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Wat Phra Thong (Half-Buried Buddha) Phuket

4.6

·1k reviews·Tambon Thep Krasatti, Thailand

Discover the legend of the half-buried golden Buddha at this ornate Phuket temple, a unique spiritual and cultural landmark.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Mornings

Beat the heat and crowds

CrowdLow

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Wat Phra Thong (Half-Buried Buddha) Phuket

Best Time

Mornings

Beat the heat and crowds

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover the legend of the half-buried golden Buddha at this ornate Phuket temple, a unique spiritual and cultural landmark.

4.6

(1k reviews)

"A must-visit for its unique half-buried Buddha and rich local legends!"

TIP

👗 Respectful Attire

Cover shoulders & knees before entering. Many visitors forget this crucial temple etiquette! 🙏

🚗 Return Trip Planning

Drivers may refuse pickups from the top. Book a round trip or arrange a specific pickup time. 🚗

Quick Facts

Rating

4.6 · 1,064 reviews

Type

Place of Worship

Address

172/2 Nanai Rd, Tambon Thep Krasatti, Amphoe Thalang, Chang Wat Phuket 83110, Thailand

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Half-Buried Buddha

Main temple hall

The iconic golden statue, partially submerged, is the temple's namesake and a must-see spiritual icon.

Temple Museum

Adjacent building

Explore local history and religious artifacts in the museum, offering a deeper understanding of the temple's significance.

Ornate Architecture

Temple grounds

Admire the intricate details and vibrant colors of the temple's traditional Thai Buddhist architecture.

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Planning Your Visit

Dress Code Matters

Remember to dress respectfully when visiting Wat Phra Thong. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the temple grounds. This is a common requirement for Buddhist temples in Thailand, so pack accordingly to avoid any issues.

Getting There & Back

While reaching Wat Phra Thong is generally straightforward, getting a ride back from the temple can be tricky. Drivers might be hesitant to pick up passengers from the top, so plan your return journey in advance. Consider booking a round trip or arranging a pickup time.

Best Times

When

Mornings

Why

Beat the heat and crowds

Crowd

Low

When

Late afternoons

Why

Softer light for photos

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Do these 4 things in Phuket #thailand #phuket #travel #traveltiktok #banglaroad #solotravel #backpacking #explore #foryou

@beardedtravels

21.7K likes • 906.9K views

👗 Respectful Attire

Cover shoulders & knees before entering. Many visitors forget this crucial temple etiquette! 🙏

🚗 Return Trip Planning

Drivers may refuse pickups from the top. Book a round trip or arrange a specific pickup time. 🚗

reddit.com

How to get to Big Buddha?

Hi all, looking to visit Big Buddha in the coming days. Does indriver or bolt rides takes us directly to the top? Any tips on how to indicate the address the reach the peak?

💰 Small Donations Welcome

Consider a small donation to help maintain this beautiful temple. :moneybag:

📸 Photo Opportunities

Capture the unique Buddha statue and intricate temple details. :camerawithflash:

Tips

from all over the internet

👗 Respectful Attire

Cover shoulders & knees before entering. Many visitors forget this crucial temple etiquette! 🙏

🚗 Return Trip Planning

Drivers may refuse pickups from the top. Book a round trip or arrange a specific pickup time. 🚗

💰 Small Donations Welcome

Consider a small donation to help maintain this beautiful temple. :moneybag:

📸 Photo Opportunities

Capture the unique Buddha statue and intricate temple details. :camerawithflash:

What Travellers Say

4.6

(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors are drawn to Wat Phra Thong for its unique half-buried Buddha statue and the intriguing legends surrounding it. The temple's ornate architecture and museum also receive praise. However, some travelers find the transportation logistics for returning from the temple to be challenging.

"A large, historical and religious Buddhist center, surrounded by large, massive trees and jungle.

The colors of this building play beautifully with gold in the sun, the harmony of its beauty is added by the sems (special stones that fence the sacred territory) placed on the sides and beautifully trimmed bushes.

Full information with video and easy navigation - in the application 👉 PHUKETON"

Igor Dvorov (PhuketON)

"Great temple to look at. A local told us this was the first temple built in Phuket. Please leave a small donation when you’re there :)"

Janina Kluczyk

"Large Temple site with many buildings, but only one was open when I visited and a large group of children were "making merit" at the Buddhist Shrines; lighting incense sticks, put gold leaf onto the statues etc. There is a small caffe on-site where you can buy refreshments. The site is equipped for large gatherings of people with big space for dining."

Miles Macdonald

What People Like

Unique half-buried Buddha

Intriguing legends

Ornate temple architecture

What People Dislike

Return transportation issues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

You can hire a taxi or tuk-tuk from Patong to Wat Phra Thong. Using ride-sharing apps like Grab or Bolt is also an option, but be aware that drivers might be hesitant to pick you up from the temple for the return journey, especially from the very top.

Yes, Wat Phra Thong is a well-known landmark. You can easily find it using Google Maps or by asking your driver for 'Wat Phra Thong' or the 'Half-Buried Buddha'.

Public bus routes might not go directly to Wat Phra Thong. It's generally more convenient to use a taxi, tuk-tuk, or ride-sharing service for direct access.

This can be challenging as drivers may refuse to pick up passengers from the top. It's advisable to arrange a round trip with your driver or pre-book your return journey.

Tuk-tuks might be available near the base of the temple, but availability can vary. Pre-arranging your return is the most reliable method.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is typically no entrance fee to visit Wat Phra Thong. However, donations are greatly appreciated to help with the temple's upkeep and preservation.

The temple is generally open daily from morning until late afternoon or early evening. It's best to visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the site.

No, tickets are not required. Wat Phra Thong is a functioning temple, and visitors are welcome to enter freely. Donations are encouraged.

Visitors must dress respectfully. This means covering your shoulders and knees. Avoid revealing clothing.

Photography is generally allowed within the temple grounds, but be respectful of worshippers and avoid taking photos during prayer times or in restricted areas.

📸 📸 Photography

The main hall with the half-buried Buddha statue is the primary photo opportunity. The intricate details of the temple architecture and the surrounding grounds also offer great shots.

It's best to ask for permission before taking photos of monks. Always be respectful and avoid intrusive photography.

Mornings offer softer light and fewer crowds, making it ideal for photography. Late afternoons can also provide beautiful lighting as the sun begins to set.

While generally permitted, avoid flash photography inside the main shrine and be mindful of worshippers. Some specific areas might have 'no photography' signs.

A versatile lens like a 24-70mm is useful for capturing both the overall temple architecture and closer details. A wide-angle lens can be great for the main hall.