Phuket Must Visit Places: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Phuket Old Town and Viewpoints

by Tsvete Popp
Not many people know that Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and also the main hub for island hopping. Phuket is one of the top destinations not only in Thailand but in Southeast Asia too. The huge island has so much to offer: starting from its natural beauty to rich culture, Phuket is a real island paradise! In 2021 we spent one month in Phuket which gave us the opportunity to discover its most interesting attractions as well as many hidden gems 🙂

 

Phuket Big Buddha พระพุทธมิ่งมงคลเอกนาคาคีรี:  (I love these letters but it takes some time until I can learn to read). Phuket Big Buddha has the best 360-degree views of the southern part of the island, sightseeing of Phuket Town, Kata beach, Karon beach, Chalong Bay… During some normal times, more than 1,000 people visit this Phuket Buddha temple every day, many of them donate money for Phuket Big Buddha’s maintenance and to write messages on purchased items for good luck and in memory of passed-away loved ones. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Located at Yot Sane 1, Karon, between Kata and Chalong and the entry is for free.

 

Wat Chalong is the largest and most revered of all 29 temples in Phuket. This temple is a good example to dive into Thai culture, believe and thought. It was built at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The temple grounds are home to several religious structures, including a 60-meter stupa known as Phra Mahathat Chedi. This stupa is said to hold a bone splinter of the Buddha, a gift from Sri Lanka. The relic that is named Phra Borom Sareerikatat is kept inside a glass case on top of the 60 meters high Phra Mahathat Chedi.

 

Phuket Old Town – perfect for all the people who visit the biggest island of Thailand and want to take a break from the many beaches around the island. Phuket was a famous tin-mining center before it became Thailand’s most popular island. Traders from Europe, China, Arabia, and Asia all gathered to exchange spices and goods for tin and rubber which the island exported. The Hokkien Chinese brought with them the shophouse architecture so famous of other Chinese-influence cities like Penang/George Town in Malaysia or Singapore, and that style blended with the European architecture of the time to produce colorful and beautiful buildings that today line the main streets of old Phuket Town and make it such a pretty town. The Old Town exceeded my expectations in many ways. I feel like we truly stumbled into an underrated gem of Thailand.

 

The best viewpoints of Phuket: Karon Viewpoint, the Big Buddha, Windmill, and Promthep Cape are the best-known viewpoints of the island, but there are many more, and all are great photo opportunities. There is no doubt, Phuket Viewpoints offer amazing views and stunning scenery! 

Where to Stay in Phuket

As you would expect from a major tourist destination in Thailand, Phuket has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.

If you are searching for a lively place with plenty of bars, shops, and restaurants, your best choice would be Patong. If you are searching for plush resorts, nice cafes, restaurants, bars, or a honeymoon atmosphere – Kata & Karon are the best choices. If you want to learn about the history of Phuket, the place to stay is Phuket Old Town. If you are searching for luxury and privacy, Bang Tao is probably the best neighborhood to stay in Phuket. If you want to stay close to the airport where the beaches are not so crowded, the best place would be the area around Mai Khao beach. If you want to enjoy more the local vibes, you may book your accommodation in Rawai or Chalong.

 

Patong: The Shocking Reality in 2021 | Streets & Beach in Patong, Phuket

Phuket Big Buddha

You can find alternative hotels in Phuket here.

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