- Phuket Old Town
is the historical centre of Phuket Town (officially elevated to Phuket City since 2004, but its old name is still wildly used). Established during the peak of tin mining industry at the end of the 19th Century and beginning of 20th century, this district hosts superb mansions and beautifully preserved ‘shop-houses’ built in a Sino-colonial architecture. Phuket Old Town’s aspect is rather similar to Georgetown’s in Penang:
‘shop-houses’ with arcades flank both sides of the streets, and Chinese shrines are more numerous than Buddhist Temples. Phuket Old Town is in constant evolution with the opening of many restaurants, coffee-shops, boutiques and bars, making it a lively place to hang around after sunset; during daytime, it remains an important commercial hub with the two markets held on Ranong Road; and every Sundays, Phuket Walking Street is an extremely popular event held on Thalang Road that attracts thousands of visitors.
2. Khao Rang
Khao Rang (Rang Hill in English) is the second highest summit in Phuket Town. Located in the north-western part of the city it is covered with lush vegetation and permit to take a breath of fresh air in a peaceful environment. Rang Hill summit is a famous for the views it offers out over the town and to Phuket Island’s south eastern coast and the islands lying off at a short distance (Phuket Big Buddha can also be seen from here). The other highlights of Khao Rang are a Buddhist temple – Wat Khao Rang – that features a large sitting golden Buddha (the first ever built in Phuket); an exercise park near the summit (slightly overrun but still usable); three restaurants – two of them, Tung Ka Café and Khao Rang Breeze are at the top of the hill while the third one, Phuket View, is located on the way up; and right next to Khao Rang Breeze restaurant, a beautifully landscaped grassy spot for picnickers with a bronze statue of the Governor of Phuket during King Rama V’s reign.
Opening Hours: Daily
Location: two roads lead to the top of Khao Rang: one is right next to Vachira Hospital on Yaowarat Road, and the other starts off Mae Luan Road next to Cham Chae Joo Hoot shrine.
- Wat Khao Rang
Wat Khao Rang (or Sumnak Song Khao Rang) enjoys a great location in Phuket Town, sitting on the slope of the popular Khao Rang (Rang Hill). This is where visitors can discover a large golden sitting Buddha – the first of its kind on the island. This charming temple is busy at weekends when locals pay a visit. Many tour companies bringing tourists to the Phuket and Andaman region usually include this temple in their tour itinerary together with Khao Rang Viewpoint and Khao Rang restaurants (see Tung Ka Café & Restaurant)
Opening Hours: Daily from about 08:00 – late afternoon.
Location: Khao Rang Hill, Phuket Town. Take the road Soi Vachira, leading from the Vachira Hospital, the temple is a few hundred metres up on the right.
- Khao Rang View
khao Rang Viewpoint – sometimes called Rang Hill Viewpoint– is among the most famous of the many viewpoints around Phuket. The charming location offers unrivalled views to the south, right across the island’s main city and all the way to the Big Buddha, atop the hills in the distance. Some of the small, verdant islands off Phuket’s east coast are also visible. The viewpoint itself is mark
ed with a beautiful open pagoda, which leads out to a large viewing platform at the edge of the hilltop, with guardrails for safety. The whole area is surrounded by landscaped gardens and mature rubber trees, making it a very peaceful and natural spot .
4. Phuket Trickeye Museum
Phuket Trickeye Museum is a recent addition (opened early 2014) to Phuket Town’s attractions scene. This original and family friendly museum is entirely dedicated to the art of trompe-l’oeil (French for ‘deceive the eye’), a painting technique that creates a three dimensional illusion on a two dimensional (flat) support. Set in a large two-storey building at the intersection of Montri and Phang Nga roads, Phuket Trickeye Museum displays a gallery of something like 100 paintings offering great photo opportunities as well as a lot of fun. Sample photos are available to indicate visitors how they should position themselves in front of the paintings in a way to take the most realistic illusional picture (it also means that the experience is better with friends so you could take each others photos). From classic paintings with a twist to scenes of modern life to historical settings to movie scenes, visitors travel a lot geographically and through time in this highly amusing museum; children especially like it.
5. Siam Niramit Phuket
Siam Niramit Phuket is a great theatrical show relating Thai historical, artistical and cultural facts and beliefs in an extravagant yet extremely professionally run performance. Siam Niramit Phuket complex is located just off the By-Pass Road in the outskirts of Phuket Town. Divided in three acts, the show features songs, dance routines and traditional martial arts. From the stage décor to the lighting to the special effects to the costumes, everything in the show has been very well thought-out, and the result is spectacular and as educational as entertaining. It is suggested to arrive early to visit the surrounding attractions and facilities made of traditional Thai-style houses, a floating market, and souvenir shops. There is a restaurant located at the third floor of the building at which guests can enjoy an impressive view over the complex’s lake and landscaping.
Opening Hours: The show runs once a day, six days a week, and is closed on Tuesdays
Show Time: 20:30.
Theatre gates open at 20:00. Its attractions and facilities open at 17:30
Location: Just off the By-Pass Road between Tesco-Lotus Supermarket and the Airport Road junction, Phuket Town.
6. Baan Teelanka – The Upside Down
Baan Teelanka – The Upside Down House is an extravagant new attraction in Phuket. Located on the By-pass Road one kilometre after Premium Outlet Phuket when heading South, Baan Teelanka is a fully furnished three-storey house built literally leaning on its roof. The first impression when visiting this house is that you just went down the rabbit-hole too far: all furniture and even a fish tank (fishes as well swim upside down!) hang from the floor as you walk on the ceiling from room to room; visiting Baan Teelanka is indeed a fun and brain-puzzling experience. The house’s garden is not upside down (yet) but also offers what could be a ‘timeless’ experience: a maze; you know at what time you enter the maze but you do not know at what time you will get out from it! Baan Teelanka and A-Maze-in-Phuket are real fun and family friendly attractions. Drinks and snacks are available onsite.
Opening Hours: From 10:00-18:00
Location: two kilometres from the North entrance of the By-pass Road.
Not Belongs to Me