Wat Chalong (Chaithararam Temple)

One of the most popular temples of Phuket, Chalong Wat is an impressive building almost always flocked with devotees and tourists. The place is adorned with about three dozen carved Buddhas, intricate gold carvings, a serpent bannister of stone and lotus ponds. It is close to the Big Buddha, and both can be visited on a single trip.

Phuket houses numerous Buddhist temples dotted across the island, but Wat Chalong remains the largest and the most striking in terms of architecture. The temple is built in the traditional style, with several buildings surrounding a five-story high main structure, all housed in the same compound. The temple complex is flanked by many small stalls selling mostly clothes, but one can also find unusual items such as orchids. Situated 8 km south of Phuket, it s the most beautiful and revered temple in the area. Also located in the temple compound is a newly established Phra Mahathat Chedi devoted to a relic of Buddha.