Traveling to Thailand would be incomplete without visiting a temple. Besides the famous dream beaches on Koh Phangan, there are about twenty historical temples that can be visited and each of them is interesting in its own way. Find the list of the most beautiful temples on Koh Phangan for you to explore.
Koh Phangan Temples
1. Chinese Temple (Guan Yin Temple), Koh Phangan
The Chinese Buddhist temple is one of the most colorful on Koh Phangan. It is a popular destination for tourists and is probably the most famous temple on the island. The Chinese temple is located on a hill, just 5 minutes from Chaloklum area. This shrine was constructed for Goddess Guan Yin. The temple was originally used as a lighthouse and as a guide for fishermen to protect local fishermen of Chaloklum bay.
The temple was built according to the teachings and visual principles of Chinese Buddhism. The bright red and green colors of the roofs and the many beautiful details and decorations stand out. The whole complex includes 3 main buildings, each located on a different level. There is a beautiful park around the temple, with breathtaking views opening from the observation deck. If the visibility is clear, you can see Chaloklum Bay and further on to Koh Tao. The atmosphere here is calm and peaceful. It is a place for meditation and worship by Thais and Chinese from all over Thailand. The entrance to Chinese temple currently costs 40 THB per person but it’s worth a visit. The opening times is from 8:00 to 17:00.
2. Wat Pho, Koh Phangan
Wat Pho is located in Baan Tai village, on the south coast of Koh Phangan. Wat Pho is a popular attraction of the island as it’s an example of a typical Thai architecture. Although it has a shrine where you can pray, the temple is best known for its massages and for the Temple Sauna. If you are looking for an extraordinary temple experience, you should try the herbal sauna here. The traditional herbal sauna heated by burning wood with herbs at Wat Pho costs 150 THB per person. Massages are also offered for 150 THB per hour. Entrance to the temple is free.
3. Wat Phu Khao Noi, Koh Phangan
Wat Phu Khao Noi, translated as "the small temple on the mountain", is the oldest temple on Koh Phangan Island. It was founded around 1400 by Buddha monks who discovered Koh Phangan. The temple is located on a small hill in central Koh Phangan, in the immediate vicinity of the Thong Shala hospital. It is a beautiful, shady place with an intimate atmosphere, where you can witness the daily rhythm of the monks. This place can probably be considered the most tranquil and peaceful sight on Koh Phangan. The monk in charge also speaks some English. What is noteworthy is that you can get fantastic views of Koh Phangan and its surroundings and the shimmering ocean. There is no entrance fee. The mini golf course is also nearby.
Check out the complete travel guide to admiring the stunning views from the best Koh Phangan Viewpoints.
4. Wat Khao Tham, Koh Phangan
Wat Khao Tham, meaning Mountain Cave Temple, is a Buddhist monastery, built in the year 1894. This temple is located in Baan Tai village, near Thong Sala. Inside Khao Tham Temple, there is an imitation Buddha's footprint and many Buddha statues. In this temple, there are several Buddhist monks who will be happy to open the doors of their home to allow you to get to know them closely.
This temple is aimed for both Thai and foreigners who want to receive spiritual retreats consisting of meditation sessions, yoga exercises and chants, and other practices. Vippasana meditation takes place every month. The temple area is beautiful and shady. Since this temple is located on a hilltop, it is also a famous scenic spot for tourists and also a beautiful sunset view point of Koh Phangan. Wat Khao Tham is undoubtedly one of the most suitable places to find some peace and serenity on the island.
5. Wat Chaloklum, Koh Phangan
Wat Chaloklum is a local temple in Chaloklum, north coast of Koh Phangan, adjacent to Ban Chalok School. Wat Chaloklum is the temple with the famous monk, Luang Por Chan. The temple features white building. Although the temple is beautiful in itself, tourists hardly stop there as it is small. However, temple complex is definitely worth a visit. The entrance to Wat Chaloklum is free of charge.
6. Wat Maduea Wan, Koh Phangan
Mathura Wararam Temple Koh Phangan is more commonly known as Wat Maduea Wan. It is located near Phaeng Waterfall, on the western border of Than Sadet National Park. This temple preserves a replica of the Lord Buddha's footprint that is enshrined on the hilltop. This Temple also has a great set of stairs leading up to the hilltop with the giant 5 headed serpent Naga’s on each side at the top and bottom of the stairs. Don't expect any wonderful views from the top, as the tall trees block the view. Even without a view, it is a special experience to climb such unique stairs.
7. Wat Paa Sang Tham, Koh Phangan
Wat Paa Sang Tham is a Thai Buddhist temple, set right in a lush forest between the beaches of Thong Sala and Chaloklum. The temple was started to be built not so long ago. Here you can see countless small statues and many lovely details of the temple. There is an impressive huge golden rock right in the jungle. Here, the entry is free of charge.
Where to stay in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan has accommodations of all types and price ranges, from simple hostels and budget hotels, mid-range resorts to luxury resorts and villas on the hill overlooking the sea.
You can find the cheapest hotels in Koh Phangan that will allow you to enjoy a pleasant stay at the best price. If you want the real comfort on your vacation, take a look at the best luxury hotels in Koh Phangan.
To help you find the perfect accommodation on this island, we have prepared a guide to the best areas to stay in Koh Phangan. Here you will find best areas to stay on the island and our hotel recommendations for individual beaches and bays area.
How to get to Koh Phangan
Due to the lack of airport and mainland connection, Koh Phangan can only be reached by boat. To make your journey easier, we have prepared several tips on how to get to Koh Phangan easily and safely from different parts of Thailand.
If you want to get an overview of all travel options, we recommend using this search form.
For more information on travel options check here:
How to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
How to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (and vice versa)
Tips
When you’re visiting temples, it is good to follows some rules respecting the Buddhist and Thai tradition. Always remember to dress appropriately when you are about to visit a temple: no shoes, arms and legs covered, and avoid pointing your feet in the direction of the Buddha. Selfies in front of Buddha figures are inappropriate. Read our article about Thailand temple etiquette for more information.
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are located next to each other, which is why it makes very good sense to combine the three islands into one trip - it is quite easy to get from island to island by boat.
Koh Phangan is an ideal alternative for holidaymakers who are looking for peace on the beach. We have summarized the best beaches on the island in this detailed article: Most Beautiful Beaches in Koh Phangan.