Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The chedi is the main reason to visit. The 60-meter-high Phra Mahathat Chedi houses a fragment of a Buddha bone from Sri Lanka. Visitors can enter and climb the three floors, past Buddha statues and murals depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, to the relic in its glass case at the very top, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the grounds. Everything else is clustered around the chedi: gilded halls, intricate carvings, and a meditation hall that exudes an oasis of tranquility, even when the parking lot is full.

Wat Chalong, officially Wat Chaiyathararam, is Phuket's most important Buddhist temple and dates back to the early 19th century. Its most popular monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, led the people of Chalong through the Chinese Rebellion of 1876 and treated the wounded with herbal medicine. Their statues are where most Thai visitors pray. The popping sounds heard throughout the day come from a brick kiln next to the main hall. There, worshippers light fireworks to express their gratitude when a wish they made here has come true.

Allow about an hour, or even longer if you want to wander among the shrines and the stalls at the entrance. It's quieter on weekday mornings. The temple market runs for about ten days around Chinese New Year, with food stalls and concerts every evening. It's the busiest week of the year.

Entry is free, donations are welcome. The temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please cover your shoulders, chest, and knees and remove your shoes before entering any building. Sarongs are available at the entrance. Parking is free. The journey from Phuket Old Town and the Big Buddha takes about 15 minutes, and from Patong, about 25 minutes. A taxi or Grab taxi costs between 300 and 500 baht each way.