San Chao Cho Ong, or Tai Yuan Tang, is a small but very old Chinese shrine on the corner of Patiphat Road and Krabi Road in Phuket Town. It doesn’t draw big crowds like the famous Jui Tui Shrine nearby, but it is an important place for the local Hokkien Chinese community.
The shrine is dedicated to Cho Ong Tai Te, a guardian deity believed to protect the community from illness and misfortune. Many locals stop here to make offerings and light incense, especially during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
You can easily spot San Chao Cho Ong when walking around Old Town. It is right opposite Go Benz, the very popular rice soup restaurant that often makes it into the Michelin Guide. The entrance to the shrine is small, with a short flight of steps leading to a simple but beautiful altar room. Inside, you’ll find old wooden beams, carved panels, and the usual red and gold decorations. It feels very much like a community shrine — quiet, humble, and full of history.
San Chao Cho Ong is also just a few steps from another small shrine, San Chao Mae Yanang, which is on the same stretch of Krabi Road. And if you’re visiting Jui Tui Shrine, it’s only about 300 metres away, making it easy to include all three in a short walking loop.
I usually pass by here when exploring this part of town or heading to Go Benz for a late dinner. It doesn’t look like much from the street, but if you’re curious about Phuket’s many Chinese shrines, it’s well worth a quick visit.
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Willy Thuan
Willy Thuan is the founder of Phuket 101. After travelling through 40+ countries and working with Club Med and Expedia, he settled in Phuket in 1994. He shares real travel insights and original photography from across Thailand.View Author posts
