How to Open the Purple Door and Get Wo-Chien in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

A true treasure hunt.
How to Get Wo-Chien Legendary in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Weirdly enough, Gen 9’s four new Legendary Pokemon are based on Chinese mythology, not Spain and Iberia like the rest of the Paldea region. Could this be a hint for Gen X’s location? Who knows, but regardless, these four sub-Legendaries are cool as hell.

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One of them is Wo-Chien. And if you want to add it to your team, you’re going to have to put a lot of work in – it’s not easy! Here’s how to open the purple door and get Wo-Chien in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Note that we won’t post any screenshots of the Legendary Pokemon here to avoid spoiling those who want the surprise.

Unlocking Wo-Chien’s Shrine in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

When first starting the game and getting access to the open world, you no doubt went exploring around South Province (Area One). And if you did, you probably came across a mysterious purple door with four chains around it. What is it, you ask? This is where the Legendary is hibernating.

Wo-Chien Shrine Map Location in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Wo-Chien’s shrine is in the southeast portion of South Province (Area One).
(Credit: The Pokemon Company / Game Freak)

You can’t open it yet, though. See those four chains? You need to remove them. And to do that, you need to find several purple stakes scattered around South Province. There are eight purple stakes in total – two for each chain.

Click on a link below to automatically scroll to that section of this guide:

Wo-Chien Shrine Prerequisites

Before you go on an adventure to find all eight purple stakes, you need to have met the following requirements:

  • Unlocked Koraidon/Miraidon’s climbing ability (you may be able to use its double-jump if you’re really precise)
  • Reached at least level 50, though the higher the better

Purple Stake #1 Location

Stake 1 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Mind the gap!
(Credit: The Pokemon Company / Game Freak)

Stake #1 is in South Province (Area Three). Take Mendoza’s east exit and then follow the path until you see a Pokemon Center. Before you reach it, you’ll see a female trainer. Take the path to her left and follow it around to find the stake at the top of a large rock. You’ll have to jump over a gap to get it.

Purple Stake #2 Location

Stake 2 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Climb up the wall and then the rock straight ahead.
(Credit: The Pokemon Company / Game Freak)

You’ll need to head back to South Province (Area One) for this one, specifically where the Wo-Chien Shrine door is. Climb up the wall next to the shrine to reach a higher platform. Head forward past a small pond and you’ll see a large rock directly behind it. The stake is on top.

Related: How to Evolve Bramblin into Brambleghast in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Purple Stake #3 Location

Stake 3 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Look for the waterfall.
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

Stake #4 is south of Los Platos in the beginning area. Warp to Los Platos (East) and climb the mountains directly south of the Pokemon Center. At the top, you find a pool leading into a waterfall and the purple stake.

Purple Stake #4 Location

Stake 4 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
The mountain looks like a snail shell.
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

Fast travel to Mesagoza (South) and then open your map. Look directly east and you’ll see a mountain formation in the shape of a spiral. The stake is at the top of the mountain in the middle. Either run around the base of the mountain until you reach the top or use Koraidon/Miraidon to climb straight up.

Purple Stake #5 Location

Stake 5 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
It’s right by the Academy.
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

Return to Mesagoza (South) and go east immediately. Jump over the small brick wall here and continue along the narrow path, being careful not to fall off into the water, until you reach a dead end. Climb up the wall here to find stake #5.

Related: How to Evolve Pawmo into Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Purple Stake #6 Location

Stake 6 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Literally just behind the Pokemon Center.
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

Stake #6 is just outside of Artazon in South Province (Area Three). Warp to Artazon (West) and climb up the rock face directly to the south of the Pokemon Center. You’ll find it at the top.

Purple Stake #7 Location

Stake 7 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
“Please mind the gap.”
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

Travel to South Province (Area Three) Watchtower and head directly north until you reach a large gap. Jump down and then climb up the rock straight ahead to reach the other side of the gap. You’ll find Stake #7 here.

Purple Stake #8 Location

Stake 8 Wo-Chien Shrine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Easy as pie.
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

For the final Stake, warp to Los Platos (East) and then climb up the small mountain range to the northeast. You’ll find it at the top of one of the peaks overlooking the lighthouse.

Related: How to Evolve Primeape into Annihilape in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Opening Wo-Chien Shrine in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)
Time for a showdown!
(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)

With all eight Stakes collected, a text box will appear with a Pokemon’s cry to let you know that something shifted in the shrine. Return to Wo-Chien’s purple door to find that all four chains are now broken and can now be opened. Interact with the door and select “Yes” when the game asks if you want to “touch the shrine” and your encounter with the Gen 9 Legendary, who is level 60, will begin.

Good luck! And don’t forget to bring a ton of Ultra Balls.


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Author
Meg Bethany Koepp
Meg is Managing Editor at Prima Games. She began as a video games journalist in the UK in 2014, and went on to study Games Journalism & PR (yes, it exists) in 2015. In 2018, she left university to move to the USA, where she eventually joined Prima Games in May 2022. When she's not working, you can find her making miniatures, training Pokémon, or playing Queen's Blood in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. You can contact Meg at [email protected].