Phuket, the “Pearl of Asia,” is Thailand’s largest island and a pristine vacation destination. The ensemble of light blue skies and deep blue waters exudes tropical island charm.
Must-See Attractions
Wat Chalong
Phuket: Big Buddha, Karon View Point, Wat Chalong Guided Tour
Phuket’s largest and most colorful temple. It tells the story of three monks, Luang Pho Chaem, Luang Pho Chuang and Luang Por Gluam, who showed extraordinary abilities to cure diseases. In 1876, during the reign of King Rama V, more than 25,000 mine workers revolted, and the monks treated both government and rebel soldiers who were wounded. The monks of Luang Pho Chuang are also known for their many battles and victories during the Myanmar invasion. Buddhist Thais and other Asian travelers stop by to make offerings of lotus flowers or gold leaf, or to shake a shan (bamboo branch) containing fortune-telling sticks. More recently, a 61-meter Thai-style pagoda has been constructed, with a bone fragment of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka enshrined atop.
Patong Beach
Private Transfer from Phuket (HKT) Airport to Patong Beach
Phuket’s best beach. ‘Patong’ means ‘banana field’, and indeed, bananas used to be produced in this area. The waves are calm and the water is shallow, making it ideal for swimming and other water sports. Beach Road was one of the earliest developments in Phuket and is home to hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and other amenities.
Promthep Cape View Point
Coral Island ,Sunset at Promthep cape & Laem Krating
The best sunset spot on the Andaman Sea, which stretches all the way to Malaysia, Myanmar, and Indonesia. It is the southernmost cape on Phuket and is also known as the “Sunset Hill”. After leaving the parking lot behind and climbing the stairs, you’ll find an open plaza, and as you approach the sea, the headland juts out into the ocean at the end of a soft coastline below a cliff. This is the best vantage point for watching the sunset. On one side of the square is the Kanchanaphisek Lighthouse. Built in 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the recently deceased King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s ninth king, it displays lighthouse equipment used in the past. Admission is free. Next to the lighthouse museum is a small shrine with numerous elephant and Buddha statues.
Khao Rang Hill,
View Point
This viewpoint offers a great view of Phuket Town. On a clear day, you can even see Siree Island in Phang Nga Bay. Behind the viewpoint is a small park, where you’ll often find troops of monkeys that have come down from the nearby mountains to watch the tourists. It’s a favorite date spot for Phuket locals, and there are plenty of cafes with views nearby. Bun Wee is best at dusk, but don’t go up the mountain alone late at night. There’s no transportation back down, so it’s best to arrange with a taxi or tuk-tuk driver to meet you at the bottom.
Rawai Beach,
the locals’ seafood market
The seafood market is where you’ll find some of the freshest and most affordable seafood in Phuket. Rawai, a fishing village where fishing boats come and go, has a long row of shops along the shoreline, with shops selling vegetables and seafood on the beach side and restaurants on the opposite side. Originally, the beach was a stretch of white sand, but when a breakwater was built, people laid out mats and ate on them, and one by one, tables were set up. You could buy seafood and vegetables and have them cooked to your liking at the restaurant.
Chin Pracha House,
the first Sino-Colonial building in Phuket
Phuket City and Sightseeing & Old Phuket Town Tour
Chin Pracha House is the earliest Sino-Colonial house built on Phuket. It was built in 1903 by Phitak Chinpracha, an immigrant from China. It was the residence of a tycoon who grew up in the tin industry, but after Chinpracha’s death, it was transformed into a private house museum by his distant relative Khun Pracha Tandavanitj. The wealthy house features a living room, indoor garden, kitchen, bedrooms, and more, while the interior displays furniture and household items that belonged to the owner’s ancestors. It’s a fascinating glimpse into a family’s history spanning more than 100 years. The mansion was featured in the movie The Killing Fields and the TV series The Chronicles of Young Indiana Jones, and for an additional fee, you can dress up in traditional Phuket clothing.
Experience/Must-Do
Hanuman World,
a zipline in the rainforest
Hanuman World Zip-line Experience
There’s a new attraction for those who love the ocean but don’t like to get wet. You can fly through the rainforest like Superman. Hanuman World offers a Zip Line, Sky Walker, Roller Zip Line, and Abseil, which is a ride down a zip line. Hanuman World is set in a sprawling rainforest, where you can travel from platform to platform on a zip line that uses trees as platforms. The longest section is a whopping 400 meters. The roller zipline takes you 800 meters in two minutes while suspended on a zipline, which is fast enough to make your neck snap back. At Hanuman World, safety is the number one priority. All equipment is PETZL, imported from France, and trained lifeguards are on hand to help you through the entire experience.
Bangla Road,
the center of Phuket nightlife
Phuket Nightlife Thrills in Bangla Road and Muay Thai Boxing
Bangla Road, which runs from the entrance to Patong Beach to Lautit Street, is the best example of how Phuket’s nights are better than its days. Open-air cafes, bars, clubs, massage parlors, and restaurants line both sides of the narrow street, making it Phuket’s busiest nightlife district. At 6pm, the road becomes pedestrianized and the colorful lights and loud music continue until dawn. Ninety percent of Bangla Road is beer bars, with the next most common being clubs and agogos. Clubs offer drink coupons that can be redeemed for drinks at the bar for an entrance fee. Many offer free entry for women. Agogos are places where you can watch dancers perform bong dancing. Gay bars are located in the alleys near the Paradise Hotel. Neither Agogo nor the gay bars are shady places to avoid at all costs, but keep in mind that they’re not completely safe. There are some places with decadent businesses, so be careful. Of course, the closer you are to the main street, the safer it is.
