Phuket: resorts, hotels, tracks, and temples. The essence of a trip to Phuket can be as much a relaxation experience as it can be a cultural experience. While the relaxation aspect is taken care of by large hotel groups and chains like COMO Hotels & Resorts, the cultural aspect is mostly attributed to Wats, or temples that are a cornerstone in Buddhism.
There are 29 Wats in Phuket itself, as the population is mostly Buddhist. Out of these 29, Wat Chalong is among the most popular among devotees and learners alike. There are several statues of interest located within Wat Chalong, including that of Poh Than Jao Wat and Ta Khee-lek. There are statues of former abbots of the temple like that of Luang Ph Gleum and Luang Poh Chuang. However, what attracts the devotees to the temple is the presence of Phramahathatchedi-Jomthaibarameepragat, a splinter of a bone of Lord Buddha. There are paintings on the walls of the pagoda that depict life stories of Lord Buddha, as well as different images of Him. While there is a lot to observe and admire within the pagoda, there is also an exhibition home that you can visit that has life-like wax figures of the temple’s abbots. It is a museum of sorts with furniture and other artefacts from the temple’s history being put on display.
The temple is open to the public from seven in the morning until five in the evening. It is required to take off your shoes when entering the temple and is customary to wear clothes that cover the body from shoulders to the knees. While it is true that the country is rather hot and humid, these are customs that are expected as a form of respect. It would make your trip a lot convenient if you pack attire with these local expectations in mind.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+