Koh Phangan Temples - The 5 Most Beautiful Temples

Today I’d like to introduce you to my Top 5 of the most beautiful temples on Koh Phangan. I have already mentioned in my first article of this year’s visit that the island has more to offer than just parties “Koh Phangan – More Than Just Full Moon Party” (English version coming soon). If you feel like visiting the mostly Buddhist temples on Koh Phangan, you should definitely keep these 5 temples in mind!

Koh Phangan temples – places you shouldn’t miss

How to get to Koh Phangan

The island of Koh Phangan doesn’t have its own airport, which means that a boat trip to reach the island is necessary. With a flight to Koh Samui or Surat Thani you can only bring one leg behind you. Tickets for flights are best found at Skyscanner.

In addition, you can travel by bus or train to Surat Thani, but even there you have to change to a boat at the end. There are several providers to choose from such as Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry etc. Tickets and connection times can be found on 12go.asia or GetYourGuide.

Accommodation in Koh Phangan – our hotel tip

The bungalows in the Sea Love Beach Bar & Bungalows are rather small, but they and the whole resort area have an absolute feel-good atmosphere! Located directly by the beach, Sea Love offers a beautiful and quiet environment. The village of Ban Tai with many restaurants, shops and a 7-Eleven is only a 5 minutes walk away. There is also a swimming pool and plenty of hammocks, where you can admire the wonderful Koh Phangan sunsets every evening.

For more hotels in Koh Phangan visit this page.

1. Goddess of Mercy – Chinese Temple

The Chinese temple is probably my favorite place on the island in terms of appearance. The complex was built with many lovely details on the slope of a mountain. In addition to the Chinese Buddha statues, the building is also covered with great decorations and dragons or statues that resemble Chinese warriors.

If the weather is good, there is a magnificent view of Chaloklum Bay and if you’re lucky, you can even spot Koh Tao in the distance.

The only drawback at this location is that tourists have to pay an entry price of 40 baht. But of course € 1 is acceptable for such a beautiful temple.

By the way, according to the “legend”, the temple was built because an American woman had a vision in a dream. She was commissioned by a Chinese Buddha to build a lighthouse for the sailors, because they could not see the island in the dark. However, because so much money was collected during the financing of the project, the lighthouse became an entire temple complex.

How to find the temple

The Chinese temple is located on the main road that leads from Koh Phangan’s main town of Thong Sala to Chaloklum. On the road, a sign reading “Goddess of Mercy Shrine Joss House” also indicates the driveway to the temple.

Opening hours: Daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

2. Wat Pah Saeng Tham

This is another of the countless temples on the island. It’s nice to look at with its many Buddhist statues and a larger Buddha statue in the jungle, which can be reached by climbing about 100 steps.

The building around the Chedi of the temple is unfortunately under construction at the moment and so I was denied a nice view of it.

It’s a small complex, but definitely has its own charm and it’s not far from the Chinese temple. You should totally stop here for a short visit.

How to get to the temple

Like the Chinese temple, it is located directly on the main road between Thong Sala and Chaloklum. By scooter it is about 3 minutes from the Chinese temple. Whoever stops by there should not miss Wat Pah Saeng Tham.

3. Wat Chaloklum

A somewhat smaller, but no less beautiful temple is Wat Chaloklum. A quiet complex in the middle of a small fishing village. Not that many tourist visit this place, which is probably why we were the only visitors that day.

Where is the temple?

If you follow the main road from Thong Sala, you will come to an intersection in Chaloklum with a 7/11 supermarket. From there you have to follow the road to the left. After a few small Thai stores on the left side of the road, with by the way delicious food, the entrance to the temple area is just in front of you.

4. Wat Khao Noi

This temple complex is the oldest on Koh Phangan. The name translates as “temple of the small mountain”, which is fitting in that the temple is located on a small hill.

When it comes to spelling, however, people disagree. Some spell it “Wat Khao Noi”, some “Wat Khao Noy” and others write “Wat Phu Khao Noi”.

If you visit the temple in the morning, you might meet some monks there, with whom you could have a little chat.

How to find the temple

Wat Khao Noi is located not far from the main village of Thong Sala near Koh Phangan Hospital. It is marked on most Koh Phangan maps and if you still can’t find it, you could just follow the mini golf signs. The mini golf course is located on the same hill right next to the temple.

5. Wat Khao Tham

This temple was the first one I visited on Koh Phangan. The temple complex is also located on a mountain and offers a beautiful view of the island.

Besides some smaller chedis and Buddha statues, you’ll also find a meditation center here where you can stay for 10 days. The visitors of this center live and meditate on the temple grounds. A fantastic experience, in my opinion!

How to get to the temple?

When you’re on the road from Thong Sala going in the direction of Baan Tai, which also leads to Haad Rin, after a while you will see a sign saying “Wat Khao Tham”. If you follow the sign, you will end up on a small side road that leads up the mountain. The end of the road is marked by the temple!

Many more temples…

These 5 temples are as I said only my personal 5 most beautiful on the island. Koh Phangan has a few more to offer, which are located in all sorts of different corners of the island.

But in order to not leave you empty-handed, I would like to mention a few more temples and the places where they are located.

• Wat Srithanu – it’s located in the town with the same name Baan Srithanu, often pronounced as “Seethanu”.
• Wat Thong Nai Pan – it’s located in the coastal town Baan Thong Nai Pan on the northeast coast of Koh Phangan.
• Wat Pho – not to be confused with Wat Pho in Bangkok. A small beautiful temple complex not far from the village Baan Khai. Massages and a herbal spa are also offered here in accordance with the name.
• Wat Ratcharoen – this small temple complex is located in the main village of Thong Sala.
• Wat Samai Kon Ka – this temple stands near Baan Wok Tum.

The small island in the Gulf of Thailand really has a lot of temples to offer and culture enthusiasts get their money’s worth here as well and not only party lovers.

Koh Phangan: Tours and tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Koh Phangan in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Koh Phangan.

Which temple is your personal favorite? Maybe we’ve even forgotten to name an important one? Leave us a comment and your opinion!