20 Chinese Shrines in Phuket

Jui Tui Shrine (Kew Ong)

Jui Tui Shrine (ศาลเจ้าจุ้ยตุ่ยเต้าโบ้เก้ง / 水碓斗母宮) is one of the most important Chinese temples in Phuket Town, located near the fresh market on Ranong Road. The Chinese name means “Water Mortar Dou Mu Palace,” a reference to the canal and waterwheels that once stood in front of the shrine. Dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods (Kew Ong / 九皇), it’s a popular place for locals to pray and make merit. The shrine is especially well known for its key role during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, where major ceremonies like the raising of the Go Teng pole begin. Spirit mediums known as ma song prepare here before taking part in dramatic rituals. Even outside festival times, the shrine remains a respected spiritual and cultural landmark in Phuket.

Shrine of the Serene Light – Saengtham Shrine

The Shrine of the Serene Light (ศาลเจ้าแสงธรรม / 定光堂), also known as Saengtham Shrine, is a historic Chinese temple on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. The Chinese name Tēng-kong-tông means “Hall of Steady Light.” Built in 1889 by a Hokkien Chinese family from Quanzhou, it was once hidden behind narrow paths, including a passage near Wilai restaurant. Locals cherished its secret location, but in 2010, a large Chinese gate made it easier to find. Despite changes to its surroundings, the shrine has preserved its original architecture, murals, and peaceful atmosphere. Known for its Taoist deities and Hokkien style, it remains a quiet cultural landmark, even receiving a conservation award from Princess Sirindhorn in 1997.

Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine (Sam Kong Shrine)

Sam Kong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าส่ามก่องฮุนซานเก้งหลิมฮู้ไท่ซู / 三廣雲山宮林府太師廟), also known as Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine, is a Taoist temple in the Sam Kong neighbourhood on the north side of Phuket Town. The full Chinese name translates to “Sam Kong Cloud Mountain Palace, Lim Hu Grand Master Temple.” Built around 1914, it was expanded in the 1940s and 1990s and is now recognised for its dragon-wrapped columns and elaborate Chinese-style gate. Dedicated to the healing deity Lim Hu Tai Su, the shrine is still visited by locals who believe in the temple’s spiritual power. It plays an active role during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, hosting ceremonies and processions, and reflects the deep influence of Hokkien Chinese culture on the island.

Bang Neow Shrine

Bang Neow Shrine (ศาลเจ้าบ่างเหลียงเต้าบู๊เก้ง / 網寮斗母宮), also known as Chao Tao Bo Keng, is one of the oldest and most important Chinese temples in Phuket Town. The name means “Net Hut Dou Mu Palace,” with “Bang Neow” (網寮) referring to the local area. Built in 1904, it has changed location several times due to mysterious fires, with its current site on Phuket Road near Saphan Hin. The shrine plays a major role in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, where it hosts key rituals like the Go Teng pole raising, spirit medium processions, fire-walking, and bladed-ladder climbing. Deeply rooted in Hokkien Chinese culture, the shrine reflects the long history of Chinese migration to Phuket and remains active in local religious life.

Hok Nguan Kong Shrine

Hok Nguan Kong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าฮกหงวนกง / 福元宮清水祖師廟) is a Chinese temple near the Surin Clock Circle in Phuket Town. The Chinese name means “Fortune Origin Palace, Qingshui Ancestral Master Temple.” A stone tablet inside dates back to 1874, making it one of Phuket’s older shrines, founded by Hokkien miners from Quanzhou during the tin mining era. The shrine features classic Chinese design elements, such as dragon-wrapped columns and colourful murals. It is dedicated to Ju Su Kong (清水祖師), a Song Dynasty monk honoured for his public service. Located near local restaurants and cultural landmarks, the shrine remains quiet most days but sees more visitors during the Lunar New Year and the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

Tha Rua Shrine

The Tha Rua Shrine (ศาลเจ้าหงอจินยินฮกเล้งเก้ง / 吳眞閣福龍宮), located in Thalang District near the Heroines’ Monument, is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket. The Chinese name means “Wu Zhen Pavilion, Fortune Dragon Palace.” It’s dedicated to the healing deity Po Sein (保生大帝) and plays a key role during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, hosting ceremonies and spirit mediums. The shrine began over 100 years ago after a monk, believed to channel Po Sein, healed a sick man. A wealthy follower later funded the shrine’s construction. With colourful dragon sculptures and a striking Taoist god statue, the temple was expanded in 2000. Open daily, it welcomes visitors, especially during the vibrant nine-day festival in October.

Kio Thian Keng Saphan Hin Shrine

Kio Thian Keng Shrine (ศาลเจ้ากิ้วเที้ยนเก้ง / 九天宮) is a modern Chinese temple built in 1995, located inside Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town. The name means “Nine Heavens Palace.” It’s best known as the final stop of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, where worshippers gather for a dramatic farewell to the festival gods. The temple features colourful dragon decorations, red lanterns, and statues of Taoist gods, including a striking jade figure of the Goddess Guan Yin. Although smaller than older shrines, it is a vibrant place of worship, especially during the festival. Visitors are welcome daily, and the shrine is part of the scenic park area popular with locals.

