Discovering Phuket’s Cultural Gems

Join us, as we explore the cultural gems of Phuket!

Shrine of the Serene Light

An example of a Chinese Taoist shrine worth visiting is the Shrine of the Serene Light. Whilst all of the shrines inject a fusion of colour into Phuket Town, the Shrine of the Serene Light is especially worth mentioning with its Taoist etchings on the walls and the vaulted ceiling stained from the incense plumes. The altar is always alive with fresh flowers and burning candles.

This particular shrine has been restored, and was built by a local family in the mid 1880s. In spite of the recent revamping of the exterior, the interior has been kept true to its original structure. There has been no rebuilding or repainting on the inside, which means that the old murals that adorn the walls still tell their ancient old stories. In front stand many old statues of Gods.

There is actually a ‘secret’ passageway leading to this shrine from the kitchen of a restaurant in the street behind it, Thalang Road. As this is still a place of worship, it is important to remember to be respectful of the culture found here, as you will find people paying their respects to this shrine.

This is truly a magical experience and you could easily stop by the Kopitiam afterwards for some lunch, or perhaps go for some roti and curry. The Shrine of the Serene Light is definitely a highlight of Phuket Town.

Phuket Thai Hua Museum

One of the most well-kept buildings in Phuket Town is the Phuket Thai Hua Museum. Set in an old Sino-Portuguese home, it is filled with photos and exhibits of Phuket’s history.

There are more than a dozen exhibition rooms, some showing films of Phuket’s history in Chinese or Thai, but with English subtitles. These short films can be found on both floors. Overall, this Museum is very good at showing Phuket’s history from a variety of different angles, as well as explaining the Phuket-China connection. This is interesting because this Museum building used to hold the Chinese-language school.

The last room is filled with photos of local dishes. If this makes you hungry, there is a wall in this room, which lists all the best local restaurants in the area. There are also other popular eateries, such as Kopitiam and Abdul’s Roti Shop situated nearby.

Seeking accommodation in Phuket? Do take a look at these villas!