Phuket Chinese Temples and Shrines
There are quite a few Chinese shrines in Phuket, and each has its own characteristics and unique features, which always offer excellent photo opportunities. The large ones are very popular during the Chinese New Year in February or the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in October. They can get extremely crowded, not to mention very loud, from firecrackers.
Jui Tui Shrine (Kew Ong)
Jui Tui Shrine is one of the most important Chinese temples in Phuket Town, located near the fresh market on Ranong Road. Dedicated to the Chinese god Tean Hu Huan Soy, 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, or Saengtham Shrine, is a historic Chinese temple on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. Built in 1889 by a Hokkien Chinese family, 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, also known as Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine, is a Taoist temple in the Sam Kong neighbourhood on the north side of Phuket Town. Built over a century ago, 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, also known as Chao Tao Bo Keng Shrine, is one of the oldest and most important Chinese temples in Phuket Town. 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.<.p>
Hok Nguan Kong Shrine
Hok Nguan Kong Shrine is a Chinese temple near the Surin Clock Circle in Phuket Town, founded over 80 years ago by the Chinese-Thai community. It reflects the influence of Chinese migration to Phuket, especially 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, 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, located in Thalang District near the Heroines’ Monument, is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket. It’s dedicated to the healing deity Po Sein 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 is a modern Chinese temple built in 1995, located inside Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town. 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 is a small, lesser-known Chinese temple on Thepkasattri Road in Phuket Town. Though modest, it holds cultural importance for the local Chinese-Thai community, especially during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Its name means “Palace of the Cloudy Sky,” reflecting traditional Chinese beliefs. 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, also known as Kuan Im Teng, is one of Phuket’s oldest Chinese shrines, built over 200 years ago in Phuket Town. 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 in Phuket Town
Hainan Shrine, or San Chao Hainan, is a historic Chinese temple on Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town, built in 1910 by Hainanese immigrants. Originally a shelter for newcomers, it became a spiritual hub for the community. Housed in a bright red Sino-Colonial building, it honours the Goddess of the Sea. The shrine features antiques, a peaceful atmosphere, and a yearly goat worship ceremony held in November to mark the goddess’s birthday.
Sheng Tek Beo Shrine
Sheng Tek Beo Shrine is a small but important Chinese temple in Phuket Town, located on Soi Saksit near Bang Neow Shrine. 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, 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 Chinese Shrine (Sam Sae Joo Hud Shrine) 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; it opened in May 2002.
Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng Shrine
Kathu Shrine, 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. Located in Kathu between Phuket Town and Patong, it was established in the early 1800s 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.
Pun Tao Kong Shrine
Pun Tao Kong Shrine is a small Chinese shrine located at the top of Patong Hill, between Patong and Phuket Town. Built in 1980 by Hokkien settlers, it’s dedicated to Pun Tao Kong, a local guardian spirit believed to protect travellers. 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 (ศาลเจ้าซุ่ยบุ่นต๋อง) is a lesser-known Chinese shrine tucked away at the end of Soi Phuthon, just off Phuket Road in the old town area. Despite its discreet location and modest entrance, it remains an active spiritual site and plays a meaningful role during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
Of course, there are many more shrines in Phuket town, not to mention all around the island. Another temple on the way to Monkey Hill is dedicated to tigers, with tiger statues and carvings everywhere in and around this small, unimpressive building. It’s not a great place, but you get to see the monkeys when going up there.
Chinese Shrines Photos
Chinese Shrines Map
FAQs about Shrines in Phuket
The Real Phuket
