The China Inn Cafe & Restaurant (photo by: thebeachfrontclub.com)
Old Phuket Town is a historical quarter in Phuket Town consists of Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, Krabi Road, Rasada Road and Phang Nga Road. In the 18th century, Phuket experienced a boom in the tin mining industry and attracted lots of Hokkien Chinese into town, few of which were rich tin barons and the rest were tin mine workers. Later on Phuket saw the arrival of British and Portuguese when the Governor then invited large European mining companies into the industry. This chapter in Phuket history is well reflected in Old Phuket Town with architectures of Chinese, Sino-Portuguese and Sino-Colonial styles.
Sino-Portuguese buildings in Old Phuket Town are typically shop-houses of 5 meters wide and 50 meters long, known as “tiam choo” in Hokkien. In the previous centuries, front part of the building functioned as the shop facade, while the inner part was the family’s living space with kitchen, living area, bathroom, bedrooms and so on. Today, some of the buildings have been converted into restaurants and cafes including The Dibuk Grill & Bar, The China Inn Cafe & Restaurant, and The House of the Beautiful Images, while some have become shops selling handicrafts, textiles, clothes, garden accessories, and Chinese medicine.
Sino-Colonial buildings are also known as “angmor lao” in Hokkien, which literally means European mansions. The most well-known Sino-Colonial building is probably Baan Chin Pracha (or “Phra Phitak Chyn Pracha Mansion”) built by Chinese tin baron Phra Phitak in 1903. Today, the building remains in its original condition including the inner courtyard, kitchen with old-style cooking pots, European and Chinese furniture, and vintage Italian tiles.
Around Old Phuket Town, you will also notice quite a number of Chinese shrines and temples dated since the 18th century. These include “Pud Jow” Taoist Temple built some 200 years ago, and Shrine of the Serene Light built in 1889. Another well-known shrine is the “Jui Tui Shrine” where people can ask questions of yes or no with bamboo blocks to get advice.
The Memory at On On Hotel is another important spot in Old Phuket Town. Previously known as On On Hotel, it was the first hotel ever in Phuket built in year 1929 for tin traders. Today, this hotel is a favourite pick among backpackers. Other attractions in Old Phuket Town include “Soi Rommanee”, the red light district in the previous centuries which is now a street with bars, cafes and guesthouses, Suriyadate Fountain which spouts water with an old water canon used for tin mining, and Thai Hua Museum for the history of the town.
| How to get there: | ||
Old Phuket Town is located within Phuket Town covering Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, Krabi Road, Rasada Road and Phang Nga Road, and can be explored on foot.
| Opening hour and entrance fee: | ||
Varied by shop and attraction.
| Recommended Hotels in Phuket, Thailand |
||
| Centara Grand Beach Beach Resort (5 stars) | ||
| Location: Karon | Rating: Fantastic! | ||
| Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villa (5 stars) | ||
| Location: Mai Khao | Rating: Very Good! | ||
| Baan Laimai Beach Resort (4 stars) | ||
| Location: Patong | Rating: Very Good! | ||
| The Nap Patong Hotel (4 stars) | ||
| Location: Patong | Rating: Fantastic! | ||
| Burasari Resort Phuket (4 stars) | ||
| Location: Patong | Rating: Fantastic! | ||
| Browse all Phuket Hotels >> |
Comments on this entry are closed.