas and Health Shops. Unless you are in Phuket for some seriously active holiday, you have probably never heard of Soi Ta-iad, a 1.5-kilometre-long street connecting Chao Fa Road east to Chao Fa Road west, somewhere near Wat Chalong.
Phuket Bird Park
This vast park features 80 species and 1,000 birds kept in cages of various sizes disseminated along the steep way leading to the main theatre, but it’s not to everyone’s taste.
Where to Eat Around Chalong?
There are many Thai food and seafood restaurants in the Chalong area, including some local gems. The seafood restaurants are often on the seaside with beautiful views of the nearby islands, making them a great place to meet with friends for lunch or dinner by the ocean. As usual, you can also find a few franchises in the shopping malls if you need a break.
Kan Eang @Pier
Kan Eang @ Pier has been a long-time favourite among locals and tourists looking for lunch or dinner in a little more sophisticated atmosphere. The seafood is excellent; crabs, fish and prawns are bigger than in nearby places, and the choice of dishes on the menu is impressive. The atmosphere is relaxing and trendy, an excellent way to enjoy a slow meal by the sea.
Mor Mu Dong
Mor Mu Dong has been one of our long-time favourites. One reason is the setting in little wooden huts with thatched roofs built on stilts above the mangrove. The second reason is, of course, their excellent Thai and seafood at an affordable price.
Bucha Gallery and Restaurant
Bucha Gallery & Restaurant is a superb venue where guests can enjoy Thai antiques and authentic southern cuisine; run by the talented Chef Wina, who learned home cooking from her mother, Kae Ying, as she ran a shop on the market in Pak-Phanang Nakhon Si Thammarat, which is located 200 kilometres east of Phuket, on the east coast of Thailand. Read more
Address: 26/156 Chao Fah Tawan Ok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand, Phuket
Hours: 11 am – 10 pm (Wednesday closed)
Phone: 061 176 5562
Kan Eang 2
Kan Eang 2, as the name indicates, is the sister of Kan Eang @ Pier, but in a less fancy and less expensive version. The seafood is very good, and the setting is attractive and more casual in a good way.
We Cafe Chaofa
We Cafe Chaofa is a large restaurant that serves a vast array of international, western and Thai dishes at a very good price, located not far from Wat Chalong.
Chalong Directory
Chalong Map
