Wat Khao Rang - Part Two

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After visiting the temple on the left and walking up to the Golden Buddha you must now visit what is specifically Wat Thepkajonjit - simply walk out and turn left - it cannot be missed.

Wat Thepkajonjit is a magnificent Wat on the side of Rang Hill - it's beauty is impressive and if you go on a day when the light is on the golden tiles and the sky is blue your photographs will be magical.

As you approach the Wat you will be struck with the serenity of the location - one car drove past us in an hour and we met only two people (who did not take their shoes off, because - "the stone was too hot").

Next to the steps are two very impressive 'stone creations' which seem to be created from a child's nightmare - impressive and a little scary. I understand that this is to protect those that enter the temple? Then there is a more traditional Buddha.

The steps seem to be steep but it is worth making the effort. 

As I reached the temple at the top of the stairs I was surprised by the detail given to the figurines which surrounded the temple all perfectly created but all a little different.

I was unable to confirm that I had seen them at a Wat previously BUT I had seen them in a Chinese Shrine.

Phuket is a wonderful place to be...

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Rang Hill - Restaurants, Temples, monkeys and more

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Rang Hill is more than just a very steep hill - but it is steep!

I would actually advocate walking up it because there may be things which you would not see. Starting at the very bottom there is a wonderful Chinese Shrine called Sam Se Je Hud which is currently (June 2014) being made bigger.

As you begin to walk up the hill you will see a Buddhist Temple on the right, this does not receive a lot of media attention and it is not clear why. I have entered always with respect and I think that it is a place for teaching .

A little way up and then there is a Buddhist Cemetery - which has since been closed.

Then the journey begins - and it is steep - past Phuket View restaurant on your left and the first stop is on your left a a small gap in the trees (there are some steps) to a Fitness Park - the upkeep of this Fitness Park does not seem to be much but I feel exercising by walking up is enough!

After trying all the equipment out (quite old) then it is time for a drink and I would advocate going to the Tunka Cafe - it is open for lunch and dinner and have a fresh coconut or a cold Singha.

After this then there is a quick visit to the recently completed viewpoint - i did not see this at the time of writing - Jamie did.

Then there is another restaurant - Khao Rang Breeze restaurant as you begin to walk back and don't forget that there are monkeys on the hill and that there is usually someone there selling you food.

Note: there are some toilets here for 5 Baht.

This time the way down is the left hand road and this road winds slowly and take you to a wonderful Buddhist Temple called Wat Thepkajonjit.

Here there are two temples next to each other. One has an enormous meditating golden Buddha on it and usually monks praying in the room underneath.

Next to this is an enormous Wat with a number of scary looking spirits outside - this is the actual Wat Thepkajonjit.

Completing the walk down the hill will take you to the Yaowarat Rd...

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Wat Thepkajonjit - Part One

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This is a Wat which is not visited very often by the visitor to Phuket and I feel that it should be - but maybe it would not be so beautiful?

The Wat is on the road down from Tunka Hill Cafe and Rang Hill view and view.  The road is winding and is not always the easiest to drive down - but it is always worth it.

The temple that you first come upon is a temple that has visitors who come to meet the monks - we were there whilst a monk was beginning his prayers and the atmosphere was wonderful.  We walked through the Prayer Room of the temple and there were a great number of Buddhist statues which were all connected by the ubiquitous white thread.

Following the prayer session we walked outside where I was confronted by a model tiger who looked like he had just consumed an animal, after this I looked further and was surprised to find a Ganesha - a Hindu Elephant statue.

Phuket certainly is a myriad of religions.

After pausing at this statue we climbed up the stairs where we found a beautiful Golden Buddha - the spectacle was magnificent - it is certainly a must for a place to visit.

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Rang Hill and a statue

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If one was to take a trip up Rang Hill - whether it is to visit a restaurant (Phuket View, Tunka Cafe or Khao Rang Breeze) one should always look a little further.

I cannot come here without visiting the Wat Thepkajonjit with the Golden Buddah on the roof and the creative decoration at the front - a wonderful experience.

However there is a monument at the very top constructed to commemorate the Phuket Governor who is credited to starting the Rubber Business in Phuket - Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisornpakdi.

So what is so interesting about this?

Well he is actually a Chinese Tycoon but he did save the business in Phuket. The price of Tin was dwindling and the price of rice was not doing much better. He persuaded the people of Phuket (and hundreds of Chinese) to plant Rubber Trees - and it was a very successful move.

His second name to which he is referred to is Khaw Sim Bee.

Rumour does tell me that he actually smuggled back the seeds to the rubber trees after a visit to Malaya...

Despite this King Rama V Chulalongkorn of Thailand named him as the most successful Provincial Governor (in that period) and then King Rama VI conferred him Thailand's Highest Honour - The Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.