JBR(3)(a) – HKT Day 1: Phuket Town
June 15, 2009 at 5:16 pm 2 comments
Immediately after dumping our stuff at the hotel, we drove to Phuket town for a walkabout based on the heritage trial drawn up in the Phuket Town Treasure Map.
Muang Phuket is the capital of Phuket and has a rich Sino-Chinese heritage thanks to the influx of Chinese immigrants during its tin mining hey days. The visible impact of these migrants are the town’s architecture and its Peranakan community.
The map taught us that the design of the Sino-Chinese shop fronts are meant to resemble a dragon’s face. The door is the mouth/nose, the side windows are the eyes, and the alcoves above the windows are the eyebrows.
Crazy craftsmanship on display.
One of the best lanes we walked along was Soi Romanee.
Buildings in this lane have been especially spruced up by the local council as part of the town’s ongoing efforts to attract more tourists.
Most have been converted into chic eateries and watering holes.
Our final stop was Rang Hill where we admired panoramic views of Phuket town and the coast.
Self-drive holiday going well so far.
Entry filed under: Architecture, Land/City-scapes, photography, Phuket, travel. Tags: architecture, baba nyonya, buildings, china inn, muang phuket, peranakan, phuket, phuket town, phuket town treasure map, rang hill, sino-chinese, soi romanee.
1.
neale | July 21, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Not many tourists get to Phuket Town your excellent pictures highlight what they are missing
one can also eat very well in Phuket town with many Chinese eateries.
Even though the origin is Chinese “Hokin I belive” the original settlers were from Penang “George Town” the similarities between the two town are very obvious as are the residents.
2.
rueykablooey | September 10, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Thanks, Neale! As you rightly pointed out, Phuket Town itself is often, unfortunately, overlooked by the tourists who hit Phuket.