Phuket Town

Unfortunately most of Phuket's tourists fail to visit Phuket Town even if the historical center, the Old Town, is really worth a day trip with its beautifully ornated old shophouses, Buddhist and Chinese temples, some lovely museums and mangnificent Sino-Colonial mansions, once erected by Phuket's tin barons.

Many of these shophouses have covered arcades that join shops together and provide shelter from sun and rain for pedestrians. The architecture reflects both European (including Portuguese and British) and Chinese influence. The latter being the most important players in Phuket's tin mining industry in the 18th century and also in building Old Phuket Town.