Guan Yu Shrine Samui

Located on the 4169 ring road is the Guan Yu Shrine Samui. South of Lamai situated in Hua Thanon, it the impressive Guan Yu Chinese Statue. Officially opened in January 2016 the Guan Yu Shrine is 16 meters in height. The Big Buddha Statue in Kao Fan is 12 meters and Guan statue 4 meters taller. The Guan statue stands at the same height as the Big Buddha without the pedestal the statue sits on. The original construction work for the statue and the temple began in 2012 and continues to the present day.

The Shrine

The shrine displays and preserves the traditional Chinese artefacts. Within the Guan Yu Shrine Samui is a Chinese tea room. Behind the statue of Guan are a museum and gift shops. The views of Hua Thanon Harbour are amazing. The traditional long tail boats adorn the harbour on the Hua Thanon Beach. Old photos hang on the walls at the shrine giving an insight to Guan Yu and Chinese Samui heritage. The shrine holds religious festivals and weddings and the funds raised are used for the upkeep of the temple.

History of Guan Yu Shrine Samui

Known as Yunchang, Guan Yu was born in the Xiezhou of the Hedong region. Yunchang was born in 160AD and died in 219AD. Guan died fighting in a civil war that led to the downfall of the Han Dynasty. For his loyalty and his military talents, Guan was honoured and respected by his community and beyond. Within the Chinese community, the influence of Guan Yu extends worldwide. The first settlers arrived the 1700s. The Thai Buddhist communities of Samui welcomed the settlers to the island. Integrating into the local communities and marrying, the Thai-Chinese culture was born in Samui. To make a living and to start trading the settlers dealt in cotton, rum and silk.