Wat Chalong
Phuket's most important temple, free to enter and open 07:00 to 17:00, with a 60 m chedi you can climb to a Buddha relic and firecrackers going off for granted wishes.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 07:00–17:00
- Entry
- Free
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Finding your way around Wat Chalong
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
What's in the grounds
- Phra Mahathat Chedi
- The 60 m chedi you can climb, three floors of Buddha images and murals of the Buddha's life, with a bone relic of the Buddha from Sri Lanka in a glass case at the top.
- The main hall
- Statues of Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, the monks who led Chalong through the 1876 Chinese rebellion, where most Thai visitors pray.
- The firecracker kiln
- A brick kiln by the hall where people set off firecrackers to give thanks when a wish made here comes true. They go off all day.
- Stalls and parking
- Market stalls near the entrance, and free parking for cars, motorbikes and minibuses.
Getting there and around
- About 15 minutes by car from Phuket Old Town (8 to 9 km) and from the Big Buddha (8 km), and about 25 minutes from Patong (16 km), where a taxi or Grab costs ฿300–500 each way.
- A round-trip taxi from Patong covering Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha runs about ฿1,500–1,800, agreed in advance.
Details
- Phone
- +66 76 381 226
- Website
- www.wat-chalong-phuket.com
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Chalong
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chalong.
Why go, and how to do it well
The chedi is the reason to come. The 60 m Phra Mahathat Chedi holds a fragment of the Buddha's bone from Sri Lanka, and you can go inside and climb its three floors, past Buddha images and murals of the Buddha's life, to the relic in its glass case at the top and a view over the grounds. Everything else builds around it, with gilded halls, carved detail and a meditation hall that stays calm even when the parking lot is full.
Wat Chalong, properly Wat Chaiyathararam, is Phuket's most important Buddhist temple and dates from the early 19th century. Its best-loved monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, led the people of Chalong through the Chinese rebellion of 1876 and treated the wounded with herbal medicine, and their statues are where most Thai visitors pray. The bangs you'll hear all day come from a brick kiln by the main hall, where people set off strings of firecrackers to give thanks when a wish they made here has come true.
Give it an hour, more if you like wandering between shrines and the stalls near the entrance. Weekday mornings are quieter. The temple fair runs for about ten days around Chinese New Year, with food stalls and concerts every night, and it's the busiest week of the year here.
Entry is free, donations are welcome, and the temple is open daily from 07:00 to 17:00. Cover your shoulders, chest and knees, and take your shoes off before any building; sarongs are available near the entrance. Parking is free. It's about 15 minutes by car from Phuket Old Town and from the Big Buddha, and about 25 minutes from Patong, where a taxi or Grab runs ฿300 to ฿500 each way.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Tours that include Wat Chalong
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chalong.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Chalong, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Chalong, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Alteast one hour recommended for Wat Chalong is one of the most peaceful and beautiful temples I visited in Phuket. The architecture is absolutely stunning, with golden decorations, detailed carvings, and vibrant colors that truly reflect Thai culture and spirituality. The main pagoda (chedi) is the highlight of the temple complex. You can even go inside and climb up to the top floor, where you get a nice view of the surrounding area. Inside, there are beautiful murals on the walls that depict stories from Buddha’s life, and the atmosphere feels very calm and spiritual. The temple grounds are very clean and well-maintained. There are multiple prayer halls, statues, and smaller shrines around the complex. Many locals come here to pray and make offerings, so it’s a good place to experience authentic Thai religious culture. One interesting thing is the firecracker area where people light crackers as part of traditional rituals. It adds to the cultural experience, but it can be a bit loud at times. Entry is free, but visitors should dress respectfully (covered shoulders and knees). It’s not just a tourist attraction it’s an active place of worship, so maintaining silence and respect is important. Overall, Wat Chalong is a must-visit if you're in Phuket. Whether you’re interested in culture, history, photography, or just looking for a peaceful place to spend some time, this temple is definitely worth visiting. 🙏✨
Wat Chalong is one of the largest and most beautiful Buddhist temples in Thailand, and truly a must‑visit when in Phuket. The architecture is stunning, with intricate details that highlight the cultural and spiritual richness of the site. Within the compound, you will find three to four temples, each more impressive than the other, creating a serene and inspiring atmosphere. The convenience of cab services like Bolt and Grab is excellent, as they can pick up and drop you directly inside the temple grounds. There is also a small market within the compound offering food and clothes, adding to the overall experience. I recommend visiting in the early morning or evening, as the midday heat can be intense. Overall, Wat Chalong is a remarkable temple that combines beauty, accessibility, and cultural depth—an essential stop for anyone exploring Phuket.🙏🏻🙏🏻
I had a chance to visit this incredible temple during my Thai visit and every moment spent was worth it. The entire place is huge with many shrines across the campus. We also had a chance to pray and get blessings from the monk. The meditation hall is peaceful as well. The parking area especially the taxi pick up and drop areas were well designed. We also have a few stalls for refreshments which are reasonably priced. Overall, I loved this place. Peace and calm to spend with family on 4 to 5 hrs tourist destination.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 17,334 reviews on Google.
70 หมู่ที่ 6 Thanon Chao Fah Tawan Tok, Tambon Chalong, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Chalong: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Chalong free to visit?
Yes. There's no charge to enter, and donations and offerings are welcome. Parking is free too.
What time does Wat Chalong open?
07:00 to 17:00 every day, on the temple's own site.
What is the dress code for Wat Chalong?
Cover your shoulders, chest and knees, with no sleeveless tops, short skirts or bare midriffs, and take your shoes off before entering any building. Sarongs are available near the entrance.
Why are there firecrackers at Wat Chalong?
They're thanks. When a wish made at the temple comes true, people come back and set off firecrackers in the brick kiln by the main hall, so you'll hear them all day.
How much time do you need at Wat Chalong?
About an hour, including the chedi climb. Most people pair it with the Big Buddha, 15 minutes away, in one morning.
When is the Wat Chalong fair?
For about ten days around Chinese New Year each year, with food stalls and nightly concerts.
Is Wat Chalong worth visiting?
Wat Chalong holds a 4.6★ rating from 17,334 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Phuket.
Where is Wat Chalong located?
Wat Chalong is at 70 หมู่ที่ 6 Thanon Chao Fah Tawan Tok, Tambon Chalong, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand, in Phuket. Getting around Phuket: Grab (widely available); Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate).
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