8 Chinese Shrines in Phuket

1. Jui Tui Shrine

Best known and most popular during the festival period is probably Jui Tui Shrine, right in the middle of Phuket Town, and right next to it you’ll find Put Jaw Shrine, more modest but even more revered for being the oldest Chinese shrine in Phuket. It’s bright, colourful and very decorated if you have the chance to visit around festival times.

2. Shrine of Serene Light

Not too far from these is another beautiful temple called ‘Shrine of Serene Light‘. It used to be a very special place only known from a few, the ones that spent enough time exploring. One entrance was a narrow anonymous gate near the well known ‘On On hotel’, opposite of the amulet market and knowing this entrance was a little pride we enjoyed sharing like a personal secret. But there was better: another hidden entry even more interesting: behind the kitchen of a small friendly restaurant called ‘Wilai‘, located next to the China Inn on Thalang Road.

‘This secret path is still there, but the secret of the shrine of Serene Light has been exposed: The narrow front entrance has recently been wiped out, remodelled and is now a big and colourful Chinese gate with massive pillars all wrapped with golden dragons… hard to miss!

3. Lim Hu Tai Su (Sam Kong Shrine)

Sam Kong Shrine, also known as Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine is between Chillva Night Market centre and ‘Bangkok Hospital Phuket’ on the outskirt of Phuket town.

4. Bang Niao Shrine

Bang Niao near Robinson Shopping Center on the way to Saphan Hin is a significant shrine during the Vegetarian Festival.

5. Kio Thian Keng Saphan Hin Shrine

Kio Thian Keng Saphan Hin Shrine, in Phuket town, is a small and modest shrine but it plays a significant role during the Vegetarian Festival and several lesser-known Chinese events in Phuket.

6. Hok Nguan Kong Shrine

7. Sui Boon Tong Shrine

8. Tha Rua Shrine

Of course, there are many more shrines in Phuket town, not to mention all around the island. Tha Rua Shrine was once a popular tiny temple on the way to the airport, just before reaching Heroins Monument. Few years ago it was taken down and a huge building was erected at the location. It is really a large construction and it took a long time to build. Still today, it doesn’t look quite finished and it also seems to be less popular than the original discreet one.

Another temple on the way to Monkey Hill is dedicated to tigers with tiger statues and carving everywhere in and around this small unimpressive building. It’ not a great place, but you get to see the monkeys when going up there.