Phuket attractions
With nearly four million foreign visitors to Phuket annually, the island is without doubt one of Thailand’s most important attractions. So, just what brings them to this southern province?
Apart from some stunning natural beauty and an excellent hospitality industry, Phuket also has a number of attractions to fill its tourist brochure. And although it doesn’t have the cultural depth of some other destinations in Thailand, there are plenty of reasons to get off the beach and do some sightseeing.
The beaches along the west coast, with its various viewpoints, are among the most popular attractions. On daytrips, you can visit some fantastic seascapes and national parks farther a field. Phuket Town itself has a measure of historic legacy and intrigue, while the rest of the island has several pretty waterfalls and areas.
Here are the most popular attractions in Phuket; we’ve given approximate locations, but we suggest you use a free tourist map for navigation.
Phuket Beaches
This is what everyone has come to see, and there are nine pretty crescent bays along the west coast, each worth dropping in on to experience their differing characters. The viewpoint in the south above Kata Noi beach offers an excellent perspective of these tropical beauties with – in the high season - their calm, clear waters and white sand.
Open: always
Admission: free
Promthep Cape Phuket
A popular place at sunset for the tour buses, there are good views and an interesting landmark dedicated to a maritime-minded prince. Look out for the hundreds of small elephant statues left here.
Open: always
Admission: free
Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre Phuket
Located within the Khao Phra Taeo national park close to Bang Pae Waterfall, this small sanctuary has been rescuing gibbons for a decade from the markets and tourist venues. Their trademark ‘singing’ is distinctive and there are a number of volunteers on hand to give you a good introduction to these apes. Bang Pae Waterfall, Pa Khlock, Thalang, 076 260 491-2,gibbon@poboxes.com , open: daily, 09.00 to 16.00 admission: by donation Thai 20 baht, foreigners 200 baht.
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
This park offers the best of Phuket’s lush landscape, a protected sanctuary with two lovely waterfalls; Bang Phae and Ton Sai, which are accessible by nature trail. Located in the far north of the island. There is a waterfall in Kathu, closer to Patong, if you would rather not pay the exorbitant park fee. 254 Moo 2, Thepkrasattri Rd., Thalang, 076 311 998, open: daily, 08.30 to 16.30, admission: Thai: Free, foreigner (adult/child): 200/100 baht.
Phuket Fantasea
Highly recommended for the whole family, this Vegas-style extravaganza is staged every evening in a large auditorium and theme park. It includes a menagerie of animals, circus acts, comedians and Thai cultural displays, and a disappearing elephant magic act devised by David Copperfield. Located in Kamala, but extensive shuttles are provided. Multiple winner of Thailand Tourism Awards Best Attraction.99 Moo 3, Kamala Beach, 076 385 000, info@phuket-fantasea.com,open: daily except Thur, Show Time 21:00-22.15, admission: 1,500 Baht. at the box office or agent.
Old Phuket Town
In the heart of the old town, these three streets have the best preserved Chinese shophouses, some dating back almost 100 years. They also have grand mansions in the Sino-Portuguese architectural style, remnants of Phuket’s tin boom. These days, many of these mansions, which were in poor repair, have been leased out and are being rehabilitated. Well worth a quiet stroll, with the occasional stop for a coffee, a beer or lunch.
Open: always, admission: free.
Talang road Phuket
This is the one part of Phuket Town that really stands out and offers a glimpse of the wealthy legacy as a strategic trading port on the Andaman coast. Here you’ll find grand Sino-Portuguese styled mansions in various states of repair.
Open: limited access to properties, admission: free.
The Government Quarter
Dating mostly from the same period as the old town, the Government quarter includes the Provincial Hall, the old court and the prison (still in use, see below). The old architecture is complemented by massive trees that keep the roads cool for a quiet stroll. Around the verandah of the Provincial Hall is a fascinating display of photos of old Phuket.
Open: always, admission: free.
Phuket Prison
This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can tour Phuket Prison. You’ll need to book, and are asked (especially the ladies) to “dress well”. One aim of these tours is to convince foreigners that Thai gaols are not as bad as books and movies make them out to be. The prison can accept parties of up to 10 people at a time. There is also a prison shop selling crafts made by inmates. Call 076-212104 or 076-214689 to book.
Open: By appointment, admission: free.
Wat Chalong
The grandest and most visited of the Buddhist temples on the island, and although Phuket doesn’t boast the long historical legacy of other centres, this particular temple near Phuket Town has a soaring unconventional pagoda/chedi which offers something more cultured to the tourist trail. At the top of the chedi is a glass case containing a chip of bone supposedly from the Buddha. Worth the climb for the views.
