Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most important temple, but visiting it alone takes less than an hour. Most tours combine it with nearby viewpoints, beaches, and a seafood lunch to create a full south Phuket experience. If you’re driving yourself or hiring a taxi for the day, here’s how to build a complete trip around the temple.
Start Early at Wat Chalong
The temple opens at 7 am. Early morning is the best time to visit. Fewer tourists, cooler temperatures, and you might catch monks during morning routines. By 10 am, the tour buses start arriving, and it gets noticeably busier.Spend about 45 minutes to an hour exploring. Climb the Grand Pagoda for views, watch the firecracker rituals, and visit the hall with statues of the famous monks Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. Don’t rush it. This is the cultural highlight of your day.
Karon Viewpoint
10 minutes from Wat Chalong
Karon Viewpoint is the classic three-bay photo spot. You can see Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon beaches from a single vantage point. It gets busy with tour buses around midday, so mornings are better. There’s a small car park and a few souvenir stalls. Five minutes is enough unless you want to linger over the view.
Nai Harn Beach
15 minutes from Wat Chalong
Nai Harn is one of Phuket’s prettiest beaches and a favourite with locals and expats. Hotels haven’t taken over the beachfront here, so it still feels relaxed. A few restaurants sit under the trees if you want lunch with a view. The beach faces west, which makes it a popular sunset spot during high season.
Windmill Viewpoint
15 minutes from Wat Chalong
The Windmill Viewpoint is easy to find because of the large wind turbine at the top. From here, you get panoramic views over Nai Harn, Ya Nui Beach, and the small island called Koh Man. It’s a quick stop, maybe ten minutes, but worth it for photos.
Ya Nui Beach
18 minutes from Wat Chalong
Ya Nui is a small cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and Promthep Cape. It looks like a secret beach but plenty of people know about it. You can rent kayaks, swim out to the rocks, or just grab a drink at one of the two small restaurants by the road. Good for a quick dip if you’re not in a rush.
Promthep Cape
20 minutes from Wat Chalong
Promthep Cape is Phuket’s most famous sunset viewpoint. Tour buses arrive in the late afternoon, so expect crowds if you’re there around 5 pm. The views are genuinely impressive, looking out over the Andaman Sea and nearby islands. There’s a small lighthouse and a shrine. If you’re not staying for sunset, a quick daytime visit still gives you the panorama without the crowds.
Rawai Seafood
10 minutes from Wat Chalong
Rawai is where locals go for seafood. The beach itself isn’t great for swimming, but the seafood market is the real draw. You pick your fish, prawns, or crabs from the vendors, then take them to a nearby restaurant to be cooked. It’s fresh, it’s cheap, and it’s a proper local experience. Good for lunch after the temple.
>Phuket Old Town
15 minutes from Wat Chalong
If you want something different from beaches and viewpoints, Phuket Town is worth exploring. The old streets around Thalang Road and Soi Romanee have Sino-Portuguese shophouses, street art, cafes, and local restaurants. You could spend an hour walking around or longer if you stop for coffee and lunch. It pairs well with Wat Chalong if you want culture over beaches.
Big Buddha
10 minutes from Wat Chalong
[Update Dec 2024: Big Buddha is currently closed and has been since August 2024 following a landslide. There is no reopening date. You can drive up to the back car park, but you cannot access the statue or the viewpoint. We recommend skipping it until it reopens.]
When open, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong are the obvious pairing, just 10 minutes apart. The 45-metre marble statue offers 360-degree views from Nakkerd Hill. Check our Big Buddha page for the latest status before planning your visit.
Suggested Routes
Morning at Wat Chalong + Beaches (half day) Wat Chalong → Karon Viewpoint → Nai Harn Beach → Windmill Viewpoint → Ya Nui → Promthep Cape → Lunch at Rawai
Afternoon at Wat Chalong + Culture (half day) Lunch in Phuket Town → Explore Old Town → Wat Chalong → Karon Viewpoint for late afternoon light
