Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Phuket

44 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Buddhist Temples

Wat Suwan Khiri Khet
3
MAP H4 • Patak Road, Karon
• Open 8am–5:30pm daily
Also known as Wat Karon because
of its location, this temple features
engravings depicting scenes from
the Buddha’s life on the doors and
windows. Two fantastic turquoise
naga serpents encircle the main
temple building and form railings
down to the entrance. A smaller
building guarded by a statue of a
yak (mythical character in the Thai
Ramayana) houses an attractive
black sapphire Buddha image.
Temple building at Wat Chalong Wat Kathu
Wat Chalong
1 4
MAP J2 • Moo 4 Baankathu,
Phuket’s most visited temple
Kathu • Open 8am–5:30pm daily
comprises a number of ornately Located just outside Patong, this
decorated buildings, which were temple offers a peace ful respite from
built at different times. The temple the surrounding frenzy of tourist
holds statues of former monks and activity. Its red windows are decorated
lifelike wax models. Sometimes, in gilt-covered reliefs depict ing scenes
there are firecracker displays of from the Buddha’s life; colored glass
gratitude for answered prayers from and tiles decorate the exterior.
devotees. The annual Wat Chalong
Wat Suwan Kuha
Fair is held at the temple around 5
Chinese New Year (see pp16–17). MAP F2 • Phang Nga
• Open 8am–5:30pm daily • Adm
Wat Prathong
2 This temple is popularly known as
Built in the 1750s, and known
Monkey Temple, for the throngs of
locally as Wat Phra Phut, this temple pesky animals that reside within its
(see p91) is Phuket’s second most grounds and beg for, or steal, food.
important after Wat Chalong. The The actual Buddhist monuments
half-buried golden Buddha here are located inside a breath-
statue is the main attraction. taking cave, with a massive reclining
According to legend, Buddha image forming the center-
any one who tries to piece. Located in Phang Nga, this
uproot the statue Buddhist temple is a popular stop
will be cursed. for day-trippers from Phuket.
Reclining Buddha of
Wat Suwan Kuha

044-045_Top_10_Phuket.indd 44 16/06/2017 13:01