Hua Thanon · Cultural Sites
Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine
A Chinese shrine at Hua Thanon dominated by a 16-metre bronze statue of Guan Yu, the deified Chinese general - said to be the largest of its kind in Thailand. Red-and-gold halls, dragon murals and settler portraits tell the story of Samui's Hainanese Chinese community. Free entry.
- Free
- Hua Thanon
- Checked 25 Sept
Insider tips
- Wearing red is considered lucky here.
- Follow the posted instructions in the inner shrine about where to stand and how many incense sticks to offer.
- Combine with Hua Thanon's Muslim fishing village market and nearby Wat Samret.
- Very little shade on the forecourt - avoid midday.
The story
The Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine is a Chinese shrine on the southern ring road at Hua Thanon, just below Lamai. Its landmark is a 16-metre multi-coloured bronze statue of Guan Yu, a general of China's Three Kingdoms era who is worshipped today as a god of loyalty, honesty, courage and protection. Thai and international sources describe it as the largest bronze Guan Yu statue in Thailand.
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Hua Thanon is one of Koh Samui's oldest Chinese-Hainanese settlements: a first small shrine is said to have been built here by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century (one source dates it 1872), and the community later raised the present complex; several sources say the big statue was completed around 2016, while one says the shrine was designed in 2008 - the exact timeline is not consistently verified. Stairs and ramps lead up beside the statue to shrine rooms decorated with golden dragon murals, calligraphy, lanterns, banners and prayer drums. One room displays portraits of the Chinese settler families of Samui, and there is a small tea room.
The shrine was conceived as a cultural centre for the island's Chinese-descended community and is also used for weddings. Wednesday evenings, a Chinatown-style walking street market has been held in front of the shrine. Entry is free; incense, firecrackers and donations are voluntary.
Good to know
- Open daily, from about 08:00 into the late afternoon.
- Free · Free; small donations for incense are welcome.
- Early morning or late afternoon - the open forecourt around the statue has almost no shade at midday. Wednesday evening for the walking-street market.
- Family friendly: Yes
Plan a visit
Free route: you go by your own scooter, car or on foot and we work out the order. Private tour: a local driver picks you up and takes you.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 · 6 sources
Sources and last check
- Last checked
- 25 Sept 2026
- What was checked
- Details checked 25 Sept 2026
- Next check due
- September 2027
Official sources
Plus 5 other references and local research.
