Phuket is the most visited and the largest island in Thailand, Situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea temperatures vary from between 21 degrees and 34 degrees centigrade. Arriving from all over the world the tourists flock for relaxation and adventure in the sandy beaches, blue waters, enjoy the spicy Thai cuisine, and excellent snorkelling and diving. It has an amazing climate with warm, sunny days all around the year. Phuket also boasts a broad array of cultural and entertainment attractions, ranging from the clubs of lively Patong to national parks, serene temples and engaging museums. It is an easy to access destination, especially from Bangkok.
Below we list few of the places that are not to miss while travelling to Phuket.
It is the Phuket's longest beach and the most beautiful one. But recently has been turned into a bustling hub of activity rather than a retreat from the world. It is jam-packed with hundreds of restaurants, bars, disco and nightclubs most of which are surrounded by the Bangla Road. Many resorts are strung along the beach road, and one of the island's best hotels, the luxury Amari Phuket, perches on a headland overlooking the sea.
Located above the island at the top of Nakkerd hills between Kata and Chalong, the Phuket Big Buddha is one of the island's most attractive landmarks. There is an energy pulse with the tinkling bells and flapping flags. Pay your respects at the tented golden shrine, then step up to the glorious plateau, where you can peer into Kata’s perfect bay, glimpse the shimmering Karon strand and, to the southeast, survey the pebble-sized Channel Islands of Chalong Bay. It also serves as a museum narrating the history of Buddha.
Build in the 19th century, it is one of the most religious and most visited Buddhist temples in the city. Located near the Big Buddha it is one of the places to be visited in Phuket. It is dedicated to two highly respected monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, and you can see life-size wax models of them and other figures in the exhibition home. Locals come to pray and Westerners come to learn something about Buddhism. The temple is open from seven in the morning to five in the afternoon. There is a particular dress code to be followed when visiting the temple, wearing shoes inside the temple aren’t allowed and women are told to cover their shoulders and knees.
Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket has gained its popularity in the recent time due to its attitude towards animals. The emphasis at these camps is on ethical, animal-friendly interaction with these majestic creatures, many of whom have been rescued or retired from the local logging and elephant trekking industries. If meeting an elephant is one of the things on your bucket list then a trio to these sanctuaries is a must. Tourism is not the primary objective of these sanctuaries but the money raised from them are used to provide food, shelter and care to these wild ones. The half-day tour at the sanctuary starts from meeting at Monkeypod Coffee House, on the main road. It also features an educational presentation on the work of the sanctuary and, of course, the opportunity to meet the elephants.