Phuket’s most important temple
Wat Chalong, or Chalong Temple (officially Wat Chai Thararam), is the largest, most revered and most visited Buddhist temple in Phuket. According to some sources, it was built at the beginning of the 19th century, 1837. Chalong Temple is one of the Must-See places in Phuket, and the nearby Big Buddha of Phuket, as they are relatively close.
Arriving at Wat Chalong Temple in Phuket
Wat Chalong Video
The central temple is where most Thai people will make merit by offering lotus flowers and adding a small piece of gold paper to the monk’s statues inside.
Wat Chalong from above
Once in a while, you will hear loud explosions of firecrackers coming from a brick oven-like construction. That’s another way to make merit, supposedly to show gratitude when one of your wishes comes true. One person stands by to light the firecrackers for you; the big ones are pretty scary but make fun photos.
Sun reflecting on Wat Chalong in the morning
On the temple side, a dozen small shops sell all kinds of souvenirs and tourist stuff. But, strangely, the shops selling religious items are outside the temple ground, next to the gate.
People enjoy taking photos in the garden surrounding the temple
There are occasional funfairs displaying lots of food, plenty of favourite Thai games and big stage performances. It’s always fun, noisy, and entertaining and will undoubtedly give you exciting opportunities to take fun photos and insight into Thai life.
Wat Chalong is also known as Wat Chai Thararam
Inside the Chedi
The tallest building on the temple grounds is a 60 meters tall stupa (chedi) sheltering a bone fragment of Lord Buddha. Beautiful paintings retracing the most significant Buddha’s life steps decorate the walls and ceilings of the temple. Each floor is also full of large, donated golden statues.
The tall iconic chedi of Wat Chalong in Phuket
The chedi (stupa) of Chalong Temple is built on three floors, so feel free to climb to the top terrace to get a beautiful bird’s view of the entire temple grounds. A few more steps will lead you to a glass display where you can contemplate the fragment of bone.
Wat Chalong Bird View, seen from the Chedi
You can see the nearby Phuket Big Buddha from there, but you can see it almost anywhere in the southern part of Phuket island.
How to Get to Wat Chalong
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Daytrip Tours Including Wat Chalong
Is there a dress code at Wat Chalong?
Always remove your shoes before entering a temple
There is no strict dress code for visiting Chalong Temple. Theoretically, you should wear long pants and no sleeveless shirts on the temple’s grounds, but this requirement seems to belong to a past era. There is no need to tell you to remove your shoes before entering any of the buildings; you hopefully already know that. A sea of shoes randomly abandoned in front of the temple will remind you anyway.
- There is no entry fee.
- Dress respectfully.
- Take off your shoes and remove caps or hats when entering a building.
Making merit with firecrackers!
Firecrackers are used for making merit
Firecrackers are often used in Thai temples as a way of making merit, expressing gratitude, or celebrating special occasions such as festivals and ceremonies. In Thai culture, making merit is a significant aspect of Buddhism and involves performing good deeds or acts of generosity to accumulate positive karma.
Wat Chalong Fair
Wat Chalong Fair is a festival with stage performances, firecrackers, chaotic markets and spinning carnival rides. For about 10 days each year Phuket’s largest temple is host to just such an event. Every year during the Chinese New Year holiday, big crowds flock to Wat Chalong for its week-long fun fair.
The Big Buddha near Wat Chalong
The famous Phuket Big Buddha is on top of the hill near Wat Chalong
Phuket Big Buddha, the most iconic landmark of Phuket Island is just 6 km east of Wat Chalong and is often included in day trip tours.
Photos of Wat Chalong
Street View
Where to eat near Wat Chalong
We Cafe Chaofa
We Cafe Chaofa is a large restaurant that serves a vast array of international, western and Thai dishes at a very good price, located not far from Wat Chalong. We Cafe has been around for many years and has grown to three restaurants around Phuket and one in Bangkok.
Distance to Wat Chalong: 2.4 km
Open: 10 am – 9 pm
Phone: 088 752 1352
Sriwara Bistro & Cafe
Sriwara, a trendy yet relaxed restaurant situated close to the renowned Wat Chalong offers superb Thai cuisine alongside Indian-inspired dishes. The concept of the eatery draws inspiration from French bistros, as evident from the casual ambience, flooring, counter, and setting. The name Sriwara, meaning “majestic beauty,” justifies the attention to detail paid to interior design and decor.
Location: Chaofa Road
Address: 5, 57 Moo 3 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Road, Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83130
Hours: 9 am – 11 pm
Phone: 076 626 699
Ceres Korean BBQ
Ceres is a Korean barbecue restaurant located only 2 kilometres away from Wat Chalong. The meat, predominantly pork or beef, is of superior quality and while the price is a bit higher than usual, the cuisine is excellent and the menu offers an extensive selection of delectable dishes to choose from.
Location: 2 km south of Wat Chalong
Address: 1/107, Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: 093 640 5500
Information
Wat Chalong Info
Location: between Phuket town and Chalong
Address: 70/6 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Road, Chalong, Phuket 83130
Open: 7 am – 5 pm (but you can walk around the temple grounds anytime)
Phone: 076 381 226
Dress Code: No short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless Tee shirts
Price: Free
Built: 1837
Official name: Wat Chai Thararam
How to get to Wat Chalong?
Wat Chalong is easy to find on Chaofa Road, between Phuket Town and Chalong, south of Phuket Island. Just follow the many signs on the way to Chalong Circle. From Phuket town, take Chaofah Road to Chalong and Rawai. There are two Chaofah Roads: the one you need passes in front of the Central Festival and all the shopping malls. It’s about 10 km south of Central Mall, on the left and well indicated.
Distance from Patong to the temple: 16 km
From Phuket International Airport: 37 km
From Phuket Town: 9 km
From Bangtao: 29 km
From the Big Buddha: 8 km
Wat Chalong Map
Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/u9SBmUBRDh4d5a5p9.
