Karon View Point is on the top of the hill. Wayside shelter was constructed at here for seeing the view. From this point can be seen 3 bays. The nearest bay is Kata Noi, next Kata bay and next Karon bay. Its shape likes 3 crescent moons. From this point also can be seen Koh Poo which is near 3 bays.
Promthep Cape is a windswept promontory that juts into the Andaman Sea at the southernmost tip of Phuket. Also written Phrom Thep Cape or Laem Promthep, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful spots in Phuket. The view here is certainly breathtaking, especially during sunset. Depending on the time of the year, the tall grass at Promthep Cape may change from verdant green to golden brown.
The name Promthep comes from “Prom”, which is Thai for the Hindu term, “Brahma,” signifying purity, and “Thep” means ‘God.’ Local villagers used to call Promthep Cape “Leam Jao”, or God’s Cape. During the olden days, it was a navigation landmark for seafarers traveling up the Malay Peninsula.
There is a shrine at Promthep Cape to the Hindu deity Brahma. It Thailand, it is usual for the devotees to present carved elephants to Brahma, either as request for a wish or as thanksgiving for granted wishes. The elephant is the mount of Brama and signify longevity. As a result, the Brahma shrine is filled with carved elephants.
A bodhi tree with colorful cloth around showing Thais’ respect for forest angels. Its branches are decorated with garlands and coloured flags. Rows of lamps are lit around the tree, and milk and scented waters are sprinkled on its roots.
In addition to the shrine, there is a lighthouse and a museum. It was built in 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King Rama IX’s accession to the throne. You can visit inside which shows a few exhibits such as some of the bulbs used.
Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away. Easily reachable via a six-kilometre road leading from Phuket’s main artery.
Known among Thais as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha in full, it is 25 meters across at the base. The whole body is layered with beautiful white Burmese marble that shines in the sun, making it a natural symbol of hope. The views, and the actual image itself are all breathtaking.
Close up to the image itself it is very peaceful and the only noises you will hear are the tinkling of small bells and the yellow Buddhist flags in the compound flapping in the wind plus soft background dharma music.
There are in fact be two Buddha images here. A smaller one, 12 metres high, made of 22 tons of brass and costing 8 million baht, was completed a while ago. The smaller Buddha image will be devoted to HM Queen Sirikit, while the big one will be devoted to HM King Bhumibol to celebrate his 80th birthday.
For a donation of 300 bhat, you can write your messages on the thousands of bricks and white marble slabs used to make up the image. On a good day more than 1,000 people visit the site, many of whom donate money for maintenance and write messages on the purchased items for good luck and in memory of passed-away loved ones.
Views from the Nakkerd Hills. The lofty site offers the best 360-degree views of the island (think sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, Chalong Bay, Cape Phromthep, Ao Makham and more.) We also snagged a geocache in the form of an ammo box here :)
Wat Chalong has been extending a warm welcome to visitors for over a century. Locals come to pray and Westerners come to learn something about Buddhism. The Grand Pagoda dominating the temple contains a splinter of Lord Buddha’s bone and is officially named Phramahathatchedi-Jomthaibarameepragat. The pagoda is decorated with wall paintings depicting the Buddha’s life story and also features various Buddha images.
Wat Chalong AKA Wat Chaitararam, is replete with history and legend. Many stories have been told about how the miracles performed there and how the wat played a pivotal and healing role in the fighting between Chinese secret societies (‘Angyee’) in 1876.
There happened to be a seasonal market open when we visited. According to our driver, this market is not always here. We took a walk around the market and spotted shops selling local food, colourful clothes and bags, and even very gross looking mountain goat oil.
This post is one of an 5 part entry of our January 2011 trip to Thailand.
See all the places we visited on this trip below:
[...] Phuket – Viewpoints & Temples [...]
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