The excellent Old Phuket Town offers many scenes of interest to the enthusiastic traveller. Historically and culturally rich, this sector of Phuket contains numerous quaint temples and shrines, well preserved elaborate shophouses, charming cafes, public as well as hidden museums, and small printing shops.
Of special importance is the unique Sino-Portuguese architecture which seemingly transports visitors to an earlier age with the overwhelming buildings remaining impressive to this day. This architecture is determined to be a result of European influences in the island.
Phuket
Old Phuket Town was created straight through the riches obtained straight through last century's tin boom, at which time the metal was a very necessary substance. In this part of the city the traveller will encounter imposing Sino-colonial stately homes, which were once the residences of Phuket's tin merchants. Numerous cafes and restaurants in the area mean that the visitor will never be in need of refreshment in this quarter.
Thalang Road is the hub of the Old Town, where Phuket's previous centre of commerce was based. Today the quaint shophouses are used as market vending such fascinating goods as handicrafts and herbal Chinese medicines. Interestingly these shophouses and similar residences are far longer than they are wide, with lattice worked frontal areas. Numerous Old Town streets highlight archways and arcades which join shops together and offer shelter for pedestrians.
On Dibuk Road the visitor will find more relics of Phuket's past; 'Dibuk' means tin in Thai. Sublime features are a French restaurant as well as arts and textile shops. Soi Romani in nearnessy to Thalang Road, has an fascinating past; it once functioned as a red light district which attracted the innumerable Chinese labourers who arrived in the area to work in the tin mines.
The Amulet shop is an exotic place where innumerable stands and tiny shops sell Buddha images and amulets. This is a reflection of the residents' Buddhist cultural background, with many wearing these items on their someone as a part of their daily life.
Soi Romani, Thalang Road and Krabi Road located around host the every year Old Town Cultural Festival each February celebrating Phuket's affinity with China as well as the Straits Chinese of Singapore and Malaysia, known as 'Baba'. The residents attire themselves in the customary 'Yaya' fashion and a historically based sound and light show is held in one of the mansions of the locale.
Old Phuket Town - A Historical Showpiece
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