Old Phuket Town
Address:
Phuket,
Description:
Old Phuket Town is the oldest part of the city, built over 100 years ago. An ideal area to spend an afternoon strolling, Old Phuket Town offers plenty of visual contrasts –Stoic monks walking by grandiose Sino-colonial mansions and chic restaurants next to amulet markets and ancient shrines. Probably the most famous part of town is Soi Romanee, which used to be Phuket's "red light district" street. Today, Romanee is home to some of the best cafes in town. You can spend a whole day strolling around Old Phuket Town and still not see it all. If you have time, come back the next day to continue exploring. Great spots to visit include the 19th-century Shrine of the Serene Light, Nguan Choon Tong (a Chinese herbal supply shop), the Thai Hua Museum and the Phra Phitak Chyn Pracha Mansion, located on massive well-manicured gardens open to explorers (for a fee).