9 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 by a few, the ones that spent enough time exploring. One entrance was a narrow anonymous gate near the well known ‘On On hotel’, opposite 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)

Lim Hu Tai Su is a Chinese Taoist shrine on the north side of Phuket Town, also known as Sam Kong Shrine for the neighbourhood it’s found in. Though not as well known by visitors as larger Chinese shrines like Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket’s Old Town area, Sam Kong Shrine is a revered place of worship for the local community. It’s become a key part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival when it hosts several ceremonies and a procession during the annual 9-day event. Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine, also known as Sam Kong Shrine is between Chillva Night Market centre and ‘Bangkok Hospital Phuket’ on the outskirt of Phuket town.

4. Bang Neow Shrine

Bang Niao near Robinson Shopping Center on the way to Saphan Hin is one of the oldest and most significant shrines in Phuket, especially 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

Hok Nguan Kong Shrine is a Chinese temple found near the Surin Clock Circle in Phuket Town. It was founded more than 80 years ago by the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket. From the 1800s well into the 20^th century, thousands of migrants from China arrived in Phuket to work in the tin mines and establish merchant businesses.

7. Sui Boon Tong Shrine

8. Tha Rua Shrine

The Tha Rua Shrine was once a popular tiny temple on the way to the airport, just before reaching Heroins Monument. A 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.

9. Sam Sae Chu Hut Shrine

Sam Sae Chu Hut Chinese 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, opened in May 2002.