Open: daily, 08.00 to 17.00, admission: free .
Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai Village
Located just outside Phuket Town, this 1,600m2 orchid garden displays the rich cultural heritage of orchid cultivation in Thailand, and also puts on regular cultural shows demonstrating traditional Thai dance and music. P.O. Box 330 Thepkrasattri Rd., 076 237 400, tvhkt@loxinfo.co.th., open: daily, 08.00 to 17.00, show time 13.00 and 17.00 17.30, admission: Thai: 150 baht, foreigners: 600 baht
Phuket Zoo
A professionally run private zoo that is ideal for entertaining bored kids, and features shows almost every hour starring monkeys, crocodiles and elephants. There are more than 12 acres of lovely gardens full of Asian and other animals, and it includes a bird park, aquarium and orchid garden. Located south of Phuket Town.23/2 Moo 3, Soi Palai, Chaofah Rd., 076 374 424, info@phuketzoo.com, open: daily, 08.30 to 18:00, show time: monkey shows: 09.00, 12.00, 14.30, 16.45, crocodile shows: 09.45, 12.45, 15.15, 17.30, Elephant Shows: 10.30, 13.30, 16.00, admission: Thai (adult/child) 100/40 baht, foreigners (adult/child) 500/300 baht.
Open: daily, 08.30 to 17.30; tel. 076 -374424, 282043
Admission: 500 baht
Phuket Shell Museum
This exemplary museum dedicated entirely to shells has a remarkable collection of rare, local and fossilised shells in a modern building. Highlights include the world’s largest golden pearl (140 carats apparently) and a 250kg shell. If you have the time, a stop here is well worth it. The owners of the museum are obsessed with molluscs and have themselves discovered several species. Located just north of Rawai. 12/2 Viset Rd., Rawai Beach, 076 613 666, open: daily 08.00 to 17.30, admission: Thai (adult/child) 100/50 baht, foreigners: (adult/child) 200/100 baht.
Thalang National Museum
Part of the National Fine Arts Department collection of local museums, this under-developed museum, located near the Heroine Monument, is nonetheless fascinating for its historical reference on Phuket and a number of impressive artefacts such as the 9th century Vishnu statue discovered in the jungle in 1900, a relic of the region’s pre-Buddhist Hindu era. Near Heroines' Monument on Pa Khlok (airport) road, 076 379 895, open: daily except public; daily 08.30 to 16.30, admission: Thai 20 baht, foreigners: 100 baht.
Chinese temples
There are several of these around Phuket Town and they are noticeable for their colourful and detailed decorations, featuring dragons and other mythical creatures. The best example is the Shrine of the Serene Light (off Phang Nga road), dating back 200 years.
Open: daily, all hours, admission: free.
Kao Rung hill Phuket
This is a park on a hillock overlooking Phuket Town which offers good views and is popular with locals enjoying evening exercise. The town’s other main hill, To Sae, is home to dozens of macaque monkeys – fascinating to watch, but keep your distance.
Open: always, admission: free
Phuket Market
A quintessential Asian experience, this market is a hive of activity in the mornings and evenings as a traditional habit for locals looking to pick up fresh fish, food of all types and other knick knacks. Located in the heart of the city, it’s a cornucopia of sights and smells that most tourists never get to experience. The old building housing the market was torn down a couple of years ago and has now been replaced by a fine new edifice.
Open: daily, early mornings and evenings, admission: free.
Heroines Monument
You can’t miss this one when you arrive from the airport, as the main highway passes the traffic circle enclosing these statues of two sisters who saved the island from marauding Burmese by forewarning them.
Open: always, admission: free.
The Big Buddha
You can’t miss this one ,it’s located on the ridge separating Kata from Chalong. Work on the Big Buddha (officially named the Phra Putamingmongkol) started ten years ago and is still not complete; work is done when donations permit. The statue, 49 metres in height, is built of concrete sheathed in white marble. Make a donation, and you can write your name on building materials that eventually will become part of the statue. Spectacular views.
Location: Kathu district, entrance from Chao Fa Road West, Chalong.
Open: daytime, admission: free.
The Phuket Tin Mining Museum
Recently opened and not widely promoted – and therefore usually very quiet – the tin museum on the back roads between Phuket Town and Kathu gives interesting insights into Phuket’s pre-tourist history, when tin mining was king. Some fascinating dioramas.Near British International School, off Thepkrasattree Rd. Open: 08:00 to 16:00 except Sunday, admission: free at present, though a donation is welcome.
Updated: January 2010
