Located in Amphoe Thalang, about 20 km from Phuket City, Khao Phra Thaeo is a stretch of virgin forest that actively conserves a rich variety of wild animals, which would otherwise become extinct in fast-growing Phuket. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969, the forest is home to langurs, barking deer, mouse deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, porcupines, macaques, reptiles, lizards and several species of birds. Amongst the flora is the rare Governor's Palm.

Wat Chalong

Chaithararam Temple, more generally known by the locals as Wat Chalong, is Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple and is the biggest and most ornate of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist monasteries. The temple is associated with two revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who during the tin miners’ rebellion of 1876 helped and treated the injured on both sides. They also mediated in the rebellion, bringing the warring parties together to resolve their dispute. The Phra Mahathat Chedi contains a relic of the Lord Buddha.

Sino-Portuguese architecture

Old Town Phuket was built on the fortunes of the tin miners during the second half of the 19th century, Chinese immigrants who had made their fortunes and settled down to raise families. The architectural style of these mansions and shop houses can be seen in Malacca, in Malaysia, and also in Singapore. This part of the city is a gem of Sino-Portuguese architecture, characterised by Chinese style roofs and window patterns on the second floor, while graceful arches and columns form an arcade at street level. The centre of the building is usually open to the elements, creating a light and peaceful courtyard that is several degrees cooler than the surrounding tropical heat. Thalang Road, off of Yaowarat Road, hosts many of the oldest Sino-Portuguese style buildings in Phuket Town and walking tours are highly recommended.

Chinese Temples

There is a large population of Chinese in Phuket, and consequently a number of Chinese Taoist temples and shrines, with several ornate ones being located in Phuket Town. They are dedicated to particular gods and at certain times of the year become extremely busy. Of particular interest are the Put Jor and Jui Tui shrines on Ranong Road, the Shrine of the Serene Light tucked away off Phang Nga Road, and the Sam San shrine on Krabi Road near the junction with Patiphat Road.

Saphan Hin Mining Monument

A land reclamation project provided abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Saphan Hin, located where Phuket Road meets the sea in Phuket Town. In the centre is the Tin Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit and dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian who brought the first tin dredge to Phuket in 1909. The monument was built in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of tin dredging in Phuket.

Monument of the Two Heroines

Located at Tha Rua, near the centre of the island, the figures of the two heroic sisters Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Soontorn stand side by side on a decorated marble plinth. Built by local residents and unveiled in 1967, the monument commemorates the bravery of these two girls who were instrumental in the defeat of the Burmese invaders in 1785. By disguising hundreds of women in army uniforms and parading them through the town, they tricked the enemy into believing that they were troop reinforcements from Bangkok. The Burmese withdrew and the island was liberated.