MOST of the tourists who come to Phuket know one place, and one place only: Patong. In this series, we will guide you to a typical day in other cities/villages of Phuket, and let you know what’s best to visit and where to grab lunch or dinner.
The first area we will be looking at is Chalong. Chalong lies in the south of the island, bordered by Phuket Town on the east and Rawai on its west side. While the village is mainly residential, it still offers a fair share of places to visit and places to eat.
Chalong Temple
You cannot mention Chalong without talking about its temple. One of the most important religious sites of the island, it was built to honor Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who led the citizens of Chalong against the Chinese rebellion in 1876. The temple is home to a regular market, which offers plenty of souvenirs to bring back home. You should try to visit early to avoid the hot weather and the many tour buses that arrive around noon.
Big Buddha
Another well-known attraction of the area, the Big Buddha is a giant statue of Lord Buddha, sitting atop the hill. You can reach the top through a small street leaving from Chao Fa West road, which is marked accordingly. Not only the monument itself is impressive to see, but the view you will get from there covers the entire southern part of the island.
Animal Shows
Don’t go there. Period.
Chalong Pier
There is one of the main piers you will visit if you plan on a day-trip to the surrounding islands, such as Koh Phi Phi or Koh Racha. The street that leads to the pier is packed with small restaurants and bars that light up at night. There are also numerous diving centers located on that street that can organize different dives based on your preferences.
Kan Eang @ Pier
This is one of the most famous restaurants in the area and a favorite for Thai locals who want to indulge in great seafood while watching the sea. Located near the pier, this restaurant focuses on seafood and has a rather large seating area, mostly outdoor. The fresh sea breeze at sunset while sipping a refreshing drink will wrap up your daytime experience pretty well. Time to plan another day and for that, we’ll see you next week.
By Nattha Thepbamrung
Comments
