Chinese temples in Thailand
Due to the large number of Thai-Chinese people in Thailand, it’s so common to see many Chinese shrines and temples spread out across urban cities like Phuket and Bangkok.
Here, we have picked 8 Chinese temples and shrines around Thailand where you can pay respects, make wishes, and enhance your luck for this Chinese New Year.
1. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (วัดเล้งเน่ยยี่), Bangkok — a popular Chinese temple in Yaowarat
Located in Yaowarat, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is one of the oldest shrines in Bangkok, featuring tiled roofs and intricate animal motifs, particularly highlighting the majestic presence of dragons. The shrine is known as a good place to seek blessings to enhance luck.
Once inside, you’ll be captivated by its stunning architectural designs, adorned with countless red lanterns hanging throughout the space. There are many gods you can pay respects to here, such as Guanyin, The Four Diamond Kings of Heaven, and Caishen.
You can get to this temple by taking the MRT to the Wat Mangkorn Station and walking for about 2-3 minutes.
Address: 423 Charoen Krung Road, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Nearest train station: MRT Wat Mangkorn Station
Google Maps
2. Tiger God Shrine (แขวงศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ), Bangkok — a shrine to drive away your bad luck
The Tiger God Shrine near The Giant Swing is a Taoist shrine renowned as a place to visit when encountering hardships in life. Visiting the shrine during Chinese New Year, you can expect to see a large crowd gathering at the booth at the entrance buying incense and candles, showing how respected the shrine is. If it’s your first visit, you can ask the seller at the booth to guide you on how to pay respect inside the shrine.
FYI, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) promotes the Tiger God Shrine as one of the nine temples to pay respect to in Bangkok.
Address: 468 Thanon Tanao, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: 6am-5pm, Daily
Nearest train station: MRT Sam Yod Station
Google Maps
3. Fo Guang San Temple (วัดฝอกวงซัน), Bangkok — a Taiwanese temple with grand architecture
Fo Guang San Temple is a Taiwanese temple that will trick you into thinking you are in Taiwan. The temple boasts remarkable Taiwanese-style architecture that combines traditional Buddhist design elements with modern aesthetics. The temple complex features graceful curves, intricate carvings, and ornate decorations, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
One of the most striking features of the temple is its majestic main hall, adorned with colourful murals depicting scenes from Buddhist scripture and mythology. The hall’s soaring ceilings and ornamental columns create a sense of grandeur and reverence, inviting you to contemplate and meditate in its serene ambience.
Visiting Fo Guang San Temple during Chinese New Year can give you a good experience as the temple will be filled with a festive atmosphere while you are paying homage to the gods here.
Address: 468 Thanon Tanao, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm | Monday 10am-4pm
Google Maps
4. Wat Dhammakatanyu (ศาลเจ้าเสียนหลอไต้เทียนกง), Samut Prakan — a temple with the Five Guardian Generals
An hour away from Bangkok, Wat Dhammakatanyu in Samut Prakan is another Taiwanese temple worth visiting during CNY. Designed by a Taiwanese architect, the temple houses the Five Guardian Generals from different five clans — Li clan (李), Xu clan (徐), Wu clan (吴), Zhu clan (朱), and Fan clan (范). In Taiwanese belief, these gods represent integrity and are thought to be celestial beings entrusted with the duty of protecting and advising humans.
Currently, the temple is holding the Lantern Festival that will last until 3rd March, offering lantern displays and Thai-Chinese performances.
Address: 5 Soi Mulnithi Dharmakatanyu, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan 10280
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Nearest train station: BTS Kheha Station
Google Maps
5. Pung Thao Kong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าปุงเถ่า), Chiang Mai — a 140-year-old Chinese shrine
For those living in Chiang Mai, check out Pung Thao Kong Shrine. This shrine is the oldest shrine in the city — over 140 years old — and is revered by the local Thai-Chinese community, who believe that Thao Kong offers protection, prosperity, and good fortune to those who pay homage to him. Apart from Thao Kong, the shrine offers a lot of Chinese gods to pay respect to.
The Pung Thao Kong Shrine is also notable for its colourful decorations, intricate architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, especially during festivals and religious celebrations.
Address: 45 Praisanee Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Google Maps
6. Wat Leng Hok Yi (วัดเล่งฮกยี่), Chachoengsao — a well-known temple among Chachoengsao residents
Wat Leng Hok Yi is the only Chinese temple in Chachoengsao. The temple is dedicated to various Chinese deities, including Guan Yin (the goddess of mercy), Mazu (the goddess of the sea), and other revered figures from Chinese mythology and folklore and serves as a place of worship, where devotees come to offer prayers, make offerings, and seek blessings for various aspects of their lives.
At Wat Leng Hok Yi, you will spot a striking tower that stands as a focal point within the complex, attracting you to grab a camera and snap it.
Address: 45 Praisanee Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Google Maps
7. Jui Tui Shrine (ศาลเจ้าจุ้ยตุ่ย), Phuket — a shrine to ask for good luck in love
Image credit: @ikhan.akib via Instagram
While Phuket offers several Chinese shrines to explore, Jui Tui Shrine is our preferred choice for its convenient downtown setting, ensuring easy access for visitors. Revered by Phuket’s Thai-Chinese residents, this shrine is a favoured destination for individuals seeking blessings for their businesses, health, and love.
The shrine remains a key venue for organising various ceremonies and celebrations within the Thai-Chinese community in Phuket. This includes important traditional events such as the Chinese New Year festival, visits to ancestral homes, and other annual rituals believed to bring good luck and happiness in life.
Address: 283 Soi Phutorn, Tambon Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Google Maps
8. Guan Yu Shrine (ศาลเจ้ากวนอู), Koh Samui — shrine with a 16-metre Guan Yu statue
If you take a trip to Koh Samui, take the opportunity to pay respects to Guan Yu Shrine. The most prominent feature here is the 16-metre statue of Guan Yu overlooking the sea.
Guan Yu is revered as one of the most respected deities in Chinese culture. Renowned as a skilled military leader during the Three Kingdoms era, he is now celebrated for his historical fame, characterized by loyalty, righteousness, bravery, and intelligence.
Paying respect to Guan Yu will help you be prosperous in trading and meet sincere and honest people.
Address: 399/1-4, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Google Maps
Seek blessings for this new year at Chinese temples
The month of Chinese New Year is here; so we think it’s a good idea to visit any of these Chinese temples to pay our respects and seek blessings for good fortune in the times ahead. Hopefully, this 2024 will be a better year and a fresh start for everyone. Happy Chinese New Year!
If you want to read more of our articles, discover do’s and don’ts during CNY, 8 relatives you run into every CNY, and 7 ways Thais do to get rid of Lunar New Year misfortune.
Cover image adapted from: @a.basic.picture via Instagram and @kaimairujapainai via Instagram