Long Hun Keng Shrine

Long Hun Keng Shrine (ศาลเจ้าท่องคาหย่องฮุนเก้ง / 肜雲宮) is a small, lesser-known Chinese temple on Thepkasattri Road in Phuket Town, dating back to 1892. The Chinese name translates roughly to “Cloud Sky Palace.” Though modest, it holds cultural importance for the local Chinese-Thai community, especially during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. While little is documented about its history, the shrine serves as a place of worship and community gathering during major festivals and is worth visiting for cultural insight.

Put Jaw Shrine (Kuan Im Teng)

Put Jaw Shrine (ศาลเจ้าปุดจ้อ / 佛祖庵), also known as Kuan Im Teng (觀音廟), is one of Phuket’s oldest Chinese shrines, located next to Jui Tui Shrine on Ranong Road. The short name “Put Jaw” comes from 佛祖 (Pu̍t-tsóo), meaning “Buddha Ancestor.” Dedicated to Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy, it remains a central place of worship for the Chinese-Thai community. The shrine features traditional Chinese architecture, with dragon carvings, lanterns, and incense-filled halls. Despite renovations, it retains its original charm and offers insight into Phuket’s Chinese heritage.

Hainan Shrine

Hainan Shrine (ศาลเจ้าไฮหล่ำฮุยก้วนเค่งจิวกงซอ / 海南會館瓊州公所天后宮) is the only Hainanese Chinese shrine in Phuket, located on Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town. The full Chinese name translates to “Hainan Association, Qiongzhou Office, Tianhou Palace.” Built in 1901 by over 180 first-generation Hainanese immigrants, it originally served as a shelter for newcomers before becoming a spiritual hub for the community. Housed in a bright red Sino-Colonial building, it honours the Goddess of the Sea, known locally as Chao Mae Thap Thim (天后/Mazu). The shrine features antiques, a peaceful atmosphere, and a yearly goat worship ceremony to mark the goddess’s birthday.

Sheng Tek Beo Shrine

Sheng Tek Beo Shrine (ศาลเจ้าเซ่งเต็กเบ๋ว / 勝德廟) is a small but important Chinese temple in Phuket Town, located on Soi Saksit near Bang Neow Shrine. The name means “Victory Virtue Temple.” It plays a central role in the annual Por Tor Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, held around September. Dedicated to the Por Tor god (普度公), or king of hell, the shrine features striking artwork showing scenes of sin and punishment. During the festival, locals bring food, incense, and red turtle cakes (ang ku) as offerings to wandering spirits. Though modest in size, the shrine becomes a vibrant spiritual hub during this meaningful event for Phuket’s Chinese community.

Sam Sae Chu Hut Shrine

Sam Sae Chu Hut Shrine (ศาลเจ้าซำเซ้จูฮุด / 三世祖佛), also spelled Sam Sae Joo Hud, is a modest and discreet Chinese shrine located near the intersection of Khaw Sim Bee Road and Mae Luan Road on the way up to Khao Rang Hill in Phuket Town. The Chinese name means “Three Generations Ancestral Buddha.” One of the newer shrines on the island, it was built in 2001.

Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng Shrine

Kathu Shrine (ศาลเจ้าไล่ทู่เต้าโบ้เก้ง / 內杼斗母宮), also known as Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng, is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket and believed to be the birthplace of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The name means “Inner Shuttle Dou Mu Palace,” with “Lai Thu” (內杼) referring to the Kathu area. Located in Kathu between Phuket Town and Patong, it was established before 1857 during the island’s tin mining boom. The shrine honours deities like Tian Hu Nguan Soi and plays a key role in the nine-day Vegetarian Festival with rituals, processions, fire-walking, and vegetarian offerings. Though not well known to tourists, it remains a spiritual centre for the local Chinese-Thai community and is open daily to respectful visitors.

Jeng Ong Shrine

Tucked behind Vachira Phuket Hospital on Yaowarat Road, Jeng Ong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าเชเหล่งเก้ง / 青龍宮) is easy to miss. The Chinese name means “Green Dragon Palace,” a name it shares with the nearby Cho Ong Shrine, though the two are separate temples with different deities. A banyan tree guards the entrance, filtering afternoon light onto a red facade trimmed with jade-green tiles and twisting dragons. Inside, coils of incense burn above three altars. The centrepiece honours Jeng Ong, the Hokkien “God of Honesty”; side sanctuaries shelter Guanyin, Guan Yu and guardians. Devotees rattle bamboo kau chim sticks, ask for guidance, then slide donation envelopes into discreet wooden boxes.

