Wat Chalong in Phuket: how to get there by bike and what to see

What this place is and why visit

The temple's full name is Wat Chaiyatararam, but everyone calls it Wat Chalong. It's a working monastery, not an open-air museum: monks live here year-round, hold services, bless newlyweds and receive offerings from locals. The grounds and halls are open daily 7am-5pm, entry is free. Over a million people visit every year — yet on weekday mornings the square before the pagoda can still be nearly empty.

Wat Chalong is easy to combine with a trip to Big Buddha or Ton Ao Yon Waterfall — all three sit in the island's south, 15-20 minutes apart. Allow 40-60 minutes for the temple itself: climb the pagoda, walk round the prayer hall and, if you're lucky, hear the firecrackers.

What to see on the grounds

The complex's centrepiece is the roughly 60-metre Chedi Phra Maha That pagoda, built in 1999-2001 to house a relic: a fragment of the Buddha's bone gifted by Sri Lanka to King Rama IX. The relic sits in a glass case on the top floor, reached via a staircase painted with scenes from the Buddha's life — worth pausing to study, among the island's most detailed murals.

The second must-see is the main prayer hall (ubosot), with a golden Buddha statue and statues of revered monks, including Abbot Luang Pho Chaem, whom people visit to bless vehicles and bikes. Off to the side stands a small brick "kiln" where locals set off firecrackers to thank the spirits for granted wishes — the bangs echo across the grounds several times an hour, one of Wat Chalong's most recognisable features.

Getting there by bike and by car

The route is simple: from anywhere in south or central Phuket, follow signs for Chalong — the temple sits right on Chao Fah West Road and is visible from afar thanks to its pagoda. By bike, expect roughly these travel times:

By car the time is much the same, except at Chalong Circle during rush hour — 8-9:30am and 5-6:30pm — where you might sit an extra 5-10 minutes. On a bike this junction is easy to weave through, so at peak times two wheels often beat four. If you're still choosing a bike for this route, check the bike catalog — almost any model handles this road with ease.

• Patong — 25 min, 16 km
• Chalong — 10 min, 5 km
• Rawai and Nai Harn — 15 min
• Kata and Karon — 15-20 min
• Phuket Town — 20 min
• Airport — about 50 min, 40 km

Parking & entry

Parking at the main entrance is large and free — there's room even in high season, tour buses and bikes park separately, the lot is easy to see across and rarely fills up completely. It's a 3-5 minute walk to the pagoda under shady trees.

Entry to the grounds and temple buildings is free; donations go in boxes at the entrance if you wish. A dress code applies inside the pagoda and prayer halls: shoulders and knees must be covered, so shorts and tank tops won't do — sarongs are available to rent, but your own light long-sleeve shirt or sarong is more convenient. Shoes come off before entering buildings, so wear something easy to unlace.

Tips: timing, crowds and what to bring

The calmest time is weekdays before 10am, while tour buses are still leaving hotels in the south and monks are finishing morning rituals. After lunch and on weekends, the pagoda and firecracker shrine get busier, especially in high season from November to March. Bring water — there's little shade on the square before the pagoda — a light scarf or shirt in case you forget the dress code, and small baht notes for donations and firecrackers if you light your own.