Did you know that the renowned Vegetarian Festival in Phuket originated at this ancient shrine? This shrine has long been a part of Phuket's history, and the locals affectionately refer to it as "Am Kathu" or "Chai Ting" (where "Am" is the term used by people in Phuket to mean shrine). According to the legend of the Kathu Shrine, the site where the shrine stands was once rich in mineral resources, particularly tin. This abundance attracted many Chinese immigrants, who brought with them their culture, beliefs, and worship of deities and ancestors, leading to the establishment of the Kathu Shrine as a place of veneration for the local community. An important event in the shrine's history recounts a troupe of Chinese opera performers who traveled to Kathu to put on a show. Suddenly, one of the actors fell gravely ill, prompting the troupe to conclude that they had not yet performed the traditional vegetarian rite that is a part of their customs back in China. They proceeded to conduct the ceremony at their opera stage. Remarkably, after the rite, the previously ill actor recovered swiftly, astonishing the residents of Kathu. Currently, the Kathu Shrine has been recently renovated, modeled after the grand shrines in China, making it larger and more visually stunning than its original form. Inside the shrine, visitors can find various Chinese deity statues, as well as intricately carved wooden sculptures representing sacred figures, some of which are over a century old. You'll also see an altar for worshiping deities and a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, dressed in white, with a serene expression and a red dot on her forehead. In her right hand, she holds a water vial, while her left hand is positioned in a gesture of blessing, standing majestically upon a dragon pedestal. This statue is considered one of the most beautiful representations of Chinese deities. Location: Kathu District, Phuket.