Pun Tao Kong Shrine

Pun Tao Kong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าฮกแช่เก้งปุ่นเถ้าก๋ง / 福星宮本頭公) is a small Chinese shrine located at the top of Patong Hill, between Patong and Phuket Town. The Chinese name means “Fortune Star Palace, Original Head Lord.” Built around 1980 by Hokkien settlers, it’s dedicated to Pun Tao Kong (本頭公), a guardian spirit widely venerated in Hokkien and Teochew communities as the protector of a locality. The shrine is modest, but well-known among locals who honk their car horns as they pass to ask for a safe journey. It plays a quiet role in daily life, especially for those driving up a steep hill. While often overlooked by tourists, the shrine reflects Phuket’s deep Chinese heritage and long-standing customs passed down through generations.

Sui Boon Tong Shrine

Sui Boon Tong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าซุ่ยบุ๋นต๋อง / 瑞文堂) is a lesser-known Chinese shrine tucked away at the end of Soi Phuthon, just off Phuket Road in the old town area. The Chinese name means “Hall of Auspicious Literature.” Built in 1979, it is dedicated to the same deity as Hok Nguan Kong Shrine: Cheng Chui Cho Su Kong (清水祖師), the Qingshui Ancestral Master. Despite its discreet location and modest entrance, it remains an active spiritual site and plays a meaningful role during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

Mae Yanang Shrine

Mae Yanang Shrine (ศาลเจ้าซัมส้านเทียนเฮวกึ๋งฮกจิวกงซอ / 三山天后宮福州公所) in Phuket Town is one of the island’s oldest shrines, founded in 1853. Unlike most of Phuket’s Chinese shrines, which are Hokkien, this one belongs to the Foochow (Fuzhou / 福州) community. The Chinese name means “Three Mountains Tianhou Palace, Fuzhou Office,” with “Three Mountains” being an old name for Fuzhou city. The shrine honours Mazu (天后), the Goddess of the Sea, while the Thai common name “Mae Ya Nang” refers to the Thai guardian spirit of boats and vehicles. Fishermen still visit for protection before their travels, offering garlands and incense. The shrine is part of a network of Chinese shrines in the area, and activity peaks during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival when the grounds are fully decorated. Despite its small size, it showcases traditional Chinese architecture.

Cho Ong Shrine

Cho Ong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าแชเหล่งเก้งไถ้หงวนต๋อง / 青龍宮太原堂祖王廟), also known as Tai Yuan Tang, is a small, historic Chinese shrine located at the corner of Patiphat and Krabi Roads in Phuket Town. The full Chinese name means “Green Dragon Palace, Taiyuan Hall, Ancestral King Temple.” Built in 1898, it shares the “Green Dragon Palace” (青龍宮) element with the nearby Jeng Ong Shrine, though the two honour different deities. “Cho Ong” (祖王) means “Ancestral King” in Hokkien. Dedicated to Cho Ong Tai Te, a guardian deity believed to protect the community from illness and misfortune, the shrine is especially active during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Despite its modest appearance, with red and gold decorations and old wooden beams, it holds cultural significance for the local Hokkien Chinese community. Situated opposite the popular Go Benz restaurant, it’s easily accessible for visitors exploring Old Town.

Sam Ong Hu Shrine

Sam Ong Hu Shrine (ศาลเจ้ากิมหุ้ยเตียนส่ามอ๋องฮู้ / 鎮霞金飛殿三王府) is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, founded in 1901 by the local Hokkien community in Cherngtalay, about 15 minutes from Bang Tao Beach. The Chinese name translates to “Calming Cloud Golden Flying Palace, Three Kings’ Mansion.”

The name “Sam Ong Hu” (三王府) means “Three Kings’ Mansion” in Hokkien. A Chinese barber named Pea Ju Pai Tak travelled back to China and brought three carved wooden deity statues for the community. Each has a different coloured face: Heng Hu (black), Chu Hu (red), and Lui Hu (green). These original carvings are still inside, over 120 years old now. The shrine began its own Vegetarian Festival ceremony in 1982.

Poh Tae Toh Sae Shrine

Tucked away on Monkey Hill on the way to the viewpoint, Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine (ศาลพ่อตาโต๊ะแซะ) is unlike any other shrine on this list. Despite being surrounded by Chinese shrines and often grouped with them, it is actually a syncretic folk shrine with Malay-Javanese origins. The name “Toh Sae” comes from the Malay word for elder, and the three spirits venerated here (Toh Sae Khao, Toh Sae Daeng, and Toh Sae Dum) are believed to be three Javanese brothers who were among Phuket’s earliest settlers. Pork and alcohol offerings are prohibited here, consistent with those Islamic roots. Over the decades, Chinese folk religious elements were added, including the dozens of tiger statues in varying sizes that now guard the entrance and line the courtyard. The shrine draws locals from all communities seeking blessings in work, finance, and study, making it a genuinely multi-cultural place of worship.