While looking up places to visit in Phuket’s Old Town, one of the recommended spots was the Jui Tui Shrine. We still had a bit of time left, so off we went!

The shrine started off as a simple, single storey structure – but has since moved from its original location along Soi Romanee to Ranong Road. The new shrine is bigger, more elaborately decorated and apparently quite a sight during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival! It is dedicated to the deity Tean Hu Huan Soy, patron god to performing artists and dancers.

Now that you mention it, the temple decorations do have that ‘Chinese opera’ feel to it –  bright, colourful flags and lanterns lining the entrance, as well as intricate tapestries hanging from the ceiling.

Tapestry with colourful tassels and golden dragons,  surrounded by flower motifs.

Tean Hu Huan Soy sits on the highest position, surrounded by other Chinese and Taoist deities.

One of the interesting structures here is the ‘firecracker house’ – a thin, fiery red building next to the temple’s entrance. It’s four pillars are ornately carved with figures of golden dragons on blue clouds and green waves, while lion dogs (kei lun) guard a ‘door’. The building is actually used during festivals to throw firecrackers in, to reduce noise and air pollution. 🙂

Just next to Jui Tui is the smaller Put Jaw Shrine, the oldest Chinese temple in Phuket dating 200 years old. Dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy or Guan Yin, there is a statue of her along with her two side deities, Little Red (Hung Ha Yee) and Nazha. The architecture and temple decorations are purely Chinese, with little Thai influence. Wooden red doors inlaid with gold carvings, red and yellow lanterns, red cloth and dragons adorned the place.

The inside was fork shaped, with a main altar and two side areas. Each housed dozens of deity statues. Visitors can try their hand at fortune sticks – you have to shake a container filled with wooden sticks until one falls out, then read the fortune on it.

Guan Gong, or Lord Guan, is a Chinese deity with a red face, armed with a signature curved spear-blade. Said to be a real-life army general, he is considered a God of War and stands for brotherhood and rightneousness, being the patron deity for many Chinese businesses. Due to his strong and intimidating presence, it is said to ward away evil and bad luck. This table seemed to be dedicated to Guang Gong and other similar gods.

On another table stood many statues of goddesses like Tian Mu (the Heavenly Mother) and the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin.

It was a quick trip as the temples were not big, but it has nice architecture and is worth a visit. Devotees can also pray for blessings. Who knows if they’ll come true? (But in that case, you’ll need to make a return trip here to ‘repay’ the favour! :))

Temple opening times: 8am – 10pm.

Soi Phuthorn, Ranong Road