Wat Chalong: Location, Timings, Things to Do and See

Wat Chalong is one of the most important and holy temples in Phuket, Thailand. It is a proud symbol of faith, community, and healing for the people who live there, and it is still one of the island’s most popular spiritual sites. The temple is the biggest Buddhist temple in Phuket and also the most important in terms of history and culture. It is located in the Chalong Subdistrict of Mueang Phuket District.

Wat Chalong is still an important spiritual centre for both locals and tourists. Wat Chalong is a great place to learn about Phuket’s spiritual history. It has a beautiful 60-meter-high Chedi that holds a sacred bone fragment of the Buddha, as well as colourful temple fairs, gilded statues, and murals that show the Buddha’s life.

Whether you’re a devout Buddhist, a curious traveler, or just want to get away from the island’s beaches for some peace and quiet, a trip to Wat Chalong will give you all of those things.

History of Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong was built in the early 1800s, when King Rama II was in charge. However, some historians think that the temple’s foundation may be even older. At first, the temple was just a small, local place of worship. It became famous in the late 1800s because of the good works of two well-known monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang.

When local tin miners revolted during the Chinese Rebellion of 1876, the island was thrown into chaos. People in Chalong looked to the monks at the temple for help and advice. Luang Pho Chaem, who was the abbot of Wat Chalong at the time, and Luang Pho Chuang became symbols of moral strength and leadership. They helped the community come together to protect their home and used herbal medicines they made themselves to treat the wounded. The people of Phuket will always remember their bravery and kindness, and they were later made saints.

Over the years, Wat Chalong grew with new halls, pavilions, and shrines. The best part was when they built the Phra Mahathat Chedi, or the Chedi of Wat Chalong, to hold a piece of the Buddha’s bone that had been brought from Sri Lanka. This shining chedi, which is 60 meters tall, is now the spiritual centre of the temple complex.

Location, Directions & Timings

Wat Chalong is about 8 kilometres south of Phuket Town and about 20 minutes from Patong Beach. It is easy to get to from most parts of the island because it is on Chaofa West Road. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes by car or taxi from Phuket Town to Wat Chalong. Take Route 4021 south on Chaofa West Road; the temple will be on your left.

It is open every day from 7:00 am to 5 pm but the best times to go are in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and there aren’t as many people.

Things to Do and See in Wat Chalong

• The Great Pagoda: The Phra Mahathat Chedi, a beautiful 60-meter-high structure, is the most important part of Wat Chalong. This building is both awe-inspiring and deeply spiritual because it was built to hold a sacred relic: a piece of the Buddha’s bone.
• Statues of the Honoured Monks: Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang are the two most important people in Wat Chalong’s spiritual heart. The wax statues in the main hall look very real. People from the area come to pay their respects, bring flowers and incense, and ask for blessings.
• The temple grounds and buildings: The temple complex has a lot of richly decorated traditional Thai-style viharns (prayer halls), ubosots (ordination halls), and pavilions. The roofs are layered and have beautiful carvings of mythical creatures and golden serpents (naga).
• The Market Area: The market area right outside the main complex is a busy place that is very different from the temple’s peacefulness. The market goes into the temple grounds and is often full of stalls selling amulets, souvenirs, snacks, local foods, and herbal medicines.
• Making a Good Deed: People who come to the temple can join locals in doing good deeds, like lighting incense, giving lotus flowers, or giving money to the temple’s fund. You can also buy small sheets of gold leaf and put them on Buddha statues as a sign of respect and good karma.
• The Chedi Terrace View: Make sure to go up to the top terrace of the Chedi. You can see all of Chalong Bay and the temple grounds below from here. The red and gold roofs shining in the sun are so beautiful, especially in the late afternoon light.
• The Buddha’s Relic: The temple’s most sacred treasure, a relic of the Buddha’s bone brought from Sri Lanka, is kept in a glass case at the top of the chedi. People can quietly pay their respects and meditate in front of this holy object.

Tips before you visit the Wat Chalong

• Take off your shoes before going into any temple building.
• Always talk quietly and don’t laugh loudly on temple grounds.
• It’s rude to point your feet at statues of Buddha or monks.
• Don’t touch monks, especially if you’re a woman.
• You can take pictures, but don’t use flash in prayer halls and be respectful during ceremonies.
• The best time to go to Wat Chalong is in the morning, between 8 and 10 AM, when it’s cooler and not as busy.
• The temple’s colours and architecture look even better in the late afternoon, around 4 PM, when the light is golden.
• Don’t go during the day when the sun is strong, especially if you want to walk around the chedi terrace.

FAQs about Wat Chalong