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The bustling and vibrant Phuket Town in Thailand is often overlooked as a tourist destination. However, Phuket Town has a lot to offer tourists in terms of attractions and activities. The busy town is a perfect combination of the old and the new and the simple and the complicated. It has historical monuments, hip nightlife centres, traditional Chinese shrines, and classy eating joints. Read on to know more about some of the best attractions of Phuket Town.
Historical Phuket Old Town
Explore Phuket Old Town to get an insight into the historical past of Phuket. The Phuket Old Town boasts of well-preserved and beautifully maintained mansions as well as Chinese Shrines and Buddhist temples. These structures proudly reflect their Sino-colonial architectural style. Explore the colourful restaurants, charming coffee-shops, and quaint boutiques and bars.
Shrine of the Serene Light
The restored Chinese shrine, known as the Shrine of the Serene Light, is a must-visit attraction. There are several brightly coloured Chinese temples in Phuket Town; however, none can match the serenity and spiritual aura reflected by this shrine. The Shrine of the Serene Light is located atop a 50m alley and is said to have been built by a local family somewhere around the 1890s. The temple is popular for its peaceful atmosphere and has beautiful Taoist engravings on the walls. The lingering smell of fresh flowers and burning incense add lots of character to the place.
Phuket Trickeye Museum
Visit the charming Phuket Trickeye Museum to enjoy some fun-filled moments. The contemporary museum, which was opened in 2014, displays some brilliant works created by the art of trompe-l’oeil (French for ‘deceive the eye’) painting technique. The museum is full of three dimensional paintings creating illusions and offers visitors amazing photo opportunities and fun. Explore the 100 – odd paintings ranging from classical creations with a twist to movie scenes to scenes of modern life.
Thavorn Hotel
Enter this charming historical building, the Thavorn Hotel, located in Phuket Town. The hotel was first opened in 1961 and was a five-star accommodation at the time. It remains one of the oldest running hotels in the region. Discover its old sheen as you walk past the wood-panelled memorabilia-packed interiors, huge wooden staircase, and in-house museum containing tin toys, old movie projectors, musical instruments, and historical photographs.
Phuket Walking Street
The bustling Phuket Walking Street is a must-visit attraction to experience the busy street markets of Thailand’s Phuket. The Phuket Walking Street is a very popular street market-cum-fair, which is held on Sundays on the Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town. During the weekly event, a large number of stalls crop up on the streets at this place selling a huge variety of items such as handcrafted accessories, trendy jewellery, souvenirs, and clothing. Also, there are many local food stalls selling authentic Thai and Chinese knick-knacks.