Phuket Town is an excellent destination for anyone looking to get a glimpse of modern life in Thailand, although it has plenty of historical interest as well. Here you will still find a lot that caters to tourists, but more Thais frequent the shops and nightlife spots here than in some other cities. As the capital of Phuket, Phuket Town can’t help but be a happening place and it has many attractions to offer.
The Upside Down House is one of the newer fun places to go in Phuket Town and it will impress adults and kids alike. This house is three stories tall and is complete with furniture, but it is indeed upside down. Built on its roof, visitors tread on the house’s ceilings as they wander through its rooms, looking up at the furnishings hanging from the floor above. There is also a garden maze (A-Maze-In-Phuket) to add to the fun. Baan Teelanka is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults pay 200 baht.
The most visually appealing area of Phuket Town is the historical center, known as Phuket Old Town. Here you will see beautiful mansions built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Some buildings, especially shop-houses, are great examples of colonial Chinese architecture. Chinese shrines are also seen around this area. There are two markets and many shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore by day while at night Phuket Town has a good nightlife scene at its bars.
Another of Phuket Town’s markets is Phuket Walking Street, which is held each Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is held in a popular shopping area of Phuket Old Town and there are many bars and restaurants nearby. The stalls of the Walking Street Market sell a big variety of items including jewelry, electronics, crafts, clothing, and, of course, many local foods. Wandering this very popular market is a lot of fun and a great way to spend the afternoon. Almost everyone who visits Phuket Town comes here, so it attracts a large crowd of Thais and foreigners alike.
Located on Chao Fa West Road, Phuket Weekend Market is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Phuket Town. Here you will find all kinds of goods, from food and clothing to souvenirs and animals. Walking through the market can be fascinating experience, especially if you have never visited at Thai marketplace before. The prices are lower than what you will find near the ritzier resort areas. You can collect a few interesting items to take home or simply take your time sampling the many local foods available. The market is held on Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
One of Phuket Town’s Sino-colonial homes houses the Thai Hua Museum. The museum educates patrons about the history of Phuket and especially the lives of the Chinese who settled here. In fact, this mansion was recently the site of a school of Chinese langage. Here visitors can see art shows and the occasional festival. Art lovers and history buffs will appreciate the museum’s efforts to share Phuket’s interesting past and present. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone who would like to glimpse how wealthy families used to live in Phuket will appreciate a visit to this lovely Sino-colonial mansion not far from Krabi Road. Here you can explore several rooms of this impressive house, once the home of a mining tycoon who made his fortune in the tin industry. Because Baan Chinpracha is located in Old Phuket Town, you can also take the opportunity to explore the other interesting architecture and many boutiques nearby. The mansion is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, excluding Sunday.
This 3D painting museum will introduce you to the amazing art techniques that make pictures seem to come to life. The Phuket Trickeye Museum is one of the newest museums in Phuket but it has quickly become popular. People love to pose in front of the paintings, which depict everything from pop culture and films to historical scenes. Some even mimic classical paintings. Fun for individuals, groups of friends, and families with kids, you can’t miss with the Trickeye Museum. It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m at the intersection of Phang Nga and Montri Roads.