Wat Chalong Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Wat Chalong. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Travstore Original Phuket Discovery Tour - Shared Half-Day City Tour

• Phuket Private Instagram Tour: All-Inclusive

• Phuket City Tour – Old Town, Local Food, Temple, and Viewpoint

• Private Customized Phuket Tour With Driver

• Big Buddha Jungle Trekking and Temple Tour With Lunch

It’s free to visit Wat Chalong, although donations are welcome. Many travelers swing by as part of a Phuket island tour. Prices for a half-day, small-group island tour start at around US$25 per person, including entrance fees, while longer private island tours cost roughly US$150 per group.

Yes, Wat Chalong is well worth visiting. It's Phuket's liveliest and largest temple, a focal point for the island's Thai Buddhist community, and a great place to understand how Buddhism is practiced in the here and now. Its 197-foot (60-meter) chedi contains a fragment of bone worshippers believe came from the Buddha. Seeing it on a tour helps you slot it into the context of the island, while leaving the crazy traffic to your driver, and learn what Buddhism means to modern Thais.

Per one customer who booked the Private Morning Сeremony in Wat Chalong (Chaithararam Temple), "Sunsanee was amazing. This is the way you want to see the temples to gain a real authentic Thai experience. From start to finish, everything was well done—making the lotus flowers to lighting candles and incense... to releasing the fish at the end. Wat Chalong is beautiful, and seeing it early morning as a local does and experiencing their culture and understanding more is something that will stay with me forever. It was beautiful."

To reach Wat Chalong from Phuket Old Town, take a taxi or tuk-tuk for a 15-minute journey. For a more affordable—albeit slower—option, take a songthaew—local bus—to Chalong and then hire a tuk-tuk to the temple. Driving a rented car or scooter is also convenient, with free parking on-site.

Wat Chalong is open daily, 8am–5pm. While there, you can tour inside the temples and other structures. However, the temple grounds are open to the public 24/7, allowing you to enjoy the buildings’ exteriors at sunrise, sunset, or any time that suits your schedule.

The 200-foot (60-meter) Phra Mahathat Chedi (stupa), which houses a relic of Buddha’s bone, is Wat Chalong’s most impressive attraction. Don’t forget to check out the complex’s other buildings and lush gardens. As Wat Chalong is a functioning temple, you may witness Buddhist ceremonies and rituals; be respectful.

There is no entrance fee to visit Wat Chalong. The temple complex and its grounds are free to locals and foreigners alike, making it a friendly destination if you’re on a backpacker’s budget. However, cash donations are accepted to help maintain the temple, its relics, and its surroundings.

Wat Chalong has a strict dress code, as do all Buddhist Temples. You must dress modestly when visiting the temple complex. Ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. Women should avoid short skirts, and men should avoid short shorts. Remove your shoes before entering any temple buildings.

Yes, guided tours are available at Wat Chalong. These excursions often include live commentary on the complex’s history and transportation for added convenience. Many tours include stops at nearby attractions, such as Karon Viewpoint, Big Buddha, and Old Phuket Town. It’s advisable to book in advance to ensure your place.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Wat Chalong. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Phuket:

• Big Buddha Phuket

• Chalong Bay

• Phuket Old Town

• Patong Beach

• Promthep Cape

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Phuket.